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Provincial Agriculture Technical Analyst (Food Systems, Land Use & Restoration) 2 openings in Kimbe and Kokopo

Kimbe

  • Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
  • Location: Kimbe
  • Grade: Level not specified - Level not specified
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Agriculture and Forestry
    • Nutrition
    • Civil Society and Local governance
    • Food Security, Livestock and Livelihoods
    • Human Settlements (Shelter, Housing, Land, Property)
    • Natural Resource Management
  • Closing Date: Closed

Background
 
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP:  we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.
 
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

The two recruited Provincial Agriculture Technical Specialists (PATS - West New Britain Province and East New Britain Province) will be based within the Provincial Administration Offices. The PATS will act as the central technical officers for agriculture at the provincial level. Working closely with the National Agriculture Technical Specialist (NATS) they will help to coordinate, facilitate and input into all technical work linked to agriculture at the provincial level. They will also play an important role in integrating work under Component 2 into the Land Use and Development Planning processes under Component 1 in close collaboration with the Provincial Coordinator and Land Use Specialist.

Duties and Responsibilities 

The two Provincial Agriculture Technical Specialists for West and East New Britain Provinces will report to and be directly supervised by the Project Manager. The Provincial Agriculture Technical Specialists will be also expected to work under the technical direction of the National Agriculture Technical Specialist and under the overall guidance of the the UNDP Chief Technical Advisor. 

The Provincial Agriculture Technical Specialists will be working closely with provincial counterparts, civil society, private sector in planning and coordinating the interventions of the key actors involved in the implementation. 

The two Provincial Agriculture Technical Specialists will be based at the project sites. One in Kimbe Bay, West New Britain Province and Kokopo, and one in East New Britain respectively. 

  • Coordinate technical inputs under Component 2 of the GEF FOLUR Project at provincial level to ensure that they build on existing actions and are effectively integrated into the work of provincial and other subnational levels of government. 
  • Support the development of provincial agriculture action plans and policies for cocoa and oil palm ensuring links with national processes.
  • Provide support and assistance and actively work with the Project Technical Partner (Department of Agriculture and Livestock) and other relevant stakeholders at the provincial sites.
  • Support to the development of multi-stakeholder engagement processes for Palm Oil and Cocoa at the provincial levels.
  • 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 awareness raising across provincial, district and LLG officers and other key stakeholders on Component 2 Agriculture activities within the provinces.
  • Communicate with the other Provincial Agriculture Technical Specialist appointed by the GEF FOLUR Project, to share information on activities and support each other to resolve implementation challenges.
  • Provide the Project Manager and  NATS with weekly updates by email, on progress, results, challenges, proposed solutions and actions for the following week related to Component 2 activities at the provincial sites.  
Competencies

Core competencies:

  • Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline.
  • Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements.
  • Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback.
  • Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible. 
  • Act with Determination:  LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident.
  • Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships.
  • Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination. 

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:

Business Direction & Strategy

  • Effective Decision Making: Ability to take decisions in a time and efficient manner in line with one’s authority, area of expertise and resources.

Business Development

  • UNDP Representation: Ability to represent UNDP and productively share UNDP knowledge and activities; advocate for UNDP, its values, mission, and work with various constituencies.

Business Management

  • Partnerships Management: Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts, and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies.
  • Communication: Ability to communicate in a clear, concise, and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience; Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media, and other appropriate channels.
  • Portfolio Management: Ability to select, prioritize and control the organization’s programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimizing return on investment

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 organization, 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 in agriculture economics/development practices, agribusiness, agricultural extension, green commodities, or other related fields.
  • Bachelor Degree in agriculture economics/development practices, agribusiness, agricultural extension, green commodities, or other related fields with 2 years of relevant experience.
Experience:
  • Minimum of 2 years of professional experience in providing management advisory services, hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation, budget and financial resources in agricultural commodities for Bachelor’s degree holders
  •  At least 2 years’ experience in palm oil and/or cocoa sectors is desirable.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Ability to write clear and concise reports for an international audience.
  • Experience in project management

Language Requirement:

  • Fluency in spoken and written Tok Pisin and English.
Disclaimer

 

 
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.

 
Non-discrimination

 
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.  

 
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status. 

 
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