UNDP Jobs - 86044- Agronomist

Agronomist

Location :

Sukhumi, GEORGIA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

31-Jul-19 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Languages Required :

Russian

Expected Duration of Assignment :

1 September 2019 – 30 August 2020 (up to 204 work 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

The main objective of the Joint EU-UNDP Rural Development Programme – Phase II (ENPARD III – Abkhazia component) aims to enhance the resilience of rural communities in Abkhazia through a bottom-up, integrated, gender-sensitive and environmentally sustainable approach to agriculture and rural development.

The proposed initiative will be complementary and build on the results obtained under the previous phase of intervention (ENPARD II Abkhazia Component), which was implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) together with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Action Against Hunger (AAH) and the Danish Refugee Council (DRC).

The overall objective of the proposed project is to promote inclusive and sustainable growth, creating employment and livelihoods for the poor and excluded in Abkhazia. The project aims to bring changes through 3 specific objectives:

To strengthen Abkhazia-wide coordination platform on agriculture and rural development;
To enhance competitiveness of agriculture and improve rural economic diversification;
To improve environment and sustainable management of natural resources

This project is implemented within the framework of the ENPARD. It’s is a European Union Programme, which aims to promote inclusive growth and stability in the neighbourhood (including e.g. Moldova, Armenia). It recognizes the potential importance of agriculture in terms of food security, sustainable production and rural employment. Within the ENPARD framework, this project will take stock of best practices and lessons learned across Europe over the past decade, in particular the LEADER concept adopted by EU countries. For the Abkhazia component, ENPARD III is aiming to support small-scale agricultural development and the diversification of the rural economy, with a view to improving living conditions and access to basic services in rural areas.

The “Center for Agriculture and Rural Development” (CARD) was established in 2017 to coordinate rural development initiatives across all 7 districts of Abkhazia and provide technical, consultative and referral support and coordination services to beneficiaries and rural communities. It is currently staffed by four full-time experts in agronomy, agro business, livestock, and legal advisory.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Project Manager, and in coordination with the project team, the Agronomist will provide guidance and expertise on agriculture and rural development within the project through:

Conduct awareness sessions and information meetings with population and partners in targeted districts:

Conduct on-site assessments and training for local farmers on improving yields, greenhouse construction and management, marketing and distribution including value chain management (within CARD operation);
Identify and liaise with potential seller willing to participate in the agricultural fairs regularly organized by CARD;
Build trusted relations with project partners and beneficiaries.

Provision of agronomist and agro-chemist services:

Provide technical support to ENPARD community sub-grantees, CARD clients, and other ENPARD beneficiaries on agronomy and agriculture, including as necessary soil analysis;
Collaborate with CARD experts in developing and providing services for beneficiaries (farmers, entrepreneurs etc.)

Contribute to CARD analytical works and knowledge management:

Contribute to drafting and reviewing of documentation (reports, surveys, project documents, electronic sources) on agriculture and rural development in Abkhazia, including the state of rural livelihood opportunities and infrastructure etc., as well as information on related UNDP work in this sector and research on best practices that may be relevant to ENPARD focus;
Contribute to development of district profiles, identification of its developmental needs and problems and key constrains to business development.

Deliverables

Carry out/participate in at least 30 meetings with partners and beneficiaries at district level
Provide consultations to at least 20 farmers and entrepreneurs in targeted districts
Hold at least 30 meetings with CARD experts
Conduct written and verbal assessments of farming enterprises and large household businesses agriculture business plans, and support with soil analysis assessments, one-on-one consultations on agriculture technology, and available extension services;
Prepare strategic notes on agriculture production and distribution.
Provide technical and analytical support to external consultants.

Competencies

Core competencies

Display cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Self-development, initiative-taking;
Act as a team player and facilitate team work;
Ability to manage conflicts at workplace and with partners/stakeholders;
Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others;
Informed and transparent decision making.

Functional competencies

Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and juggle multiple priorities;
Able to think quickly, assess a situation and make a sound decision;
Ability to prepare and follow a delivery schedule;
Ability to follow standard safety procedures and regulations;
Willingness, enthusiasm and ability to meet the assigned tasks on time.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture Sciences, Agronomy, Crop Science, Food Science and Food Security, Economics, or related field; an advanced degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) would be a strong asset (minimum requirement: Bachelor's degree – 5 points; Master's degree - additional 3 points).

Experience:

At least 3 years of relevant working experience in the field of agriculture development, and/or support to farmers’ groups, and/or skills development to farmers in Abkhazia (minimum requirement: 3 years – 14 points; more than 3 years – additional 4 points);
At least 1 year of relevant working experience in the field of agronomy (minimum requirement: 1 -3 years - 9 points; more than 3 years - additional 5 points);
Proven experience in successfully building partnerships with external stakeholders;
Proven organizational and communication skills, ability to work in a team;
Experienced and advanced user of computers and office software packages.

Language Requirements:

Good oral and written communication skills in Russian.
Knowledge of Abkhaz is a strong asset. Knowledge of English is an asset.

Evaluation:

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on Cumulative scoring analysis, against combination of technical and financial criteria. Technical evaluation stage encompasses desk review of offers and interviews. Offerors not meeting any of minimum technical qualification requirements will be automatically excluded from the list of offerors for further technical evaluation. In addition, offerors not meeting Language requirements will as well be disqualified. Maximum obtainable score is 100, out of which the total score for technical criteria (desk review and interview) equals to 70 points (70%) and for financial criteria 30 (30%). Offerors who meet language requirements and pass 70% of maximum obtainable scores as a result of desk review (i.e. 40 x 70% = 28 points) will be considered as short-listed Offerors, and will be invited to the interview. Those offerors passing 70% threshold of maximum obtainable scores as a result of the technical evaluation (desk review and interview), i.e. obtain minimum 49 points will be shortlisted and requested to provide financial proposal.

Financial Proposal:

Short-listed Offerors will be requested to provide financial proposal. The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount (with indication of specific sub-components of the payment, including daily fee, travel costs, living allowance etc.), and payment terms around specific and measurable (qualitative and quantitative) deliverables. The total amount quoted shall be all-inclusive and include a breakdown of all cost components required to perform the deliverables identified in TOR. The payment will be performed in two (2) installments paid upon submission of deliverables and its approval by the Project Manager. Payments are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR.

Payment Modality:

The consultant shall be paid on a monthly basis upon submission of monthly progress reports, time sheets and certification of satisfactory performance by the ENPARD Project Manager. It is expected that the consultant will work on average 17 working days per each month of the contract.