UNDP Jobs - 73430- Market Specialist

Market Specialist - National Consultant

Location :

OeCusse, Timor Leste

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

14-Aug-2017

Application Deadline :

24-Jul-17 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

180 days

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

180 days

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

Timor-Leste has been making steady progress towards socio-economic growth, but challenges abound. The Government has articulated its developmental vision through a National Development Strategy, demonstrated clear political commitment to social protection and is embarking on a range of governance and public finance reforms. However, a high poverty rate (almost 50%), double digit inflation especially food inflation that directly impacts the poor, high dependency rates resulting from the demographic profile, high youth unemployment and institutional structures and systems that need to be strengthened present challenges to development. These challenges are visible in Oe-Cusse district, an enclave nestled within the Western Timor province of Indonesia and with an estimated population of 70,000. Oe-Cusse’s developmental challenges are deepened due to its geographical location, weak and very basic institutional base and low public investments in services, making efficient governance difficult at best.

The Constitution of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste (RDTL) accords a special status to Oe-Cusse, stating that it shall be ‘governed by a special administrative policy and economic regime’ (Article 71, Clause 2) and a law was passed by the National Parliament in 2014, establishing the Authority of the Special Administrative Region of Oe-Cusse Ambeno and the Special Zones of Social Market Economy (ZEESM).

UNDP has been providing policy advice to the Special Zones for Social Market Economy (ZEESM) Office since its establishment and has developed a program to help the Authority and ZEESM conceive, establish and operationalize institutional and developmental structures and systems in Oe-Cusse. The framework for UNDP’s support to the Oe-Cusse Authority and ZEESM is built around two components: (i) governance and (ii) sustainable and innovative development. The proposed assistance is aligned with the priorities of the Fifth Constitutional Government as articulated under Timor-Leste Strategic Development Plan 2011-2030 to establish special zones of social market economy to transform the lives of the people of Oe-Cusse with an integrated approach to sustainable, social and economic development.

In many more competitive economies, business incubation is one of the tools that have helped to create new entrepreneurial skills and new businesses. The incubation process that was developed has included services for on the spot diagnosis and treatment of business problems, dramatically lowering the usual early stage failure rate.

The overall strategic objective of the Oe-Cusse Business Incubator (OBI) is: To foster sustainable livelihoods in Oe-cusse through SME development and to build regional capacity to promote a business enabling environment.

THE OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE OF THE OE-ECUSE BUSINESS INCUBATORS

1. ENTREPRENEURSHIP CAMP (JUNE 2017)

Public presentation of the OBI to invite all locals and SME to apply for the OBI support.
After the general presentation, in groups, the local participants will be motivated and the OBI’s technicians will assess the needs, strengths and weaknesses of each idea or SME.
Youth participation will be strongly promoted

2. BUSINESS IDAS COMPETITION

Entrepreneurs may apply to the OBI to participate in incubator projects. Once a project idea is accepted, the incubator manager, technicians and entrepreneur develop a proposal (Business plan + Investment Plan) that is submitted to the incubator fund.

The committee for incubator fund will analyze and select those business plans that can demonstrate sustainability, income generation, social value, among other selection criteria.

3. MONITORING AND MENTORING

UNDP is looking for an enthusiastic person for the position of Market Development Officer in Oe-Cusse. The person will work under the direction of the Secretary of Tourism (ZEESM), and the UNDP Project Manager and will work to support the Business Incubator implementation.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Market Development Officer will be part of the team responsible to implement the Business Incubator in Oe-cusse and will be responsible to support the development of new business plans for local enterprises.

The Market Development Officer will be responsible for development of following:

Develop Business Plan for investment for at least 1 local business:

Initiate, create and develop long-term relationships with local businesses to foster their capacity for production and investment.
Assess the needs, strengths, weaknesses and constraints of each idea or local businesses.
Facilitate Business planning to identify and establish a sustainable business
Identify business development opportunities and help businesses plan for growth
Develop the Business Plans for investment of at least 1 local business.
Support local business in the presentation of all documents for the “Competition of Ideas” stage.
Identify areas for capacity development for local businesses.
Facilitate capacity building of small enterprises to address identified weaknesses.
Develop a strategy/schedule to mentor and monitor the implementation of the business plans selected for investment.
Organize, in coordination with all the team, the implementation of all activities, workshops, events of the Oe-cusse Business Incubator.

Develop the market development strategy for 5 local business plans

Develop simple and step by step strategy for 5 business plans in coordination with the Business Development Specialists.
Support 5 local business to have meetings and find potential buyers in Oe-cusse and/or in other cities (Dili)

Knowledge Building and sharing:

Implement 2 specific trainings (1 day each) for the local business on market access. The training should be focused in addressing problems previously detected in the local business.
Co-ordinate with other development partners currently involved in market development in Dili and in Oe-cusse to link Oe-cusse producers to market.

Competencies

Previous experience with UNDP is a very strong advantage
Experience in the usage of computers and word/excel package.
Comfortable learning new software as needed, transferring the knowledge and providing training.

Required Skills and Experience

I. Academic Qualifications:

Bachelor Degree in Business Management, Economics, Administration, social sciences or related areas.
Master degree in economic development or business management an advantage (not obligatory).

II. Years of experience:

At least 1 (one) years for Bachelor degree and 0 (zero) year for master degree in previous experience in business development support and market development in the public or private sector.
1 experience in selling, marketing support or related activities with the private sector.
Fluency in English and Tetun required. Portuguese is an advantage.

TOR and application forms can be accessed via this link http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=39176