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.
Objective
he objective is to support the establishment and capacity development of an agricultural institutions 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:Provide day-to-day management of specific projects under the Market Efficiencies Directorate as requested by the Director, including supervising and managing performance of personnel Assist the Director of Agriculture Productivity in the delivery of initiatives under their jurisdiction by coordinating initiatives related to production monitoring of prioritized crop and livestock value chains (e.g., the continuous and accurate reporting of total commodity output through the National Agricultural Census).
General Duties and Responsibilities
- To provide day-to-day management of the Productivity Directorate, including supervising and managing performance of personnel
- To coordinate undertaking of data-driven studies concerning production marketing with goal of identifying bottlenecks and recommending evidence-based solutions;
- To organize and conduct Delivery Labs relevant to production monitoring elements of the Agriculture National Key Results Area;
- To support stakeholders in the relevant government ministries to develop actionable sub-sector strategies and implementation plans related to production monitoring.
- To liaise regularly with key players responsible for the delivery of priority initiatives;
- To provide analytical support and recommendations to overcome key challenges and ensure timely delivery;
- To document progress on initiatives through a dashboard reporting mechanism;
- In rare situations, to engage in efforts to incubate key catalytic initiatives.
- Engage on regular basis with all key actors in the sector including agriculture sector lead ministries, public and private actors engaged in productivity related activities.
- Work closely with the Capacity Building Officer to facilitate and support capacity building through active engagement with technical experts to gauge technological and agronomical change among smallholder farmers and thus change in agricultural productivity at the farm level overtime.
- Prepare and review the annual budget of the ADD’s Productivity functions and ensure its implementation in conformity with the planned activities;
- Perform any other duties assigned by the Director Agriculture Productivity, Agricultural Delivery Division
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.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 higher learning institution in plant pathology or Food Science or any related agricultural discipline.
- A minimum of five (5) years of professional and practical experience including three (3) years in a managerial position;
- Specialist knowledge and high level advisory experience in the area of agricultural productivity;
- Exposure to high-performance international environments a desirable;
- Proficiency in computers and Microsoft Office Suite is required.
- Fluent written and spoken English essential;
- Knowledge of Kiswahili an asset.
- Willingness to travel frequently in Tanzania.