Project Analyst

Project Analyst- Food Security and Agriculture Value Chain

Job Identification: 18505
Locations: Kathmandu, Nepal
Job Schedule: Full time
Agency: UNDP
Grade: NPSA-8
Vacancy Type: National Personnel Service Agreement
Practice Area: Nature, Climate and Energy
Bureau: Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific
Contract Duration: 1 Year
Education & Work Experience: Master’s Degree
Other Criteria: Bachelor’s degree in combination with additional two years of experience will be given due consideration in lieu of Master’s degree
Required Languages: English and Nepali
Vacancy Timeline: 2 Weeks
Mobility required/no mobility: no mobility required

Job Description
Background

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.

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.

Nepal’s Constitution has established food security, the right to food, and food sovereignty as fundamental rights, with the government entrusted to uphold them. However, Nepal ranks 73 out of 117 food-importing nations in the 2022 Global Hunger Report, with approximately 45 out of 77 districts facing food insufficiency. To address this challenge and align with Sustainable Development Goals, a project named ” Renewable Energy for Resilient Agri-Food Systems (RERAS)” is being funded by the Norwegian Embassy and implemented by UNDP in 11 local governments across Sudurpaschim, Karnali, and Bagmati provinces. This project focuses on enhancing agricultural productivity and food security by leveraging affordable energy solutions, empowering local farmers through modern technology, and partnering with government bodies and national organizations. with the support from the Royal Norwegian Embassy.

The project aims to contribute to the “improved food and nutrition security of the communities in targeted municipalities of Sudurpaschim and Karnali provinces by promoting indigenous crop varieties through mechanization of agriculture using renewable energy-based technology.” The project will support establishing dedicated funds at local level to support the farmers for use of modern technology in production, processing, and marketing. The project will work with the local and provincial governments, academia, cooperatives, traders, and service providers to enhance their knowledge on use of modern technology for food production and sustainable food system management through capacity building and provisions for climate information, policies, access to finance, and research based improvised farming. Extensive use of energy-based and climate smart technology will help reduce the cost of production and increase local food supply. This will also support economic empowerment of women, returnee migrants, youths and marginalized groups through job creation and contribute to poverty reduction, environmental safeguarding, sustainable production and consumption, and gender equality and social inclusion.

In the context of the ‘Renewable Energy for Resilient Agri-Food Systems (RERAS), UNDP is looking to recruit a dedicated, experienced and competent Project Analyst- Food Security and Agriculture Value Chain. S/he will be responsible for the technical support and guidance for effective implementation and support in quality assurance of the project activities conducted in 11 local governments of Sudurpaschim, Karnali and Bagmati provinces.

The Project Analyst for Food Security and Agriculture Value Chain will report to and work under the direct supervision of the Project Manager.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Project planning, monitoring and knowledge management:

• Overall support partners and local governments in setting priorities and inclusive planning process- preparing resilient agriculture sectoral plan and consolidated agriculture annual plan, and leveraging of conditional, equalization, special grant of the federal and provincial government in municipal priority areas including project support funds.
• Assist in integrating baseline result in the project interventions.
• Timely monitoring of the project activities and ensure that the proper knowledge management has been carried out at project and partners’ level.
• Ensure that the training modules are developed and organized events accordingly.
• Analyze financial incentives for farmers’ adoption of postharvest technology.
• Provide inputs in mapping of demand and supply of indigenous crops, medicinal herbs, potential pockets areas, consumption behavior, dietary pattern, and agro-value chain of selected commodities in consultation with partner organizations.
• Provide technical support and ensure the timely assessment of value chain, post-harvest loss and storage facilities of selected commodities.
• Provide technical support in establishing market outlets, and post-harvest management of selected commodity.
• Provide technical expertise in implementing pilot project for testing feasibility and effectiveness of energy solution in food system.
• Collaborate with the municipality, farmers’ group, youths, women and cooperative to enable them to deliver their products to market in timely and cost-effective manner to guide agriculture-based infrastructures, digital platforms and start-ups identified.

