UNDP Jobs - 77559- Cooperative Policy Specialist (SB 5 Peg I)

Cooperative Policy Specialist (SB 5 Peg I) - Open to Nepalese nationals only

Location :

Kathmandu with frequent field visits, NEPAL

Type of Contract :

Other

Starting Date :

01-Jun-2018

Application Deadline :

13-Mar-18 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

Other

Duration of Initial Contract :

One year with possibility of extension

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

Fruits and Vegetables are gradually emerging as important sub-sector in Nepal and contributes to roughly 15% of total agriculture produce. Demand for fruits and vegetables is in increasing trend. According to the Kalimati fruits and vegetable market centre, which is the largest fruits and vegetable centre in Nepal, roughly 31% of fruits and vegetables sold by the centre is imported from various countries including India. Despite increased demands of fruits and vegetables, there is a huge difference between vegetable farm gate price and the retailer price due to the presence of various layers of middlepersons in the vegetable supply chain. This Cooperative Market Development Program (CMDP) is a joint initiative of Ministry of Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation (MoCPA), Government of Nepal and United Nations Development Program and is being implemented under National Implementation Modality. CMDP is a five-year project started from 2018. The overall objective of the project is to establish and operationalize cooperative market chain of vegetables and fruits to increase farmers’ income and other livelihood opportunities, which in turn will contribute to the poverty reduction in Nepal. The project will achieve this outcome by ensuring establishment of an efficient and sustainable vegetable and fruits collection centers starting from primary cooperative to regional terminal in Kathmandu valley and Chitwan. The project covers 6 districts adjoining to the Kathmandu Valley and will establish 72 primary collection centres at village level, 18 collection centers at municipal level, 4 district terminals and 2 regional terminals/markets. Approximately 14,400 households of 72 fruits and vegetables cooperatives will be linked to this cooperative market chain and will directly benefit from this project. The project contributes directly to SDG1(poverty) and 2 (hunger, nutrition).

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of National Project Director (NPD) and National Project Coordinator (NPC), Cooperative Policy Specialist (CPS) will report to the National Project Manager (NPM). The incumbent will be responsible for providing support in Cooperative policy related issues and institutional capacity development of MoCPA.

Coordination Functions:

Coordinate the policy studies to be done under the programme on cooperative policies, regulations and practices;
Lead the designing of resource material to be made for stakeholders regarding cooperative policies, laws and regulations;
Support cooperatives to identify individual and organizational training needs;
Facilitate local cooperatives to adhere to the coops principles; work for quality control;
Liaise with cooperatives for training related activities;
Work on any other training related activities as per immediate needs and priorities, as required;
Conduct workshops/consultations/meetings with relevant stakeholders as necessary.

Technical support on cooperatives policy issues:

Provide policy inputs to MoCPA on behalf of the programme on cooperative development issues;
Provide policy inputs to the local governments situated in the project areas regarding cooperative policy;
Identify the policy gaps about cooperatives and provide inputs to programme periodically;
Assess the existing policies, programme and organizational structure and capacity of the Ministry of Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation (MoCPA) in monitoring, managing and capacity building of the cooperatives ;
Review and analyze the existing policies, programmes and provisions currently being applied in the cooperatives sectors and its contribution to poverty reduction and economic growth in the country, specially targeting rural poor, women and smallholder farmers.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Good inter-personal skills;
Clear and upfront communication skills;
Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Collaborates effectively in a team environment;
Organized and good with following-up on pending issues; meets deadlines;
Promote learning and knowledge management/sharing;
Focuses on delivering results by taking calculated-risks and problem solving approach;
Fair and transparent decision making; regularly shares information with team members.

Functional Competencies:

Promotes sharing of knowledge and experience, and actively works towards continued personal learning and development;
Good practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues;
Ability to go beyond established procedures and models, propose new approaches which expand the range of projects;
Demonstrates strong numerical and analytical skills;
Experienced in delivering training and other needed capacity/ institutional building support to a wide range of stakeholders;
Analyzes and selects materials for strengthening strategic alliances with partners and stakeholders;
Understands and applies fundamental concepts and principles of a professional discipline or technical specialty relating to the position;
Possesses basic knowledge of organizational policies and procedures relating to the position and applies them consistently in work tasks;
Assesses project performance to identify success factors and incorporates best practices into project work.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Completion of Master's Degree in Economics, Management or related fields.

Experience:

At least 7 years of work experience in economic or cooperative Policy Issues that the country has embarked on;
Experience on the issues of local economic development, cooperatives in livelihood improvement including the agricultural value chain and policy research;
Solid understanding and knowledge of cooperative issues in Nepal including policies, laws, institutional mechanism;
Experience in conducting policy dialogue, workshops/consultations/meetings with relevant stakeholders as necessary.

Language Requirements:

Excellent speaking and writing skills in Nepali and English.

Other:

Well versed with computer applications viz. Word, Excel, Power Point etc.