Organizational Context

UNIDO is the specialized agency of the United Nations that promotes industrial development for poverty reduction, inclusive globalization and environmental sustainability. Its mission is to promote and accelerate inclusive and sustainable industrial development (ISID) in developing countries and economies in transition. The relevance of ISID as an integrated approach to all three pillars of sustainable development is recognized by the recently adopted 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which will frame United Nations and country efforts towards sustainable development in the next fifteen years. UNIDOs mandate in SDG-9, calls for the need to "Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation". Accordingly, the Organizations programmatic focus is structured in three thematic priorities:
* Creating shared prosperity * Advancing economic competitiveness * Safeguarding the environment.
UNIDO delivers its services through the following four complementary and mutually supportive core functions: (a) technical cooperation activities; (b) analytical and policy advisory services; (c ) standard- setting and compliance and (d) convening and partnership role. Such core functions are carried out in Departments/Offices in its Headquarters, Regional Offices and Hubs and Country Offices.

The Office for Independent Evaluation is responsible for the independent evaluation function of UNIDO. It supports learning, continuous improvement and accountability, and provides factual information about result and practices that feed into the programmatic and strategic decision-making processes.

Project Context

The National Quality Infrastructure (NQI) in Myanmar is underdeveloped and lacks the capacity required for a modern economy with food supply chains integrated into global food supply chains. With the exception of some food testing laboratories, there has been little investment in equipment and facilities in the last 30 years and this has in turn limited technical capacity building. The weakness in the NQI acts as a constraint on trade and export led growth. It also acts as a constraint on the development of value added food products and the diversification of food products and markets.
This intervention is designed to address these weaknesses. Existing capacity will be strengthened in four key food-testing laboratories, and training will be provided to meet the requirements for accreditation to ISO 17025 for some key testing parameters. The Myanmar Food Processors and Exporters Associations (MFPEA) Food Industries Development Supporting Laboratory (FIDSL) will receive the bulk of support in terms of equipment as its mandate is to provide testing services to MFPEA members and it is in the best position to extend rapidly its range of testing services to exporters with support from this intervention. The cost-accounting system in all the key food-testing laboratories will be strengthened to international standards and support will be provided for business plan development.

On the job training will be provided to the Standards Department in the Department of Research and Innovation (DRI, formerly Myanmar Scientific and Technological Research Development, MoST), to manage the standardization process and build capacity in standards development. This will include assistance to prepare a Medium to Long Term Plan for strengthening Standardization in Myanmar and the development of the Standards Department as a National Standards Body (NSB). The Metrology Department will be supported with equipment and technical training to upgrade their calibration laboratory for mass and temperature. TA will be provided to strengthen inspection procedure for food by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under the Ministry of Health (MoH) and the Myanmar Testing and Inspection Services (MITS). In parallel MITS will be assisted to assess its feasibility for accreditation as an inspection body, and if feasible, a Road Map will be prepared.
Food Safety Management Systems implementation will seek to promote the adoption of the highest standards in food safety risk management by initiating a pilot program to support at least 10 small and medium size enterprises (SMEs) towards certification. This will build on an existing base of 12 large food processors that are certified to ISO 22000. A core group of national consultants and public food inspectors will be trained in implementation of food safety risk management systems.

The MFPEA believes that weaknesses in the NQI are constraints on the development of the sector limiting and export market access diversification and product development. These include:
a) Limited availability of internationally recognized quality assurance services including laboratory testing services particularly for food safety parameters; and
b) Limited awareness and application of international food safety standards in food processing industry.

The MFPEA has tried to address these constraints. In 2011 it established with support from Japan a food testing laboratory to provide a limited range of laboratory testing services to food producers and processors on a range number of food safety parameters to its members. However, the laboratory now needs to be expanded to meet growing demand and the full range of testing services from its members.

It has also organized training and capacity building programs for food producers and processor in food safety standards to meet regulatory requirements of the export market. It believes that these programs need to expand to increase adoption of international standards in the industry, entry into the global supply chains and increase exports.

Duty station: Myanmar (home-based)
Approximate duration: 17 working days

Main Functions

- Desk review;
- Review and analyze project documentation and relevant country background information; in cooperation with the team leader, determine key data to collect in the field and prepare key instruments in English (questionnaires, logic models);
- If need be, recommend adjustments to the evaluation framework and Theory of Change in order to ensure their understanding in the local context;
- Coordinate the evaluation mission agenda, ensuring and setting up the required meetings with project partners and government counterparts, and organize and lead site visits, in close cooperation with project staff in the field;
- Coordinate and conduct the field mission with the team leader in cooperation with the Project Management Unit, where required;
- Consult with the Team Leader on the structure and content of the evaluation report and the distribution of writing tasks;
- Conduct the translation for the Team Leader, when needed;
- Prepare inputs and analysis to the evaluation report according to TOR and as agreed with the Team Leader.

Core Competencies

INTEGRITY: To work honestly, openly, impartially and in accordance with the values of the United Nations.
PROFESSIONALISM: To work in a competent, committed and calm manner.
RESPECT FOR DIVERSITY: To work effectively, respectfully and inclusively with people from different backgrounds and with different perspectives.
RESULTS ORIENTATION AND ACCOUNTABILITY: To be accountable and responsible for achieving results and meeting performance standards.
PLANNING AND ORGANIZING: To plan, organize and manage work effectively and efficiently.
COMMUNICATION AND TRUST: To communicate effectively and build trust.
TEAM ORIENTATION: To cooperate at various levels.
CLIENT ORIENTATION: To be responsive towards those to whom services are provided internally and externally.
ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION: To realize continuous improvement, support innovation, share knowledge and skills and learn from others.

Minimum Requirements

Education

Languages

Field of Expertise