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Programme Officer (Agricultural Economy)

Yangon

  • Organization: UNOPS - United Nations Office for Project Services
  • Location: Yangon
  • Grade: Junior level - LICA-9, Local Individual Contractors Agreement
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Economics
    • Agriculture and Forestry
    • Project and Programme Management
  • Closing Date: Closed

Background Information - Myanmar

Myanmar is one of UNOPS’ leading offices in Asia, acting as fund manager for three of the largest development programmes in the country, namely the Three Millennium Development Goal Fund (3MDG), the Livelihood and Food Security Trust Fund (LIFT) and the Joint Peace Fund (JPF). In addition, UNOPS is Principal Recipient for the Global Fund in Myanmar and for the Global Fund’s regional artemisinin-resistance initiative targeting drug resistant malaria in the greater Mekong sub-region. UNOPS provides procurement, infrastructure and project management services to a wide range of organizations in the country, including the Government of Myanmar, international development partners, other UN agencies, NGOs and INGOs. UNOPS plays a critical role in ensuring that the quality of services provided to its partners meets stringent requirements of speed, efficiency and cost effectiveness.

Background Information - Job-specific

The Livelihoods and Food Security Trust Fund (LIFT) is a multi-donor fund established in Myanmar in 2009 with the purpose of increasing the livelihoods’ resilience and nutrition of poor people in Myanmar by focusing on interventions that increase income, food availability, utilization and stability of access to food.  LIFT has received funding from 14 donors to date and is active in the four main agro-ecological zones of Myanmar: the Central Dry Zone, the Ayeyarwady Delta, Rakhine State, and the Upland areas.  For more details visit www.lift-fund.org

The Programme Officer (Agricultural Economy) will join the Central Dry Zone team to provide economic and financial analysis and guide the project staff to be alert towards economics of the activities and results.

Functional Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the LIFT Dry Zone Livelihoods & Food Security Specialist, the Programme Officer (Agricultural Economy) will have the following responsibilities:

  1. Undertake economic assessments, recommend actions to help ensure the effectiveness of the projects and programmes and contribute to growing the livelihoods and food security knowledge base in Myanmar.
  2. Assess value for money of activities, projects and programmes in collaboration with International Partners (IPs) and Fund Management personnel. Assess financial and non-financial costs and benefits of activities, projects and programmes and estimate the contributions of projects and programmes to the LIFT outcomes.
  3. Identify, analyse, synthesize and communicate lessons and knowledge on agricultural economy to ensure project and programme learning is translated into improved project design and implementation.
  4. Evaluate concept notes and proposals including work plans and budgets; ensure that proposals are in compliance with Fund policy and priorities as well as in line with national frameworks, and that proposals take into account work undertaken or planned by the government or other donors.
  5. Review of Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning Plans (MEAL), work plans and reports prepared by IPs and ensure they are in line with contractual obligations and  LIFT’s strategy and priorities.
  6. Stay well-informed on relevant issues in the agricultural and livestock sectors, particularly with regards to the agricultural economy, and promote information sharing among stakeholders.
  7. Contribute to the preparation of the Fund Manager’s work plan and report on the work plan through analyzing information from IPs.
  8. Support IPs by providing guidance for adjustments to projects to reflect new knowledge and lessons learned; Provide guidance to IPs to identify good practices and increase effectiveness;
  9. Draft, and develop visual aids for presentation purposes and prepare analytical briefing material as required for missions and/or discussions on project activities and status;
  10. Routine monitoring of project implementation progress (including regular field visits), activity results and impact, project budgets and expenditure and collaborate with contract management unit to solve identified issues that affect the grant agreements;
  11.  Build effective working relationships with relevant government departments and local government administrations associated with LIFT projects;
  12. Attend and, where required, lead relevant technical meetings and maintain excellent contact with all stakeholders in Yangon and in the field;
  13. Draft terms of references for contracted services;
  14. Assist with the translation of relevant documents written in the Myanmar language;
  15. Other relevant duties as assigned by the Supervisor.

Monitoring and Progress Controls
The Programme Officer will be responsible for monitoring and progress controls for a number of projects and in particular for LIFT’s work on the agricultural economy.

Effective financial and nonfinancial analysis of data and information from the projects contributes to improved knowledge management and learning in the LIFT team. The results contributed by LIFT projects will contribute to the evidence base for effective decision-making and future programming. LIFT will contribute to technical and policy discussions making LIFT a valued stakeholder.

Analysis of project learning, advisory support to partners, and strengthened project engagement with government builds the knowledge base of the livelihoods and food security sector and enhances the effectiveness of the Fund.


Education/Experience/Language requirements

a. Education

  • Master’s Degree in economics, agricultural economics, development economics, business administration or related field is required.
  • Additional 2 years of similar experience with a Bachelor’s degree is considered as equivalent.

b. Work Experience

  • A Bachelor’s Degree with a minimum 4 years of experience in agricultural or food security project implementation is required. With a Master’s Degree, only 2 years of relevant professional experience is required.
  • Experience in livelihoods, food security and agricultural programme development/ implementation and monitoring and evaluation are highly desirable.
  • Experience in farm economics and financial and economic analysis in agriculture and livestock development are highly desirable.
  • Experience in working with Gross Margin Analysis, Cost Benefit Analysis and the Value for Money concept are highly desirable.
  • Demonstrated operational field experience in Myanmar or abroad is desirable.
  • Previous successful involvement with, and good knowledge of the agribusiness sector would be an asset.

c. Language Requirement

  • Fluency in both written and spoken Myanmar language and English is required.

Competencies

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.
Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.
Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).
Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.
Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.
Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.
Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Local Individual Contractor Agreement 
Contract level: LICA Specialist-9
Contract duration: 1 year (possibility for extension based on funding)
For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx 

Additional Considerations

  • Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
  • Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
  • Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
  • Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
  • For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
  • The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

Background Information - UNOPS

UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner.

Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices, always satisfying or surpassing our partners’ expectations.

With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, wherever they need it.

A flexible structure and global reach means that we can quickly respond to our partners' needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale. 

This vacancy is now closed.
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