National Platform Coordinator - Food Systems & Land Use Restoration

Port Moresby

Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
Location: Port Moresby
Grade: Level not specified - Level not specified
Occupational Groups:
- Communication and Public Information
- Agriculture and Forestry
- Nutrition
- Food Security, Livestock and Livelihoods
- Human Settlements (Shelter, Housing, Land, Property)
- Managerial positions
- Natural Resource Management
Closing Date: Closed

Background

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

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.

The GEF-FOLUR Project

The project, Establishing Systems for Sustainable Integrated Land-use Planning across New-Britain Island in Papua New Guinea, funded by GEF-FOLUR, in the Independent State of Papua New Guinea (PNG) will focus activities on the landscape of New Britain Island. At 3,330,890 ha, the island ranges from dense lowland plains to a central mountainous spine with peaks of over 2,000 m. With high levels of forest cover the island represents an area of high value biodiversity but is also at threat from rapid forest loss due to agricultural conversion with over 450,000 ha under permits for forest clearance. This pressure is driven by PNG’s socio-economic status, which includes a desire for economic development and income, rapid population growth and the high importance of agriculture in PNG’s economy, particularly Palm Oil and Cocoa. These impacts are exacerbated within the agricultural sector due to knowledge gaps in sustainable production, prevalence of unsustainable practices, unresponsive supply chains and limited access to finance.

In addressing these barriers, the project will help to deliver: 50,000 ha of land restored, 2,712,364 ha of landscapes under improved practices (excluding protected areas), 32.3 million metric tons CO2e of direct post-project. The project will also deliver direct economic and/or non-economic benefits to 66,647 individuals (28,838 females and 37,809 males). These results will be achieved through the following four interrelated components:

Component 1: Development of integrated landscape management systems
Component 2: Promotion of sustainable food production practices and responsible value chains to reduce land stress and avert degradation and deforestation
Component 3: Conservation and restoration of natural habitats
Component 4: Knowledge management and impact monitoring

Based with the Project Management Unit, the Platform Coordinator will play a central role in coordinating actions required to develop and support the Palm Oil and Cocoa Platforms as Project deliverables. The Platform Coordinator will act as the key focal point to facilitate communication between government, private sector and civil society, as well as guiding technical inputs under Component 2 of the project and ensuring that these are fully integrated into the workplan of the Palm Oil and Cocoa Platforms. S/he will also play an important role in linking action at national level with that at provincial level through coordination with the National and Provincial Agricultural Specialists.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Platform Coordinator, in coordination with the NATS, will report to the Chief Technical Adviser (CTA) and play a key role in supporting the Government of Papua New Guinea through its Department of Agriculture and Livestock (DAL) to ensure the success and sustainability of the Project’s long-term objectives, particularly under Component 2 of the Project.

The Platform Coordinator, in coordination with the NATS, will coordinate Component 2 activities under the functional leadership of the Project Manager within the Project Team.

The Platform Coordinator will be working closely with private sector, provincial counterparts, and communities in coordinating stakeholder engagement with regards to development of the Palm Oil and Cocoa Platforms. This will be done in part through oversight of two Project Provincial Agricultural Specialist in West and East New Britain Provinces.

The Platform Coordinator will be based in Port Moresby with regular travel to the Project sites in West and East New Britain Provinces.

The Platform Coordinator Scope of Work will be implemented in close collaboration with the National Agriculture Technical Specialist (NATS) and Service Provider Firm(s) procured by the Project Team:

Provide central coordination of all actions for the Palm Oil and Cocoa Platforms to be established by the Project.
Work with the NATS to facilitate the development of the commodity platforms and coordinate work of Service Provider Firm(s) or Consultant Groups.
Provide technical support in the implementation of the and achievement of results.
Collaborate across sectors in partnership with the PNG Department of Agriculture and Livestock (DAL) and relevant commodity boards.
Facilitate knowledge building and management for and from the commodity boards and platforms implementation.
Use of commodity platforms for cocoa and palm oil to bring together private sector, government & civil society representatives.
Develop and implement strategies to engage strategic stakeholders into the commodity platform activities with the National and Provincial Agricultural Specialist in West and East New Britain Provinces.
Develop awareness raising materials and convene events on the Palm Oil and Cocoa Platforms, or commodity boards to increase awareness and support adoption across government.
Support action on the review of existing legislations to identify how to coordinate the Palm Oil and Cocoa Platforms and how to integrate with subnational land use planning process.
Ensure close coordination and advocacy with the relevant government agencies to ensure the endorsement and adoption of guidance and regulations for the Palm Oil and Cocoa Platforms.

Competencies

Core competencies:

Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

People Management competencies:

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

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Business Direction & 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.
Negotiation and Influence; Ability to reach an understanding, persuade others, resolve points of difference, gain advantage in the outcome of dialogue, negotiates mutually acceptable solutions through compromise and creates “win-win” situations.

Business Development

Knowledge Facilitation; Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally.

Business Management

Results-based Management; Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results.
Project Management; Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.

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.

General (across the functions)

Public relations; Ability to build and maintain an overall positive public image for the organisation, its mandate and its brand, while ensuring that individual campaigns and other communications and advocacy initiatives are supported in reaching the public.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master's Degree with 7 years of experience in agriculture economics, development practices, agribusiness, green commodities, or other related fields
A bachelor’s degree with 9 years of experience in agriculture economics, development practices, agribusiness, green commodities, or other related fields.

Experience:

Minimum 7 years of professional experience in providing management advisory services, hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation, budget and financial resources in agricultural commodities; including at least 3 years’ experience in palm oil and/or cocoa sectors.
Strong network and demonstrated ability to provide technical support and work closely with government officials, civil society and corporate sector.
Demonstrable expertise working with agricultural commodities, management and governance issues.
Demonstrable technical knowledge of PNG Government policies and procedures with agricultural commodities, management and governance issues.
Experience with multi-stakeholder initiatives, preferably with professional experience implementing projects with components of facilitating inter-sectoral and sectoral coordination.
Ability to write clear and concise reports for an International audience.
Knowledge of UNDP policies and procedures is an asset.
Strong project management and organizational skills, with experience in organizing and facilitating meetings and workshops is an asset.

Required Language(s)

Fluency in spoken and written Tok Pisin and English

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.

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This vacancy is now closed.