Strengthening capacity of project partners and beneficiaries:

• Provide technical back stopping to the partners, local governments, cooperative and other extension providers for the promotion of appropriate production technologies and improved production and marketing practices to enhance productivity and reduce postharvest losses of fruit and vegetables.
• Support local governments and cooperatives in market facilities in collaboration with the project team, partners, and stakeholders.
• Provide technical inputs in mapping of local value chain actors, prepare roadmap, and support them in capacity development at different node of value chain of selected commodity to strengthen resilient energy-food system.
• Undertake gap assessment and capacitated local government, cooperatives, farmers groups, women entrepreneurs, and other service providers.
• Support in formulation of legal instruments like local agricultural policies, strategies, acts, guidelines, procedures, standard norms, for smooth operation of agriculture program -beyond project.
• Support the provision of postharvest handling and marketing of fruit and vegetables to operators of collection centers and satellite markets.
• Contribute to build the capacity of staffs of local government and cooperatives on themes relevant to the position.
• Support the cooperatives and market centers to prepare business plans, operational plans, and other relevant policy documents, and their smooth implementations.
• Support in establishing market information system at collection centers and satellite markets and identify opportunities to strengthen the system.
• Identify potential market actors and business development service providers and connect with producer’s organization for assured market and services.

Stakeholders’ engagement and partners coordination:

• Support in preparation of Climate Resilient Agriculture Farming plan for 11 municipalities in coordination with project partners and stakeholders.
• Establish networks with partners and coordinate with other UNDP projects/ programme for synergy and complementarity.
• Coordinate and network with relevant stakeholders for smooth implementation of the project at each local government as per the need of the project.
• Maintain good working relations with key stakeholders and partners – including but not limited to WFP, ICIMOD, AEPC, LIBIRD to support smooth implementation of the project and ensure local ownership of project results and their sustainability.

Provide technical guidance and support to the project team and partners:

• Provide technical guidance to project team, government officials and other stakeholders, related to value chain and preparation of detailed project workplan and budget.
• Conduct assessment of priority commodity value chain and provide guidance to ameliorate value chain constraints for business expansion.
• Conduct regular meetings and follow ups with project team to take stock of implementation and reflect cross-cutting issues such as vulnerability, gender, social inclusion, human rights, etc. in project result framework.

Reporting and documentation responsibility

• In consultation with the Project Manager prepare and finalize financial progress reports periodically as agreed in monitoring and reporting timeline and deliverables as per the standard template of UNDP and donor.
• Prepare and submit periodic delivery reports.
• Prepare and finalization of technical and progress reports, briefs and other documents and ensure their quality.

Carry out Gender Equality and Social Inclusion responsibilities of the project.

• Ensure women empowerment, gender equality and social inclusion component in any type of project interventions.
• Ensure meaningful participation of women, dalit, janajati and people with disability in all stages of project cycle.
• Ensure integration of GESI aspects in all stages of the project in coordination with Project GESI Focal Person.
• Create a safe working environment by developing respectful and safe organizational culture and supporting practices.
• Collaborate with team members, programme partners, and sub-grantees to ensure safe implementation of programmes at the community level applying Do No Harm approach.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Competencies:

Core competencies:

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline.
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements.
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback.
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible.
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident.
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships.
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination.

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:

Business development

• Collective Intelligence Design: Ability to bring together diverse groups of people, data, information or ideas, and technology to design services or solutions.

Business management

• Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.
• Partnerships Management: Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts, and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies

2030 Agenda Nature, Climate and Energy

• Energy: Market-based energy financing and practical application

2030 Agenda: Partnerships

• SDG Finance: Inclusive Markets/businesses and Value Chain Development

2030 Agenda: People

• Gender: Gender Mainstreaming

2030 Agenda: Peace

• Governance: Inclusion and Participation

Required Skills and Experience:

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in agriculture economics or agribusiness management, Agriculture Extension, Horticulture, or any relevant fields is required.
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with 2 additional years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of Advanced University degree.

Experience:

• Up to 2-years’ experience (with master’s degree) or minimum of 2 years (with bachelor’s degree) in the field of agriculture extension, agriculture value chain, market linkages, marketing, access to finance for farmers, and collection centre management or other relevant field is required.
• Experience of working in agricultural policies and agriculture research, development, and extension systems of Nepal is required.
• Proven experience of working in food and nutrition security.
• Experience of conducting capacity gap assessments and capacitating the various actors in the area of food and energy security is desired.
• Excellent reporting writing skills will be an asset.
• Demonstrated capacity on design and implementation of agricultural value chain will be an asset.
• Understanding/Experience of gender and social inclusion and practical experience of integrating it into the agriculture sector.
• Good understanding of current agriculture plans and policies of the Government of Nepal and familiar with various initiatives at provincial and local levels through various stakeholders (ministries and local bodies

Required Languages:

• Fluency in English and Nepali at professional level are essential.

Disclaimer

Important information for US Permanent Residents (‘Green Card’ holders)

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Non-discrimination

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

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Apply Before: 06/10/2024, 11:59 PM