Programme Management Advisor (Agriculture Market and Food System)

Senior Programme & Policy Leadership Environment

Overview

Support agriculture market and food system programs in Myanmar.

You have:

• Master's degree in Agriculture or a related subject is required.
• Minimum of 7 years of professional experience in project implementation and evaluation.
• Experience in agriculture subjects including economics, livestock, and climate smart agriculture is preferred.
• Excellent written and spoken English skills are essential.
• Knowledge of Myanmar language is an advantage.

Contract

This is a IICA-3 contract. This kind of contract is known as International Individual Contractor Agreements. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's an external contract. It usually requires 7 years of experience, depending on education. More about IICA-3 contracts.

Background Information - Myanmar

Myanmar is one of UNOPS’ leading offices in Asia, acting as fund manager for three of the largest development programmes in the country, namely the Access to Health, the Livelihood and Food Security Fund (LIFT) and the Joint Peace Fund (JPF). In addition, UNOPS is Principal Recipient for the Global Fund in Myanmar and for the Global Fund’s regional artemisinin-resistance initiative targeting drug resistant malaria in the greater Mekong sub-region. UNOPS also provides procurement, infrastructure and project management services to a wide range of organizations in the country, including the Government of Myanmar, international development partners, other UN agencies, NGOs and INGOs. UNOPS plays a critical role in ensuring that the quality of services provided to its partners meets stringent requirements of speed, efficiency and cost effectiveness.

Background Information - Job-specific

The Livelihoods and Food Security Fund (LIFT) is a multi-donor fund established in Myanmar in 2009 to address food insecurity and income poverty in Myanmar. LIFT’s designated outcomes are improvements in income, resilience, nutrition, and pro-poor policy developments. So far, LIFT has reached more than 7.2 million people, or roughly 20% of Myanmar’s population; and is active in almost half the country’s townships. LIFT is currently implementing the 2019-2023 strategy and for more details visit www.lift-fund.org. https://www.lift-fund.org/ .(https://www.lift-fund.org/)

Purpose and Scope of Assignment

LIFT Support to agricultural markets aims at the productivity of smallholder agricultural production systems through different approaches including investments in (i) effective extension service delivery; (ii) access to affordable and efficient use of agricultural inputs and services; and (iii) the adoption of sustainable practices (sustainable agricultural intensification to support climate smart agriculture i.e. promotes the efficient use of natural resources (land, water, soils) imparts increased resilience to climate change and future shocks and (iv) increasing access to financial services.

The current LIFT Agriculture, Markets and Food Systems Programme (AMFSP) approach aims to transform smallholder agricultural livelihoods and vulnerable rural households to viable, prosperous enterprises with targeted approaches / interventions that address the three differentiated livelihood strategies to ‘step up’, ‘step out’ and ‘hang in’. Through the creation of enabling environments (i.e. functional input/output markets; the creation of job opportunities along the value chain).

LIFT’s work on agriculture, inclusive markets and food systems continues to reduce risk and increase the resilience of smallholder farming households and vulnerable/landless entrepreneurs, thereby enabling them to increase their incomes and address their nutritional requirements. LIFT is explicitly seeking to address women’s empowerment and gender equality through its Agriculture, Markets and Food Systems Programme. Women often face difficulties accessing finance, market information, extension services and entering higher growth markets. The ownership and control of land and property is also a significant challenge for women in rural areas. Evidence indicates that women’s empowerment in agriculture impacts on improved nutrition outcomes.

Functional Responsibilities

LIFT is seeking specialists with different technical expertises to support its work in Agriculture Market and Food System, in particular on programme strategic and framework planning and identification, technical support, and project evaluation. This support will be managed within the overall guidance of the Fund Board and Fund Director, working closely with LIFT’s agriculture markets and food system programme personnel and LIFT’s implementing partners.

