Background

The UNDP-GEF project COAST focuses the problem of biodiversity and landscape protection and conservation in Dalmatia within a multi-disciplinary and multi-sectoral context. The project will help Croatia seize the opportunity to improve the conservation of globally significant biodiversity in the Dalmatian coastal region before tourism and related economic development cause irreversible damage to the ecosystems. Therefore, the overall objective of the COAST project is to ensure that the development path of the Croatian coast is environmentally friendly, with the conservation of biological diversity firmly mainstreamed into that development path. The Project will work at several levels: i) national– by promoting reform of the enabling environment; ii) regional (sub-national) - by integrating biodiversity concerns in development planning; iii) local – by developing and implementing, at 4 demonstration sites, best practices for Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) aimed at bio- and landscape diversity conservation and protection; and iv) sectoral – by working directly with the private sector and by making key industrial sectors biodiversity friendly.
 
More information can be found at www.undp.hr/coast
 
Objectives of the assignment
The main objectives of this assignment are the following:
 
- to enhance development of organic agriculture in the COAST project area,
- implementation of selected priority measures from Action plan for the development of organic agriculture and food production in Dalmatia  
- development of promotional educational campaign on benefits of organic agriculture
- to provide high quality education in organic agriculture and sustainable rural development
- to catalyse widening of organic producers and other green and organic agribusiness initiatives

Duties and Responsibilities

The duties will include but are not limited to the following:
  • Advising to the COAST team on organic agriculture and related activities to be undertaken by the COAST Project;
  • Advising and participating in implementation of Action plan for the development of organic agriculture and food production in Dalmatia
  • Development of educational, promotional and consulting programmes and campaigns
  • Providing education and training in organic farming sector and rural development (e.g. agro -ecotourism etc)
  • Advising and quality control of agricultural projects within the framework of Green Business Support Programme
  • Transferring the best organic practices from Mediterranean agricultural sector into Dalmatia
  • Participating in the development of measures required for further development of organic agriculture and agri-environmental programme in Dalmatia
  • Participating in round tables, workshops, conferences on organic agriculture, agri-environmental programme, green agribusiness and related agricultural and environmental issues within the COAST project as requested by and agreed with the Project Manager
  • Provide assistance or services, within respective field of responsibility and competence, on ad-hoc basis if needed and requested by the Project Manager
  • provide expert input on specific subjects as requested by the Project Manager
  • Co-operate with other members of the Project Core Team of Experts, under the co-ordination of the Project Manager

Competencies

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Required Skills and Experience

The consultant should have:
  • At least a Masters degree (or its equivalent) or higher in the field of agriculture
  • At least 10 years of professional experience in the field of organic agriculture and organic food production
  • Understanding and practical experience in the organic farming sector in the project area as well as in the Mediterranean region
  • Experience in education and training on organic agriculture
  • Good knowledge of national and international situation and trends in organic agriculture and rural development
  • Good understanding of the institutional and legal context of agricultural sector in Croatia;
  • Good communication and stakeholders management skills
  • Proven experience in writing analytical reports
  • Fluency in English, both written and spoken, is required.; and
  • Excellent writing, presentation and reporting skills.
OFFERS
 
Please take time to read the following instructions carefully. Failure to follow instructions will result in automatic disqualification. 
 
The offer should consist of:
  • Letter of Intention in English
  • Personal History Form, in lieu of CV that can be downloaded at http://www.undp.hr  under Jobs.
  • Financial Offer with the Consultant daily fee (daily fee of maximum 260.00 US$)
Prospective candidates should submit their detailed Personal History Form in English language via link at www.undp.hr
 
In addition, the candidates shall seal their Offers in one outer and two inner sealed envelopes. Both inner envelopes shall indicate the name and address of the candidate.
 
One inner sealed envelope should contain Letter of Intention and Personal History Form what should be clearly indicated on the envelope.
 
The other inner sealed envelope should contain Financial Offer what should be clearly indicated on the envelope.
 
The outer envelope shall be addressed to:
UNDP, Radnicka cesta 41/8, 10000 Zagreb (Job Application – Consultant for Organic Agriculture)
 
The prospective candidates should submit their offers at their earliest convenience but no later then Friday, 30 October 2009.
 
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
 
Selection criteria:
The evaluation criteria are attached for ease of reference.