The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), in collaboration with the CGIAR Climate Action Science Program, invites applications for consultancy assignments from highly qualified individuals or teams of researchers. This exciting opportunity involves undertaking rigorous evidence synthesis and systematic reviews on climate change and agri-food systems. The call targets professionals and research institutions with a demonstrated ability to execute high-quality academic and policy-relevant syntheses using recognized methodologies.
Five individual evidence syntheses will be commissioned as part of this call. Applicants are welcome to submit proposals for one or more topics, provided each proposal addresses only one topic area. These consultancy positions are remote and may involve occasional travel to Kenya. The consultancies will run for nine months, commencing around August or September 2025.
About ILRI
ILRI works to improve food security and nutrition and reduce poverty in developing countries through research on livestock. It is one of 15 CGIAR research centers and the only one focused exclusively on animal agriculture for the developing world. Co-hosted by Kenya and Ethiopia, ILRI has projects across Asia and Africa. ILRI’s research is interdisciplinary and spans topics from animal health and productivity to livestock-related environmental sustainability.
Consultancy Scope and Areas of Focus
ILRI invites evidence synthesis proposals covering any of the following broad areas, all within the context of countries in the Global South (Africa, Asia, and South America). Each topic is open to either broad or narrow scopes depending on the applicants’ focus.
Topic 1: Impacts of Climate Change on Agri-Food Systems
This topic targets evidence synthesis on climate change effects across multiple layers of agri-food systems. It includes the following sub-themes:
1.1. Impacts on health — this may include human (physical or mental), animal, or environmental health — with attention to climate-induced extreme events like heatwaves, droughts, or floods.
1.2. Economic and livelihood impacts — including income, GDP, and economic growth losses, particularly examining the linkage between climate-induced hazards and economic or non-economic loss and damage in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
1.3. Impacts on vulnerable groups — such as women, Indigenous Peoples, smallholder producers, and marginalized communities — in their farming, livestock, or fishing activities.
1.4. Impacts on ecosystems and landscapes — including biodiversity, water quality, land degradation, and soil health.
Topic 2: Effectiveness of Adaptation Measures in Agriculture
This topic evaluates the impact and cost-effectiveness of various adaptation strategies aimed at enhancing agri-food system resilience. Sub-topics include:
2.1. Climate information systems, early warnings, and agro-advisories and their ability to reduce climate risks for smallholders.
2.2. Insurance products that mitigate climate-related agricultural risks.
2.3. Agronomic and genetic innovations (like drought-tolerant seeds) combined with on-farm management strategies.
2.4. The role of migration and off-farm livelihoods as climate adaptation strategies.
2.5. The value of socio-technical bundles and locally-led adaptation principles in designing effective climate responses.
Topic 3: Mitigation and Low Emissions Pathways in Agri-Food Systems
This topic explores how mitigation strategies can reduce emissions without compromising food security. Areas of focus include:
3.1. Emissions reduction strategies specific to agri-food systems in the Global South.
3.2. Approaches to reduce nitrous oxide emissions from fertilizers.
3.3. Analysis of land and water use changes affecting their role as carbon sinks.
3.4. The agri-food sector’s role in driving deforestation and R&D capacity development.
3.5. Strategies to reduce energy use and emissions along agri-food value chains.
Topic 4: Climate Finance and National R&D Systems
This theme focuses on how finance and innovation systems can better serve marginalized food system actors:
4.1. The effectiveness of current climate finance mechanisms and institutional linkages in advancing agri-food transitions in the Global South.
4.2. The capacity of national agricultural research and development organizations to address climate change in the agri-food sector.
Topic 5: Innovations in Methodologies for Measuring Climate Impact and Response
This topic addresses methodological advancements for impact measurement:
5.1. Quantifying climate impacts on food, land, and water systems and the resulting socio-economic effects.
5.2. Measuring the effectiveness of adaptation strategies in reducing risk, with a focus on smallholder farmers.
5.3. Emissions measurement methodologies within agri-food systems, especially Tier 2 and Tier 3 methodologies.
Methodology Requirements
The evidence synthesis must employ systematic approaches such as:
- Clearly defined protocol with inclusion/exclusion criteria.
