UNDP Jobs - 38819- Agriculture Business Advisor (for Georgian nationa

Agriculture Business Advisor (for Georgian nationals only)

Location :

Batumi, GEORGIA

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

07-Aug-13 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SB-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

6 months with possibility of extension

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

UNDP implements EU and Government of Ajara supported project ENPARD Ajara – Support to Agriculture Development of Ajara AR which is a part of ENPARD Georgia Program. The project has two main objectives (1) to increase returns to farming in Ajara and (2) to strengthen the capability of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Autonomous Republic of Ajara in policy analysis and related tasks.

The position of Agribusiness Advisor is envisaged to provide support to the project team and project implementing partners in smooth implementation of the planned activities related to various services to farmers and their groups.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of Project Manager, the incumbent will carry out the following duties and responsibilities:

Summary of Key Functions:

Development of sustainable and market oriented schemes of agrarian value chain supporting services to farmers;
Designing Business Development Services (BDS) scheme for small farmers groups to be applied by the Project;
Contribution to the development of ASC Strategic Development Plan, demonstration projects’ design, consolidation centers’ models and ASC branches.

Development of sustainable and market oriented schemes of agrarian value chains supporting services to farmers:

Assessment of existing agribusiness supporting services in the region;
Assessment of ASC’s potential for provision of agribusiness supporting services;
Development a scheme of Agribusiness Support Package for Agroservice Centre;
Development of sustainable models for ASC and advice to the Project Manager in application of these models;
Provision to the Project Manager and Agriculture Advisor with the main inputs and directions for ASC Strategic Development Plan, demonstration projects’ design, consolidation centers’ models and ASC branches.

Designing Business Development Services (BDS) scheme for small farmers groups to be applied by the Project:

Development of business models (including typical financial model and market channels) for facilitation small farmers groups’ (cooperatives) formation;
Development and ensuring smooth delivery of business development support services package to farmers groups by Batumi Business Incubator (BBI);
Designing the set of indicators and monitoring system for assessment of sustainability of small farmers groups and the project beneficiary farmers’ businesses;
Designing of a set of indicators for monitoring and assessment of quality of the BDS services and their regular monitoring.

Contribution to the development of ASC Strategic Development Plan, demonstration projects’ design, consolidation centers’ models and ASC branches:

Provision of inputs to Agriculture Advisor and temporary consultants for developing strategic development plans for ASC and its branches including the situational analysis, needs assessments and description of services to farmers;
Preparation of work plans and operation plans as well as monitoring plans for quality assurance of farmers services provided by ASC;
Developing of content wise inputs for LoAs and other contracts to be signed related to provision of farmers services (including extension, value chains and business development);
Monitor progress and advise the Project Manager on timely corrective actions for proper operational project delivery;
Design the business models and relevant action plans for consolidation centers for postharvest handling services, incorporating consolidation and market access components;
Provide support in quality control of project activities, including assessing impact and effectiveness, tracking outputs and results, and ensure timely and efficient delivery of project through a client-satisfaction approach;
Regular monitoring and data collection of the ASC’s (extension and value chain and market access) and BBI (farmers’ groups business development) services provided to farmers to the Project Manager;
Participation in the design the plan for capacity development of MOA of Ajara in the Agriculture Business field.

Impact of Results

The key results of the post strengthen UNDP’s contributions to the effective implementation of the project which is a complex set of activities.

The project will support to effective implementation of national policy, while the post will enhance the policy impact of the projects.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Highest standards of integrity, discretion and loyalty.

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning

Shares knowledge and experience;
Actively works towards continuing personal learning, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.

Development and Operational Effectiveness

Ability to perform a variety of specialized tasks related to Results Management, including support to design, planning and implementation of program, managing data, reporting;
Ability to provide input to business processes re-engineering, implementation of new system, including new IT based systems;
IT competencies in Word, Excel, Power Point and internet.

Leadership and Self-Management

Focuses on result for the client and responses positively to feedback.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

University degree or equivalent in development policy and or agribusiness related disciplines (agriculture economics, agribusiness administration, public administration, agriculture policy).

Experience:

At least 6 years of professional experience in agribusiness, and/or value chain and market access related consultancy, and/or analysis/research of agribusiness and/or regional socio-economic development projects;
Hands on experience in supporting the development of farmers’ and their groups’ supporting services;
Experience in planning and assessment of extension service components;
Experience in working with public sector, private sector and donor organizations on institutional development or similar projects will be an asset;
Experience in monitoring and evaluation of performance of business units and/or regional/local or community socio-economic development projects is desirable.

Languages:

Fluency in the English and Georgian languages is a must;
Knowledge of Russian Language is desirable.