UNDP Jobs - 45669- Director of Agriculture Productivity

Director of Agriculture Productivity

Location :

Dar es Salaam, TANZANIA

Type of Contract :

Other

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

24-Apr-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

Other

Duration of Initial Contract :

2 years

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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

Agriculture is a pivotal sector for attainment of Tanzania’s Development Vision 2025 and the Millennium Development Goals which aim for Tanzania to become a middle income country with positive social transformation for all citizens. As a foundation providing 25% of gross domestic product and over 75% of employment, the sector is an anchor for four of the five economic targets in Tanzania’s poverty reduction strategy, as well as several social and governance goals.

In 2012 extensive information gathering was conducted through; high-level Roundtable with 30+ stakeholders, cross-country stakeholder consultations, fieldwork observations and interviews gathered and several core constraints were identified at the levels of (i) national policy; (ii) regional and local implementation; and (iii) the foundation of farms, markets, and value chains, along with (iv) underlying gaps in capacity and performance at all of these levels.

On 1 June, 2013, the President of the United Republic of Tanzania established a President's Delivery Bureau (PDB) as an Independent Department under the President's Office. Its primary objective is to facilitate the Government undertake Performance Management and Delivery of results in the Big Results Now (BRN) National Key Priority Areas and as stipulated in the Five Year Development Plan (FYDP). In discharging its duties PDB will be working closely with Government Ministries. To kick start the BRN projects, the Government has started working on five priority areas in the sectors of Agriculture, Infrastructure, Water, Education and Resources Mobilization. Given the special nature of agriculture in livelihhods of majority of Tanzanians, an Agricultural Delivery Division (ADD) has been formed in the PDB to spearhead agricultural transformation in the country.

UNDP Tanzania in collaboration with Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation through a project support titled “Catalyzing Agricultural Development in Tanzania - Agricultural Delivery Division (ADD) ” under the President’s Office, are providing assistance to ensure the Agricultural Delivery Division (ADD) is adequately equipped with the expertise and workforce to carry out its broad mandate. Through the project, ADD will be availed critical technical expertise and seed funding to jump start the establishment of the Tanzanian Agricultural Delivery Division (ADD) in the President’s Delivery Bureau (PDB).

UNDP Tanzania is assisting in the recruitment of suitable, high calibre and results oriented professionals to join the Agriculture Delivery Bureau, which is supposed to spearhead the agriculture transformation in Tanzania.

Project Objective

The objective is to support the establishment and capacity development of an agricultural institution that will strengthen coordination and enhance delivery systems within the agricultural sector in Tanzania. Specifically, the project will facilitate the establishment of the Agricultural Delivery Division (ADD) within the President’s Delivery Bureau (PDB).

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions:

Provision of technical expertise and insight on the practical production and scientific aspects of agricultural sector performance, with the goal of supporting key stakeholders to improve crop and livestock productivity through a value chain approach;
Monitoring, development, effective deployment and adoption of various supply “push” interventions to increase the efficiency and output of production systems;
Advocacy, networking and coordination among and between ADD Team members and other stakeholders.

General Duties and Responsibilities

To provide day-to-day management of the Productivity Directorate, including supervising and managing performance of personnel.

Coordinate problem solving and analysis regarding productivity of prioritized crops and livestock value chains:

Coordinate undertaking of data-driven studies concerning crop and livestock productivity with goal of identifying bottlenecks and recommending evidence-based solutions;
Organize Delivery Labs relevant to crop and livestock productivity elements of the Agriculture National Key Results Area (NKRA);
Support stakeholders in the relevant government ministries to develop actionable sub-sector strategies and implementation plans based on data-driven studies and delivery labs. Sample areas of intervention include input supply, technology and research, production monitoring, land use, soil management and extension.

Facilitate and support implementation of prioritized interventions and special programmes:

Mobilize key public, private and NGO stakeholders to support the sub-sector strategies and implementation plans;
Provide analytical support and recommendations to overcome key challenges and ensure timely delivery;
In rare situations, to lead efforts to incubate key catalytic initiatives.

Engage in coordination of key stakeholders involved in crop and livestock productivity:

Establish mechanism to coordinate all key actors in the sector including agriculture sector lead ministries, public and private actors engaged in productivity related activities.

Assist in performance tracking and capacity building of key government stakeholders related to crop and livestock productivity, including identification and monitoring of key performance indicators:

Work closely with the Capacity Building Officer to facilitate and support capacity building through active engagement and up-skilling of public, private, and civil sector counterparts.

Preparation of annual budget of the ADD’s Productivity functions:

Prepare and review the annual budget of the ADD’s Productivity functions and ensure its implementation in conformity with the planned activities.

Ensure high integrity and effective financial management of all matters related to the ADD’s Productivity functions;

Perform any other duties assigned by the Deputy CEO, Agricultural Delivery Division

Impact of Results

The key results of the post will contribute to the PDB/ADD’s efforts to transform agriculture in Tanzania by enhancing productivity agriculture sector by Supporting stakeholders in the relevant government ministries to ensure achievement of deliverables on productivity elements of the Agriculture National Key Results Area (NKRA).

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of the PDB/ADD;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly and without favoritism.

Functional Competencies:

Technical Expertise

Specialist knowledge and high level advisory experience in the area of agricultural productivity;
Theoretical and practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development and agricultural issues;
Strong understanding of transformation dynamics in large and smallholder agriculture in developing countries.

Knowledge Management and Learning

Shares knowledge and experience and contributes to Practice Areas and actively works towards continuing personal learning and development;
Ability to provide top quality policy advice services on electoral issues;
In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues.

Development and Operational Effectiveness

Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
Ability to go beyond established procedures and models, propose new approaches which expand the range of programmes;
Ability to apply theory to the specific country context.

Management and Leadership

Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to critical feedback;
Encourages risk-taking in the pursuit of creativity and innovation;
Leads teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Demonstrates strong writing, facilitation, and presentation skills;
Builds strong relationships and networks with clients and external actors;
Negotiation skills: capacity to work with diverse partners including government, donors and civil society;
Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
Prior knowledge of Tanzania an asset;
Strong analytical skills;
Strong communication skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Masters degree from a recognized institution in a technical agricultural discipline (e.g., Plant Pathology, Agronomy, Food Science);
Proficiency in computers and Microsoft Office Suite is required.

Experience:

A minimum of ten (10) years of professional and practical experience including five (5) years in a senior managerial and leadership positions;
Experience should include provision of high-quality professional and technical advice project oversight, and communications pertaining to value chain interventions, e.g. leading a project to develop and introduce a hybrid seed variety;
In-depth knowledge of the Tanzanian agricultural environment and context;
Exposure to high-performance international environments a desirable;
Works effectively under pressure, manage stress well and adapts to evolving situations;
Prior knowledge of Tanzania an asset.

Language Requirements:

Fluent written and spoken English essential.
Knowledge of Kiswahili is an asset.

Other:

Willingness to travel frequently in Tanzania.