- Scoping and mapping reviews or full systematic reviews/meta-analyses.
- Scientometric analysis for areas lacking peer-reviewed literature.
- Literature reviews across multiple databases and grey literature.
- Detailed synthesis to identify knowledge gaps and trends.
Expected Deliverables and Timeline (Over 9 Months)
- Month 1: Inception report
- Month 2: First draft of protocol for scoping review and systematic maps
- Month 3: Final protocol published on a public repository (e.g., CGSpace)
- Month 4: First draft of scoping review and systematic map
- Month 5: Final scoping review submitted to a journal or published publicly
- Month 6: First draft protocol for systematic review/meta-analysis
- Month 7: Final protocol published on a public repository
- Month 8: First draft of systematic review/meta-analysis
- Month 9: Final draft of systematic review/meta-analysis submitted for journal publication; summary presentation for lay audiences.
Reporting and Coordination
Selected consultants will operate remotely, reporting bi-weekly to the ILRI project manager. All deliverables will be submitted electronically. Online meetings will be held twice monthly to ensure progress and alignment.
Remuneration and Contractual Terms
Consultancy fees will be negotiated based on deliverables and milestones. The contract is expected to begin around August–September 2025 and will run for nine months.
Eligibility and Required Experience
This consultancy is open to individual consultants or research teams affiliated with institutions. Applicants must have:
- An advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) in climate change or relevant fields.
- At least five years of experience in conducting systematic reviews or meta-analyses.
- Demonstrated expertise in evidence synthesis, with publications in peer-reviewed journals.
- Proven ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams.
- Familiarity with stakeholder engagement and research dissemination.
Application Guidelines
Proposals must not exceed 8 pages, excluding annexes, and must follow this structured format:
1. Title Page (1 page – not included in the page limit)
- Proposed review title and topic reference number (e.g., 1.1, 3.2, etc.)
- Names, roles, and institutional affiliations of all team members
- Declaration of inclusion of Indigenous Knowledge holder (if applicable)
2. Summary (2 pages)
- Problem definition and review justification
- Research questions framed using PICO/PECO framework
- Review methodology including:
- Scoping strategy and search terms
- Literature volume estimates
- Inclusion/exclusion criteria
- Data coding and appraisal tools
- Stakeholder involvement and dissemination plans
3. Section 1: Background and Justification (1 page)
- Review the state of current knowledge and policy relevance
- Identify existing evidence gaps
4. Section 2: Objectives and Research Questions (½ page)
- Define objectives and frame questions using PICO/PECO
5. Section 3: Review Method (3½ pages)
- Detailed methodology including protocol design, literature search, inclusion/exclusion criteria, synthesis strategy, and quality assessment
- Software to be used and appraisal frameworks
- Output expectations
6. Section 4: Stakeholder Groups (½ page)
- Identify key stakeholder groups and describe how they’ll be engaged in review design and dissemination
7. Section 5: Publication and Dissemination (½ page)
- Suggested publication outlets
- Strategies for reaching policy and practitioner audiences
8. References
- Limit to 10–15 references (not part of word count)
9. Annexes (not part of page limit)
- CVs of PI and team members (2 pages max per person)
- Evidence of prior systematic review work (1 page max)
- Gantt chart with project timeline and deliverables
- Three referees’ names and contact details
Submission Process
Applications should be submitted via ILRI’s recruitment portal:
https://ilri.simplicant.com
The subject line of the cover letter should clearly indicate: Consultancy for Evidence Synthesis and Systematic Review – Ref: 1935/2025. The deadline for submission is 22 July 2025.
Please Note:
- ILRI does not charge any application, processing, interview, or training fees.
- ILRI does not require applicants to disclose bank account details.
- Due to the high volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
For more information about ILRI and its work, please visit www.ilri.org
