Background

The Government of Lao PDR’s Agriculture Sector Strategy focuses on achieving self-sufficiency in food production, promoting crop diversification and expanding irrigated agriculture. Majority of people in Bolikhamxay province rely on agriculture for both food and income. Rice cultivation is the major farming activity. Most of the rice fields are rain fed and therefore cultivated for only one season. Only a limited part of the rice cultivation area is cultivated twice a year due to the poor condition or absence of irrigation facilities. The degradation of surrounding watersheds has caused increasing variability in water availability with flash floods causing regular damage to the limited existing irrigation. Natural resources in these watersheds have always been important sources of livelihoods and complementary food for local communities. This project aims at improving the overall livelihoods and food security of local communities in the 2 of the poorest districts of Bolikhamxay, by supporting the development of irrigated agriculture and the community based management of watershed resources such as forests and fisheries.

In 2013, the Project has completed the review and validation of the design and technical specifications of the three irrigation schemes in Viengthong and Bolikhan districts. Some training activities for Water User Groups Association and villagers for construction works have been carried out for the target groups in target areas. Bidding of the rehabilitation of these three schemes has been completed and the construction works are ready for implementation.

In pursuit of the above-mentioned objective and to ensure the quality of the work on irrigation rehabilitation, MAF and UNDP Lao PDR (UNDP CO) seek a qualified Senior National Technical Irrigation Specialist who can provide significant and professional technical and managerial support to the Project Manager and UNDP.

Duties and Responsibilities

The main objective of this assignment is to work closely with UNDP CO and PAFO Bolikhamxay province who is the Implementing agency for SIRA project UNDP CO for ensuring the fundamental principles of proficient public procurement is implemented and achieved top quality of the rehabilitation works of 3 small scale irrigation schemes in Bolikhan and Viengthong districts in Bolikhamxay province.

Scope of work

The National Technical Irrigation Specialist will work under the direct supervision of the Project Manager and UNDP Environment Unit Chief in all matters related to irrigation activities implemented by the project. The consultant will provide independent advice on the feasibility, procurement, construction and hand over of the irrigation works and will provide technical support for the implementation of all irrigation related activities implemented by the project. During his/her assignment he/she will make sure the capacity of provincial and district level staff and local communities is enhanced to ensure successful implementation of the irrigation activities and overall sustainability of the project. S/he will particularly carry out the following tasks.

The primary responsibilities of the selected consultant include: 
  • Provide independent supervision of construction/rehabilitation works till the final hand over to the concerned communities;
  • Assess/revise capacity needs and provide on the job training to PAFO, DAFO, village facilitators and Water User Groups as appropriate;
  • Conduct post-construction/rehabilitation monitoring and evaluation and provide regular reports.
Duration of assignment, duty station and expected places of travel:
Period of assignment/Duration: Approx. 08 months (May 2014 – December 2014) including
  • 80 working days (full-time) to be based in the SIRA Project Office at Provincial Agriculture and Forestry Office (PAFO) of Bolikhamxay province or DAFO of Bolikhan and Viengthong districts;
  • 10 working days home based with some travels to the project office at PAFO Bolikhamxay and sites in Bolikhan, Viengthong and Paksan districts, Bolikhamxay province, Lao PDR.
Duty Station/Location:
  • Home-based with frequent travels to project sites and Bolikhamxay Provincial Agriculture and Forestry Office in Bolikhamxay province.
Final products:
The consultant is expected to deliver the following outputs
  • Output 1: One Inception report to be produced in one week after signing of the contract. The Inception Report should outline the methodology to complete the tasks and activity plan, main recommendations for implementation of irrigation rehabilitation and related project activities and first monthly individual work plan; 
  • Output 2: Monthly progress reports (May, June, July, August, September, October, November, and December 2014) listing achievements against monthly work plan and ToR, activity plan for upcoming month; 
  • Output 3: Final report outlining achievements against ToR and main recommendations for further development of irrigation activities by the project.
Timeline:
  • Week 2 of May 2014: Inception Report;
  • May 2014 till December 2014: 8 Monthly progress reports;
  • December 2014: Final Report.
Provision of monitoring and progress controls

The Specialist will report on a monthly basis to the Chief of the Environment Unit, UNDP and Vice Governor of Bolikhamxay Province (National Project Director for SIRA Project). In addition, the Specialist will work closely with the SIRA Project Manager and her/his project team, and the responsible UNDP programme officer.

For detail of the scope of work, terms of reference, evaluation criteria and submission requirements please visit the following link at UNDP Country Office website:

http://www.la.undp.org/content/lao_pdr/en/home/operations/jobs/

Competencies

Functional competencies:
  • Excellent time management skill with an ability to deliver high-quality outputs on time;
  • Very good computer skills;
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills both in Lao and English languages;
  • Excellent conceptual and analytical skills;
  • Excellent time management skill with an ability to deliver high-quality outputs on time;
  • Very good computer skills;
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills both in Lao and English languages;
  • Demonstrates leadership, team building and coordinating skills;
  • Demonstrates commitment to human development principles and values;
Core competencies:
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
  • Shares knowledge and experience;
  • Provides helpful feedback and advice;
  • Plans and produces quality results to meet established goals;
  • Generates innovative, practical solutions to challenging situations;
  • Analyzes problems to identify key issues, underlying problems, and how they relate;
  • Demonstrates substantive and technical knowledge to meet responsibilities and post requirements with excellence;
  • Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
  • Responds positively to critical feedback and differing points of view.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications:
  • Recognized degree (preferably PhD) minimum M.Sc, in Civil Engineering/Irrigation/water works.
Years of experience:
  • Minimum 10 years of experience in the design and construction of irrigation schemes and the implementation and hand over of irrigation projects;
  • Minimum 5 years of practical experience and knowledge of national procurement systems;
  • Working experience with international organizations, especially the UN is considered to be an asset.
Language:
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills both in Lao and English languages
Note: