National Agriculture Technical Specialist (Food Systems, Land Use & Restoration)

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 National Agriculture Technical Specialist (NATS) will coordinate technical inputs on the development of approaches towards sustainable food production under Component 2 of the Project. Working with the Platform Coordinator, in coordination with the Department of Agriculture and Livestock (DAL), the NATS will support the establishment of a policy environment within the target sectors (particularly palm oil and cocoa), as well as building the capacity of producers and buyers to effectively engage in sustainable supply chains, including the development of small-business management skills, enhanced traceability systems and the establishment of a global-buyers group to link small-scale producers into global sustainable value chains.

Duties and Responsibilities

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

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

• Work with the Platform Coordinator to provide technical inputs into the platforms and coordinate work of Service Provider Firm(s) or Consultant Groups.
• Collaborate across sectors in partnership with the PNG Department of Agriculture and Livestock (DAL) and relevant commodity boards.
• Develop and implement strategies to engage stakeholders (including private sector, government, producers and communities) into the commodity boards activities. 
• 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 the establishment of a policy environment within the target sectors, as well as building the capacity of producers and buyers to effectively engage in sustainable supply chains. 
• Develop small-business management skills, enhanced traceability systems and establishment of a global-buyers group to link small-scale producers into global sustainable value chains and certification systems. 
• Support action on the review of existing legislations to identify how to coordinate sector-based approaches towards commodity production (particularly Palm Oil and Cocoa) and how to integrate with subnational land use planning process.
• Support the development of strategic planning for the implementation of commodity production (particularly Palm Oil and Cocoa) for Ward, LLG, District, and Provincial levels with the two Project Provincial Agricultural Specialist in West and East New Britain Provinces. 
• Ensure close coordination and advocacy with the relevant government agencies to ensure the endorsement and adoption of guidance and regulations for commodity production (particularly Palm Oil and Cocoa).  

• 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.