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Project Management Support Specialist (Value Chain Consultant)

Nay Pyi Taw

  • Organization: UNOPS - United Nations Office for Project Services
  • Location: Nay Pyi Taw
  • Grade: Mid level - IICA-2, International Individual Contractors Agreement
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Logistics
    • Sustainable trade and development
    • Transport and Distribution
    • Project and Programme Management
  • Closing Date: Closed

Background Information - Myanmar

UNOPS 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 Access to Health fund, the Livelihood and Food Security 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

UNOPS Myanmar has been selected by International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation (MOALI) to provide “Project Management and Technical Assistance” for the implementation of Eastern States Agri-business Project (ESAP) which is financed by IFAD and implemented by IWUMD. The project’s goal is to improve the economic status of poor rural women and men in selected areas of Kayin and Shan states. Its objective is to increase the incomes of smallholder and agroforestry households in these areas in an environmentally sustainable manner. It will promote commercial smallholder agriculture linked to agribusiness, improve living standards of the rural communities, and reverse the environmental degradation. Economic benefits will be generated for 62,400 households consisting of 315,000 people of Karen, Shan, Pa-oh, Inn and Mon ethnic groups.

The Project components are (1) Strategic Investment (2) Enabling Investment and (3) Project Management. Under the Strategic Investment Component, there are two sub-components namely Land Development and Agro-forestry. Under the Enabling Investment Component, there are two sub-components namely Investment in Knowledge and Micro Finance Services. The lead project implementing agency is the Irrigation and Water Utilization Management Department (IWUMD) of the Ministry of Agriculture Livestock and Irrigation (MOALI) Myanmar. The Project Implementation cooperating agencies are the Department of Agriculture (DOA), Department of Rural Development (DRD), Department of Agriculture Land Management and Statistic (DALMS), Department of Agricultural Mechanization (DAM), Department of the Agriculture Research (DAR) under the Ministry of Agriculture Livestock and Irrigation. ESAP Project Management Unit (PMU) is located in Naypyitaw while the Project Implementation Offices (PIOs) are located in Taunggyi (Shan State) and Pha-an (Kayin State). The total project cost is USD 65.2 million over a six-year implementation period. 

The Value Chain Consultant will be assigned to the Sub-Component 3, Project Management.  He/she will be working with the Investigation Branch under the Irrigation and Water Resource Utilization Management Department (IWUMD) under the guidance of the Project Management Advisor and the Project Director.

Functional Responsibilities

The key functional responsibilities of the Value Chain Consultant include: 

  • Identify underlying constraints for business transactions all along the product value chains. 

  • Providing the farmers with essential information on the crop market and on desired quality, packaging and processing practices help them to choose the most appropriate and profitable crops, crop varieties, production methods, and post-harvest and processing technologies. 

  • Reduce the risks of lost incomes due to the market instability, low prices, and poor quality of agro-produce. 

  • Strengthen the links between the farmers and the agri-businesses and improve trust among the farmers, agri-businesses and financial institutions for sustainable production and co-operation.


Duties and Responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities of the Value Chain Consultant include but are not limited to: 

  1. Guide the National Value Chain Specialist in conducting value chain analysis for the most promising agriculture commodities and goods produced in different project areas. 

  2. Produce a Value Chain Advisory Report and a Pro-poor Value Chain Strategy, fully integrating the GAP, Climate resilient and Gender mainstreaming activities. 

  3. Identify the underlying constraints impinging upon business transactions all along the value chain and propose actions on how to mitigate them.

  4. Identify potential suitable producer groups and other private sector players for promising value addition opportunities and markets.

  5. Identify policy issues that impact the selected value chains, identify market dynamics and opportunities, and assess and map the supply and demand of services in ESAP-targeted areas.

  6. Analyze the support functions that are required to make the value chain work, including both exciting and currently missing support functions and structures (e.g. infrastructure, information, related services etc.).

  7. Assess the value chain flows from the producers to the end users and produce the value chain maps and value chain action plans for prominent products. 

  8. Advise the project agricultural extensionists and Saving and Credit Group service providers to incorporate the value chain action plan to the production plans of the project beneficiaries (farmer groups, saving and credit groups, small and medium enterprises etc.). 

