Cluster Coordination Analyst – Agriculture Value Chain

Cluster Coordination Analyst – Agriculture Value Chain

Duty Station: Jumla, Nepal
Job Identification: 18181
Locations: Nepal
Job Schedule: Full time
Agency:  UNDP
Grade: NPSA-9
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 – 2 year(s) experience OR Bachelor’s Degree – 4 year(s) experience
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 Sudurpashchim, 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 full-time, dedicated, experienced and competent Cluster Coordination Analyst- Agriculture Value Chain to ensure operationalization of agriculture value chain in RERAS project in timely and cost-effective manner and fulfil programmatic expectations outlined in this TOR. The incumbent will be responsible for the overall supervision and guidance to local partners and responsible for all aspects of value chain administration of project interventions in Sudurpachhim and Karnali provinces.

The selected Cluster Coordination Analyst will report to and work under the direct supervision of the Project Manager.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Lead stakeholder engagement, partner coordination and proper implementation at the local level.

• Ensure stakeholders’ engagement and partners coordination at local level,
• Ensure preparation of Climate Resilient Agriculture Farming plan for the identified 11 municipalities in coordination with the respective local governments, cluster committees, Project partners and stakeholders.
• Prepare detailed roll-out strategy for technology dissemination related to food and nutrition security.
• Establish contacts with partners and coordinate with other UNDP projects/programs for synergy and complementarity.
• Represent the project with consent from the Project Manager and share experiences for up scaling the learnings of the project.
• 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.
• Coordinate with UN field office team and government line agencies working in the cluster.
• Support Project Manager related to value chain development of selected commodity.
• Ensure quality assurance and proper implementation of the program at the local level.

Strengthen the capacity of project partners and beneficiaries.

• Provide inputs in the 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.
• Conduct the capacity and need assessment of the identified cooperatives and market committees.
• Provide inputs to the Project Manager in the institutional strengthening of cooperatives and market actors for better access to finance.
• Undertake capacity gap assessment- both technical and managerial of project municipalities, cooperatives, farmers groups, women entrepreneurs, and other service providers.
• Prepare training/orientation package based on the capacity gap assessment and support in providing training on different production technologies and improved practices including post-harvest technology and market management.
• Capacitate local governments to prepare and use digital soil map, establishment, and management of MIS system.
• Engage with legislative and executive members of the selected 11 local governments in formulating legal instruments like local agricultural policies, strategies, acts, guidelines, procedures, standard norms, for smooth operation of agriculture program -beyond project.
• Prepare and implement plan of action on physical and institutional support provisions to cooperatives, collection centers and satellite markets to achieve the project targets,
• Support the provision of postharvest handling and marketing of fruit and vegetables to operators of collection centers and satellite markets.
• Support the cooperatives and market centers to prepare business plans, operational plans, and other relevant policy documents, and their smooth implementations,
• Plan and manage the implementation of learning programmes (trainings, workshop, exposure visits) on collection center management, marketing, and value chain development.
• Undertake research for marketing and market information system at collection centers and satellite markets and identify opportunities to strengthen the system.
• Work closely and collaborate with relevant government and private institutions, support provision of necessary ICT services and equipment to cooperative/collection center members and farmers.
• Identify potential market actors and business development service providers and connect with producer’s organization for assured market and services.
• Support the cooperatives and market committees to develop value chain grant and its effective implementation.

Plan and monitor project interventions and knowledge management.

