Technical Specialist (Value Chain OVOP initiatives)

About LITACA/MRRD:

The project Livelihood Improvement in Tajik—Afghan Cross Border Areas (LITACA) is the first socio-economic development project between the Government of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the Republic of Tajikistan executed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) —Tajikistan Office in Tajik side and the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development (MRRD) of the Government of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Afghan side. The project is funded by the Government of Japan through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

LITACA II a 3 year initiative (2018 – 2020) to improve living standards and promote stability and security in the bordering provinces of Tajikistan and Afghanistan. This will be achieved by reducing poverty, supporting economic development and cross-border collaboration among the communities along the Tajik-Afghan border. More than 130,072people will directly benefit from LITACA project while the livelihoods of more than 1,823,828) people living in target bordering communities will be strengthened. The project will offer capacity development opportunities for the local governments, civil society and private sector organizations to sustainably manage local socio-economic development. As well, the project will offer investments for rehabilitating priority infrastructure initiatives and business development as a means of improving livelihoods of the target population, and thereby promoting stability and security in the region.

Job Description:

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of, and reporting to the Project Manager, Value Chain Specialist undertakes following roles and responsibilities:

Conduct researches, market improvements, monitors data collection and identification of high valued agricultural crops and non-agriculture products
Assists in the formation of value chain partnerships and networks, analyses collected information and prepare reports;
Identify value chain opportunities, notably by mapping and evaluating existing supply chains, and recommend additional priority opportunities for value chain development;
Outline value chain opportunities by developing project summaries and market analysis reports; 
Facilitate, monitor and supervise the process of selection of lead farmers and other producers groups and the setup of key component outputs and tools, including the training activities, transfer of technologies and facilitation of producer groups creation;
Assist entrepreneurs and prospective investors by providing advices and technical support, including business case development, economic viability analysis, risk assessments and feasibility of value chain projects;
Assist in the formation of value chain partnerships and networks, notably by assessing and reviewing existing value chain priorities, stakeholders and projects;
Develop and maintain a database of companies and agencies involved in supply chains and value chain activities; 
Maintain close coordination/linkages with the relevant ministries or agencies on implementation of project value chain development activities. Work closely with the Ministry of Commerce and Industries (MoCI), Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI) and Afghanistan International Chamber of Commerce (AICC), Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL)  and key stakeholders (NGOs, community institutions, private sector and etc) to coordinate the overall implementation of value chain development activities;
Draft framework agreements and manage linkages and coordination with main partners and stakeholders involved in value chain management;
Oversee the design and establishment of channels for regular information dissemination, sharing and networking among stakeholders communities (from local to national level);
Work collaboratively with relevant staff from the project to identify priority activities in the agribusiness, non-agro business and value chain sectors;
Promote the conditions for private sector involvement in high value non-agro and agricultural crops  agriculture supply and value chains, producers groups, civil society, and pro-poor public private and public-private-community partnerships;
Performing any other activities as directed by the Project Manager; 

Reporting

The incumbent will report to project manager.

Core competencies and skills

Builds staff competence and creates an environment of creativity and innovation;
Builds and promotes effective teams;
Creates and promotes environment for open communications;
Shares knowledge across the organization and builds a culture of knowledge sharing and learning; 
Management and team leadership ability
Having required skills in general management
Writing and communication ability in professional and related area

Functional competencies

Job knowledge/technical expertise - In-depth knowledge of the subject matter:

Understands more advanced aspects of primary area of specialization as well as the fundamental concepts of related disciplines;
Manage changes to scope, cost and schedule of project work;
Serves as internal consultant in the area of expertise and shares knowledge with staff;
Continues to seek new and improved methods and systems for accomplishing the work of the unit;
Keeps abreast of the new developments in the area of professional discipline and job knowledge and seeks to development him/herself professionally;
Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of information technology and applies it;
Demonstrates comprehensive understanding and knowledge of the current guidelines and project management tools and utilizes these regularly in work assignments;
In-depth knowledge on development issues, counter narcotics and alternative livelihoods in particular;
Ability to advocate and provide policy advice related to an integrated approach to alternative livelihoods improvement;

Organizational learning and knowledge sharing - Developing tools and mechanisms:

Makes case for innovative ideas documenting successes and building them into the design of new approaches;
Identifies new approaches and strategies that promote the use of tools and mechanisms;
Develops and/or participates in the development of tools and mechanisms, including identifying new approaches to promote individual and organizational learning and knowledge sharing and informal mechanisms.
Cooperate in the design, preparation and implementation of periodic training events for Project staff and field support teams;

Promoting accountability and results-based management - Input to the development of standards and policies

Provides inputs to the development of organizational standards for accountability and results-based management;
Develops and applies tools and techniques in assessing the application of programme and/or administer the policies and procedures
Scanning the Project/Division/Department environment, both political and technical, and identifying best practices and lessons learned and applying them to area of assignment.

Impact of Results

The key results have a profound impact on the delivery of the Project outputs and the achievement of Project targets and will contribute to the overall impact of the Project as well as to the overall development effectiveness of MRRD/UNDP activities in the country.

Job Requirements:

Education

 Bachelor’s degree with 5-year experience in in Business Administration or Commerce (or related fields) with (3) three years of professional experience. Master’s degree in the related field is an asset.

Experience

Bachelor’s degree with 5-year experience in the related field  in the area of value chain development or agri-business project development and implementation;
Ability to plan and operate from a broad strategic perspective to tactical implementation, and to translate thoughts into actionable plans;
Professional experience in program or administrative management;
Demonstrated experience in results-monitoring and implementation of systems and tools in the area of RBM and monitoring and evaluation is a requirement;
Experience in working at the country level, preferably in post-conflict environments;
Proven experience in the design and delivery of capacity development activities;
Strong organizational skills
Experience of working in multi-cultural teams is a requirement;
Knowledge of high valued agricultural products and the private sector in Afghanistan is an asset;
Strong communication skills both written and verbal, demonstrated report writing skills;
Computer literacy – MS office applications, web-based management information systems;

Language Requirements:

Fluent written and spoken English
Excellent language proficiency in spoken and written Pashto and Dari.

The LITACA II/MRRD shall place no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity under conditions of equality in its principles and subsidiary organ.

Submission Guideline:

Interested Afghans with the required qualifications and experience should submit their applications electronically through vacancies.hrcsd@mrrd.gov.af
While submitting your applications please mention the Title of the position plus Vacancy Number in the subject of the e-mail; please do NOT submit any other supporting documentation or educational certificates with your application. If you are short listed you will be asked to submit electronic copies of your educational certificates and if you are invited to written test you will be required to present the original certificates. Applications will not be accepted after the closing date of the position. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for written test Note: In the interests of open and fair competition and a merit based selection process applicants are advised that lobbying for a position , whether by the applicant or by any person acting on his or her behalf, shall result in the immediate disqualification of the candidate from further consideration. Applicants are strongly advised to inform potential supporters of this restriction which shall be strictly enforced.

Please don’t forget to type the Vacancy Announcement Number (1296/019/HRCSD/LITACA/MRRD) in Subject while applying online. Application without vacancy number will not be accepted. 

The Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan is highly committed to increase women’s participation in government sector therefore women are highly encouraged to apply.

Submission Email:

vacancies.hrcsd@mrrd.gov.af