Programme Management Advisors may carry out any of the following expertise tasks, based on needs expressed through task notes( Terms of Reference):

• Agribusiness and Value Chain Specialist
• Economist – Agricultural Economist
• Input ( seed and fertilizer) and output marketing
• Smallholder agriculture support- Extensions support
• Private sector development
• Mechanization of smallholder agriculture
• Post Harvest management
• Knowledge Development Specialist
• Natural Resources (Land and Water) Specialist
• Environmental and Climate Specialist
• Credit and Finance Specialist
• Policy and Institutional Development Specialist
• Programme/Project Support Specialist
• Project monitoring and evaluation

Under the direct supervision of Senior Programme Manager (Agriculture And Rural Finance) and in accordance with UNOPS policies, procedures and practices, the Programme Management Advisors shall support LIFT to with any or all of the following tasks:

• Lead, participate in or provide technical and operational backstopping to LIFT Agriculture Market and Food System teams involved in the formulation and implementation of projects.
• Conduct midterm review or end of project evaluation of projects involving interactions with smallholder farmers, NGOs supporting them, Associations, value chain actors, private sector actors, civil society organizations and government representatives, and advise on the development of inclusive agriculture markets and sustainable value chains;
• Provide technical advice to project or Agriculture Market and Food System team in topics related to the development of value chain institutions (sector associations, inter-professional associations, working groups, agencies, etc) to address demand and supply constraints in selected value chains;
• Provide technical input in adaptation, scale up of digital application to improve efficiency in the agriculture value chains( aggregation and bulk, payments, access to informations, extension service support, capacity building of value actors to use digital platforms, farm management practises etc)
• Lead or participate in identification / selection , formulation of projects/ strategies based LIFT focus areas include nutrition sensitive agriculture farmer extension, sustainable use of natural resources (land, water and other resources), climate change mitigation and adaptation;
• Provide advice in overall planning and monitoring of activities, learning and knowledge management.
• Perform any other related duties as required.

Methodology and Deliverables The retainer will receive a task note (TOR) each time a requirement is identified. The Task note (TOR) will specify the dates, duration and deliverables.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education

• A Master's degree in Agriculture or a subject relevant to the ToR is required.

• Additional two years of professional experience with a Bachelor’s Degree is considered equivalent.

Experience - A minimum of 7 years of professional experience in project implementation, programme strategy developing, programme formulation and project evaluation is required. - Experience living and working in less developed countries is an advantage. - Experience in subject areas of agriculture, including agriculture economists, livestock production systems, veterinary policies, livestock trade policies, conservation agriculture, agricultural advisory services, mechanization, seed production, aquaculture, climate smart agriculture, nutrition sensitive agriculture, Conflict and post-conflict, Climate change adaptation, Gender is preferred. - Experience of working with stakeholders such as private sectors including agriculture companies, local authorities, national government, civil society and the interaction among stakeholders with dialogue, advocacy, governance would be an asset. - In-depth understanding of the Myanmar context is an advantage. - Experience of working in Myanmar and/or South East Asia is an advantage. - Knowledge of robust M&E systems according to latest techniques, measures and standards is preferred. - Experience in design and execution of field surveys in rural socio-economics studies with both quantitative and qualitative methods is an asset. - Experience in data management, processing, statistics and analysis is desirable. - Experience in designing, drafting, editing, presenting and disseminating knowledge products is preferred.

Language - Excellent skills in both written and spoken English are essential. - Knowledge of Myanmar language is an advantage.

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above) Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles. Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role). Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries. Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements. Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving. Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: ICA (Individual Contractor Agreement) Contract level: LICA-11 / IICA-3 (ICS-11) Contract duration: One year (Retainer Consultant)

This vacancy is open to all nationalities. This is a home-based contract with possible mission travel to Myanmar. The successful candidate shall be offered a local ICA contract under the local ICA (LICA) of the place of residence. If there is no local scale in the country, the International ICA (IICA) contract will be applied.

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:

https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

Background Information - UNOPS

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.

Additional Considerations

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

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Potential interview questions

Added 4 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: jobs.unops.org