• Conduct regular monitoring, effective technical assistance, project implementation quality assurance and evaluation, through regular field visits, interactions with staff, partners, and stakeholders.
• Support in mapping of demand and supply of indigenous crops, potential pockets areas, consumption behavior, dietary pattern, and agro-value chain of selected commodities in consultation with partner organizations.
• Support in assessing value chain, post-harvest loss and storage facilities of selected commodities.
• Provide technical support in establishing community seed bank, market outlets, and post-harvest management of selected commodity.
• Support identification of project pocket areas, municipalities, cooperatives, farmers, extension officers and information extension providers
• Support in developing training modules, e-learning platforms, and extension materials on resilient agriculture practice for technology transfer of food-based nutrition and conduct different awareness events.
• Provide technical support to local governments, cooperatives and farmers’ organization on agriculture solutions, soil fertility, crop and water management and storage facilities.
• Support in implementing pilot project in testing feasibility and effectiveness of energy solution in food system.
• Support agriculture-based infrastructures, digital platforms and start-ups identified in collaboration with the municipality, farmers’ group, youths, women, and cooperatives to enable them to deliver their products to market in timely and cost-effective manner.

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.
• Guide the field team in Jumla and Bajura in relation to agriculture value chain development of selected commodities.
• Assessment of priority commodity value chain and support to ameliorate value chain constraints for business expansion.
• Organize project inception and review workshops to build mutual understanding about project outcomes, implementation modality, challenges, and deliverables in collaboration with RERAS and other partners.
• Provide technical guidance to the project team, in liaison with the government officials and other stakeholders, in preparation of detailed project workplan and budget, development of project implementation strategy and action plan, and engagement of project staff at community levels.
• Guide the field team based in the cluster and municipality to execute planned activities in a timely and efficient manner.
• 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.
• Engage in policy advocacy, consultations, and policy formulation to enhance energy-food and nutrition security nexus.
• Provide quality inputs and feedback to the work done at provincial and municipal levels and ensure coherence with project objectives, plans and budgets.

Reporting and documentation responsibility

• In consultation with the local partners prepare and finalize consolidated narrative progress reports and oversee financial deliveries periodically as agreed in monitoring and reporting timeline and deliverables as per the standard template of UNDP and donor.
• Support in documentation and dissemination of project experiences, best practices, and lessons learned, and share in appropriate forums.
• Prepare and submit periodic delivery reports and submit to PMU.
• Assist the Project Manager in preparing work plans, procurement plans, technical reporting as per the requirements of donor and UNDP.
• Prepare and organize public awareness raising activities, briefs, and relevant documents regarding energy, food, and nutrition security at local level with project partners.

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

• Ensure women empowerment, gender equality and social inclusion throughout the project implementation.
• Manage records of disaggregated data by gender, age, and caste/ethnicity, disabilities of project interventions.
• Promote integration of GESI in local government policies.
• 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 RERAS GESI expert and consortium partners.
• 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.

Competencies:

Core competencies:

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work.
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking.
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning.
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process.
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously.
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships.
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making.

People Management competencies:

• UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Business direction and strategy

• System Thinking: Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.

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

• Results-based Management: Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus on improved performance and demonstrable results.
• 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

Partnership management

• Relationship management: Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust, and mutual understanding.

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, or any relevant fields is required. or
• 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:

• Minimum of 2-years (with master’s degree) or minimum of 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) in the field of agriculture value chain, market linkage, marketing, 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.
• Demonstrated capacity on design and implementation of agricultural value chain development.
• Prior experience on food and energy nexus.
• Working experience in identifying constraints and opportunities in every node of value chain and develop mechanism to strengthen it.
• Experience of working with value chain actors and in business development, institutional strengthening, and policy advocacy will be asset.
• Prior experience to Strengthen marketing institutions and producers in price fixation, quality assurance, support in establishing market intelligence is desired.
• Proven experience in formulating different policy framework and effective implementation will be an asset.
• Demonstrated ability in developing business plans for producer organizations, local users’ or farmers’ groups, cooperatives, and agro enterprises is preferred.
• Hand on experience in cooperatives, markets, value chain and project management related issues will be an asset.
• Knowledge on digital soil mapping and use of climate smart technologies to promote energy for food and nutrition is desired.
• Knowledge in distribution channels that will lead to enhanced market linkage of indigenous crops, fruit and vegetables shall be an asset.
• Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks.

Required Languages:

• English and Nepali

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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.

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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.

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Apply Before: 05/24/2024, 11:59 PM