  9. Identify the value chain technologies and practices for demonstration and produce the technical protocol for demonstrations by discussing with the project on-farm research specialists and agricultural extensionists. 

  10. Produce comprehensive training materials on value chain analysis, agri-business planning, Cost and Return Analysis, Agri-business contracting and contract monitoring, and Private Public Partnerships (PPP), to be applied by the National Value Chain Specialists and the Agricultural Knowledge Center (KC) Managers.  

  11. Guide the National Value Chain Specialist in coordination of ESAP activities with other institutions and organizations involved in the value chain development, such as Yezin Agriculture University (YAU) and private sector companies, research institutions, NGOs, rural finance institutions, to facilitate the effective provision of services to the farmers and  other value chain participants.

  12. Produce a capacity development plan for the supported value chains.

  13. Produce value chain advisory reports, and review and edit the value chain study report prepared by the National Value Chain Specialist.  

  14. Conduct other duties assigned by the Project Director as required. 

Scope and Consultancy Start-up Procedures

The value chain activities cover eight town ships and two states: Hopong, Sisieng, Kyauktalonegyi, Taunggyi townships of southern Shan state, and Pha-an, Hlaing Bwe, Kawkareik, Thandaunggyi in Kayin State. The consultant will also collaborate with Irrigation and Water Utilization Management Department (IWUMD) Investigation Branch, Department of Agriculture (DOA), Department of Agricultural Research (DAR), Department of Rural Development (DRD), and Department of Agricultural Land Management and Statistic (DALMS). In the beginning of the consultancy, the Consultant will:

  1. Produce Inception Report for the assignment in the first week of assignment after consultations with the National Value Chain specialist and the project management. 

  2. Collect secondary data and information (DOA, DAR, Universities, NGOs), and review the reports of the National Value Chain Specialist. 

  3. Consult and cooperate with Project extensionists, Saving and Credit Group Service providers, and On-farm research specialists.

  4. Consult with the Government departments and related Projects and NGOs in the same fields. 

  5. Visit to the key market destinations and agri-business companies.

  6. Organize a value chain workshop to review to discuss and confirm the findings. 


Knowledge Management

The Consultant shall:

  • Interact actively with other Project personnel and groups to share case studies, lessons learned and best practices.

  • Provide feedback to Practice Leads on policy, supporting continuous improvements of UNOPS policies

  • Complete lessons learned as per reporting format

  • Incorporate lessons learned from others as per planning format


Core Values and Principles:
  • Understand and respect UNOPS sustainability principles

  • Look for ways to embed UNOPS sustainability principles.

  • Seek opportunities to champion gender equality at the workplace.


  • Understand and Respect National ownership and capacity

  • Understand the principles of the Paris Declaration on aid effectiveness and mainstream them into the project plans

  • Look for ways to build capacity of local counterparts


Partnerships and Coordination 

  • Understand the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) and UNOPS, the project’s place in the UN system

  • Strive to build strong partnerships and effective coordination among relevant project actors (e.g. United Nations, governments, and non-governmental organizations or other relevant partners) 


Accountability for results and the use of resources

  • Service agreements, contracting, procurement of the works are in line with the role and regulation of the donor and transparent. To report to the project management in case of any doubt arising. 

Excellence

  • Contribute to innovation and the adaptation of best practice standards of sustainability and quality. 

Expected Results
  • Inception report

  • Value chain capacity development plan including production of the training materials. 

  • Value chain advisory report, Pro-poor value chain strategy. 

  • Technical Protocol for demonstration of the recommended value chain activities. 

  • Review and edit value chain study report produced by National Value Chain Specialist. 

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education
  • Master’s Degree Agricultural Business, Business Administration or equivalent is required.

  • A Bachelor’s degree in the same fields with additional two years relevant experience can be accepted in lieu of Master’s degree.

Work Experience 
  • Minimum 5 years in Agri-business development, with focus on agricultural value chain development.  

  • Working experience in developing countries, preferably in Southeast Asia.

Language Requirement
  • Fluency in both written and spoken English is required.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: ICA

Contract level: I-ICA 2

Contract duration: maximum 100 working days


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 

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above)
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.

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.
  • Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
  • UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
  • 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 is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.


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