Background

Indian producers face several challenges to secure their household’s income, food provision while making an important economic contribution for the country. And one reason for the rising farm distress is crop failures and yield losses triggered by the vagaries of climate. The livelihood of a large proportion of India’s population—as the largest private enterprise with ~138 million farm families with an 18% contribution to national GDP—is at risk.   Any shock on agricultural production already has social and financial repercussions for both the population and the country as a whole; it impacts rural income levels, Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and, in the worst years, poverty rates.

The redesigned schemes RKVY- RAFTAAR "Remunerative Approaches for Agriculture and Allied Sector Rejuvenation", aims at making farming a remunerative economic activity through strengthening the farmers efforts, risk mitigation and promoting agri-business entrepreneurship. In the states, Department of Agriculture and Farmers' Empowerment operates RKVY-RAFTAAR where the State Government prepares projects as per guidelines RKVY- RAFTAAR issued by the Government of India.

The Country Programme Document (2018-2022) of United Nations Development Program’s (UNDP) approved by the Government of India has defined one of its foremost programme priorities and outcomes as 

“Institutional and systems strengthening for service delivery” as the single most innovations to achieve last mile developmental impact. UNDP has set up the Technical Support Unit for the implementation of RKVY, at MOA&FW  to improve institutional and programme responsiveness, increase coverage and better access among the marginalised and excluded farm households for the rural population in Odisha.

Under this project UNDP is planning  to provide a technical support to the state government of Odisha, for which UNDP is planning to hire an Individual Consultant to provide technical support to Department of Agriculture, Government of Odisha in strengthening the RKVY across the state.

Duties and Responsibilities

Functions / Key Results Expected

Summary of Key Functions: As Junior Consultant (RKVY), the person will be responsible for supporting the Senior consultant and the Director (RKVY), Agriculture department and  identifying areas for improvement 

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Junior Consultant (RKVY), will be based at Bhubaneswar and shall work under the guidance and supervision of the Director, Agriculture.

The Junior Consultant (RKVY), is responsible for: -

  • Assist in preparing State Agriculture Plan (SAP) & State Agriculture Infrastructure Development Programme (SAIDP) and ensuring the preparation of the District Agriculture Plans (DAPs).
  • Assist in developing projects, in conjunction with the line departments, keeping in view the RKVY guidelines, especially those related to value addition, innovation and agri-entrepreneurship
  • Assist to examine Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) submitted by different implementing department/agencies on the basis of RKVY-RAFTAAR guidelines and its objectives linkage to Comprehensive District Agricultural Plan(CDAP)/State Agricultural Plan(SAP)/ State Agricultural Infrastructure Development Plan(SAIDP).
  • Support Senior Consultant in coordination, preparation and appraisal of projects, implementing, monitoring, and evaluation with various Departments and implementing Agencies.
  • Assist  Senior Consultant  SLPSC & SLSC in the fund allocation annual strategy in line with the State govt. priorities.
  • Support in developing the utilization certificates and quarterly physical & financial progress reports to the Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers Welfare, GoI.
  •  Support updating web enabled IT based RKVY Management Information System (RKVY-MIS).

Liaison

  • Liaise relevant project partners for effective coordination of all project inputs;
  • Support project units for training activities supported by the Project;
  • Support timely inputs for the timely submission of all progress reports as may be required by UNDP, the Ministry of Agriculture;

Other tasks

  • Perform any other tasks consistent with the level of the post and/ or assigned by the Reporting Officer; Director Agriculture/ Principal Secretary, Agriculture / Head of Office-UNDP-Odisha.

Competencies

Core Competencies:

  • Demonstrates integrity and ethical standards;
  • Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of the organisation

Functional Competencies:

Job Knowledge/ Technical skills

  • Sound knowledge and experience in the field of Agriculture empowerment
  • Demonstrates substantive and technical knowledge to meet responsibilities and requirements of the post with excellence;
  • Possesses the capacity for strategic planning, result – based management and reporting;

Communication Skills

  • Good communication skills
  • Tailors and presents information to diverse audiences using a variety of communication delivery methods (e.g., written, electronic, oral, interpersonal) Documentation 
  • Good interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations with people in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity;

Management skills

  • Demonstrated skills connecting with a wide range of stakeholders,
  • Ability to participate and contribute consultative meetings at national and state level with partners and senior stakeholders to identify priorities and manage the timely delivery of project activities.

Language Requirements:

  • Excellent oral and writing skills in English and Odia

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master's degree from a recognized University in Economics or Business Administration or Agriculture or Allied Subjects from a recognized University 

Experience:

Essential

  • Two years' experience in Business Organization, Consultancy Company, Public Sector Undertakings, or an autonomous body or any statutory body or any Industrial or development organization or financial institution. 
  • Experience on formulation or implementation of policies/ programmes, or dealing with matters relating to
    • Formulation of Project Proposal;
    • Project Appraisal;
    • Project Financing;
    • Implementation of PPP projects;
    • Agriculture marketing;
    • Agro-processing.

 Desirable

  • Experience of working with State Governments/ international agencies/ on similar assignments will be preferred.

Evaluation Method and Criteria:

The award of the contract shall be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as Responsive to the requirement. Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted education and interview criteria specific to the solicitation.

  • Educational and Experience Criteria weight - 40%;
  • Interview Criteria weight – 60 %

 Educational and Experience Criteria (40% of total evaluation)

  1. Education qualification as per TOR-10%
  2. Additional education qualifications relevant to agriculture and management-10%
  3. At least 2 years of experience of working in project formulation and management for social development space- 10%
  4. Experience working with the Central and/or State Government/International Organisations/NGOs - 10 %

Interview Criteria: (60% of the total evaluation) based on the competency skill for tasks specified in this announcement

Deliverables and Schedule of Payment:

Monthly payment (Rs. 47,875/- per month (inclusive of insurance)) on submission of time sheet and monthly reports of work done duly certified by the reporting officer
 

Documents to be submitted by Consultants -

  1. Offerors Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability for the Individual Contractor (IC) Assignment http://www.in.undp.org/content/dam/india/docs/careers/PSU_%20Individual%20Contract_Offerors-Letter-UNDP.pdf
  2. Updated CV
  3. Health and Life insurance Policy covering Accidental, Term life etc. (required at the time of Joining)

Note:

  1. Any kind of miscellaneous charges i.e. internet, phone, relocation charges etc. will not be reimbursed;
  2. Travel, lodging and boarding as per Government rules subject to prior approval

Please apply online by visiting www.in.undp.org (Careers)

General Conditions for Individual Contract -
http://www.in.undp.org/content/dam/india /docs/procurement/UNDP%20General%20Conditions%20for%20Individual%20Contracts.pdf

UNDP strives to have a workforce which reflects diversity and gender balance, and applies an equal opportunities approach. Qualified femalecandidates are strongly encouraged to apply. All selections are on merit.