C-26-22 National Consultancy – Development of a Socio-Ecological Systems (SES) Framework for Riverine Landscapes

National Consultancy – Development of a Socio-Ecological Systems (SES) Framework for Riverine Landscapes

(C-26-22)

Project: Triple-F: Forest, Fish and Food

Work modality: Remote (based in Peru). The consultant will participate in regular project meetings with the consortium team. The Deep-Dive Workshop in Lima (end of November 2026) is a key project milestone, where the consultant will present a draft of the SES framework for review and adjustment.

Closing date: October 16, 2026

The Landscape Alliance, a hosted center of the International Potato Center (CIP), invites applications from qualified professionals with experience in socio-ecological systems (SES) and integrated landscape approaches to develop the first iteration of an applied SES framework for the Peruvian riverine landscape under the Triple-F: Forest, Fish and Food project. Led by the Landscape Alliance in partnership with CIP, WorldFish and the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, Triple-F works in riverine landscapes in Peru and Ethiopia to strengthen livelihood resilience and food and nutrition security.

General Objective:

• To develop the first iteration of an applied socio-ecological systems (SES) framework for the Peruvian riverine landscape of the Triple-F project. The framework will integrate biophysical, agroecological and socio-economic dimensions, together with institutions and governance across scales, from watershed to community and household levels, to explain how interactions among forests, rivers, fisheries, agriculture and agroforestry shape local livelihoods, food and nutrition security, and socio-ecological resilience.
  
• The framework will guide interdisciplinary research, field-based diagnosis and the identification of options to strengthen the resilience of livelihoods and food systems. It should be scientifically robust, usable by interdisciplinary research teams, adaptable for engagement with policymakers, natural resource managers and riverine communities, and contribute to a broader Triple-F SES framework applicable in Peru, Ethiopia and other riverine landscapes. Under the guidance of the Triple-F project team, the consultant will lead this work in close collaboration with Landscape Alliance scientists, consortium partners, national research partners and other relevant experts and stakeholders.
  

Specific Objectives:

• Review and synthesize relevant SES, integrated landscape, watershed and resilience frameworks and methods applicable to riverine landscapes, livelihoods and food systems.
  
• Develop an initial Triple-F SES framework, adaptable to riverine landscapes globally, defining its core components, relationships, feedback loops, scales and drivers, in close collaboration with Landscape Alliance scientists and the Peru, Ethiopia and global teams of the consortium.
  
• Tailor the framework to the environmental, socio-economic, institutional and governance context of Peru’s riverine landscapes, and demonstrate its application using available research, secondary data and spatial information.
  
• Consult scientists, national partners, policymakers, resource managers and other stakeholders to validate and refine the framework, including supporting the facilitation of the SES “deep-dive” workshop in Lima (end of November 2026).
  
• Develop methods and a sequenced action plan for the field application and refinement of the Peru SES framework.
  

Consultancy Deliverables / Reports / Products:

Requirements

Consultancy Duration and Work Arrangements

· The consultancy is expected to start in October 2026, with a contract through December 31, 2026 and the possibility of extension into 2027.

· Occasional travel within Peru (e.g., to Iquitos, Loreto) may be required for meetings, expert interviews or data collection. Travel requested by the project will be covered in accordance with CIP policies.

Selection Criteria

· Master’s degree (MSc) in social or environmental sciences, natural resource management, geography, international development, or another field relevant to socio-ecological systems.

· At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in applied interdisciplinary research, including field-based research in rural or natural-resource-dependent landscapes.

· Proven experience with SES frameworks or related systems approaches, such as integrated landscape, watershed, resilience or natural resource management approaches.

· Demonstrated experience developing or applying conceptual, analytical or methodological frameworks to practical research or natural resource management problems.

· Strong analytical skills and demonstrated ability to synthesize qualitative and quantitative information from multiple disciplines and sources.

· Excellent facilitation, coordination and communication skills for interdisciplinary and multi-stakeholder collaboration, including the ability to communicate complex concepts through technical reports, methodological guidance and visual frameworks.

· Ability to work effectively with diverse colleagues, research and development partners, government actors, civil society organizations, Indigenous Peoples and local communities.

· Fluency in English and Spanish (required).

· Desirable: experience in the Amazon or other tropical riverine landscapes; experience with spatial data, GIS or other spatial analytical approaches; experience in participatory research and knowledge co-production with Indigenous Peoples and local communities; knowledge of forest-based livelihoods, fisheries, agroecology, food and nutrition security or natural resource governance; and familiarity with gender and generational dimensions of natural resource management and rural livelihoods.

Application Requirements

· Submit a CV of no more than 2 pages, including verifiable references (name, position, email/phone) from the institutions or projects where you have worked, so that the stated experience can be validated. If possible, include links to relevant publications or products.

Applications: Please visit the following link: http://cipotato.org/open-vacancies/ and attach your CV in line with the criteria above. We encourage all interested candidates to apply. The deadline for receiving applications is October 16, 2026.

This consultancy will NOT involve contact with children or vulnerable adults.

All applications will be received; only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

For more information about CIP, please visit our website http://www.cipotato.org