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 foundational sector providing 25% of gross domestic product and over 75% of employment, the agricultural 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 to undertake Performance Management and Delivery of results in the Big Results Now (BRN) National Key Results Areas (NKRAs) 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 the livelihoods of a majority of Tanzanians, an Agricultural Delivery Division (ADD) has been formed in the PDB to spearhead agricultural transformation in the country.                                          
Consequently, it was also decided that in each Ministry which plays a leading role in the earlier mentioned sectors be established a Ministerial Delivery Unit (MDU). These Units will have a lean structure with an establishment of three up to five staff. These Units will be responsible for supporting the Lead Minister and Permanent Secretary in managing the daily delivery of the NKRA programs developed in the Labs and adopted by the Government. Each NKRA MDU will be led by a Head of MDU reporting to the Minister while keeping the Permanent Secretary informed. Each MDU will be led by a Manager.                                                           

UNDP Tanzania in collaboration with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation through a project entitled "Catalyzing Agricultural Development in Tanzania - Agricultural Delivery Division (ADD)” under the President's Office, is 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 Ministerial Delivery Unit, Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Cooperatives. Which is responsible for delivering agriculture transformation in Tanzania?                                

Objective                                           


The objective is to support the establishment and capacity development of an agricultural institution that will strengthen coordination and enhance delivery systems within the agricultural sector in Tanzania.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions:                        

Responsible for monitoring and reporting progress on the ministerial projects under the Big Results Now (BRN) arrangement while keeping the Permanent Secretary of MAFC informed.        
 
General Duties and Responsibilities:          
Facilitating, monitoring and reporting progress on the Agriculture NKRA  
  •  Facilitating involvement of stakeholders in monitoring the progress of Big Results Now projects in the Agriculture NKRA;                                                                  
  •  Providing interface and liaising with the PDB on the progress of BRN in the Agriculture NKRA;    
  •   Following up and ensuring that BRN initiatives are integrated into Ministerial budget and monitoring disbursements;                                                                                
  •  Undertaking daily and weekly progress and delivery through Project Owners and relevant Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and Local Government Authorities (LGAs);                              
  •  Preparing weekly Problem-Solving Meetings with the Project Owners and following up implementation of the resolutions.                                                                        
Preparing implementation plan of each Key Performance Indicator (KPI) and assigning responsibilities to subordinate staff:                                                                    
  •  Ensuring that the Ministry delivers KPIs and track performance;                                                               
  • Monitoring KPI of the respective projects;                                       
  • Monitoring performance of all subordinate staff; and of all subordinate staff; and   Preparing periodic implementation reports;                              
  • Liaise closely with relevant MDAs and LGAs on implementation and ensure value for money on implemented activities;                            
  • Provide oversight on planning and budgeting to Agriculture Sector Lead ministries to ensure the plans are realistic and implementable and the budget is commensurate with the expected deliverable under in Agriculture NKRA.                                              
Being the Secretary of the Agriculture NKRA Steering Committee:                
  • Preparing monthly reports for the NKRA Steering Committee and Transformation Delivery Council meetings and monitoring follow ups on the implementation of deliberations;                
  • Performing any other related duties as may be assigned by the Director for Agriculture NKRA.  
                                  
 Impact of Results                                                                           

The key results of the post will be increased implementation rate of agricultural programmes/projects that will enable the ministry achieve targets set under the agriculture NKRA and thus contribute to transformation of agriculture in Tanzania.   

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.                   
Functional Competencies:                                         

Technical Expertise:                                      
  • Good knowledge and advisory experience in the area of planning and budgeting particularly for agriculture sector;                              
  • Theoretical and practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development and agricultural planning and budgeting;                
  • Strong understanding of planning and budgeting for agriculture sector in developing countries.
Knowledge Management and Learning:                              
  • Shares knowledge and experience and contributes to Practice Areas and actively works towards continuing personal learning and development;                     
  •  In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues.                     
Development and Operational Effectiveness:                                  
  • 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.                    
Management and Leadership                                   
  • Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to critical feedback;                
  • 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;       
  • Strong communications;
  • Strong analytical 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.                                          

Required Skills and Experience

Education:         
  • Master's Degree in the discipline related to Agriculture, economics, development planning;
  • Proficiency in computers and Microsoft Office Suite is required.                  
Experience:                                                                       
  • A minimum of eight (8) years of professional and practical experience including three (3) years in a managerial position;               
  • This experience should include provision of high-quality professional and technical advice, project oversight, and programmes/project planning and monitoring;                  
  • In-depth knowledge of the Tanzanian agricultural environment and context.                 
Language Requirements:
  • Fluent written and spoken English essential;      
  • Knowledge of Kiswahili an asset.         
Other:
  • Willingness to travel frequently in Tanzania.