Job Description

UNDP proposes to engage a Climate Resilient Agriculture Specialist in Bhubaneswar for marketing and planning of agri-business as well as promotion of project supported commodities. S/He will be a part of the Project Management Unit to be established within the office of Directorate of Agriculture and will ensure engagement of all direct stakeholders and delivery of project objectives in coordination with the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Empowerment, Bhubaneswar when needed.Advise to design and implementation the agriculture plan

• Advise on agriculture planning, review agriculture plans and management at state level
• Ensure district level planning for crop diversification, rabi crop planning and others
• Coordinate with different officials from time to time for better implementation of the programme.
• Regular assessment of Agri business and market linkage activities
• Support in MIS development on agribusiness activities and monitor the marketing of the crops.

Provide Technical Guidance

• Support Chief District Agriculture Officer (CDAO) and District Level Project Monitoring Team (DLPMT) on agricultural activities.
• Facilitate Support Organizations in conducting their agricultural activities and CDAO at district level, State Agricultural University (SAU) and other relevant departments in their training and demonstration activities
• Work closely with Department of Agriculture & Farmers Empowerment (DA&FPO) for successful execution of planned activities for the financial year
• Coordinate with Training and Capacity Building expert to prepare the training programmes and course curriculum.
• Liaising with market players and other entities for promotion of agri-business activities

Ensures provision of top-quality advisory services and facilitation of knowledge building and management

• Periodic monitoring and supervision of activities implemented in project areas.
• Prepare the guidelines for different component of the Project.
• Visit different Micro Irrigation Project (MIP) points for monitoring of the programme implementation and direct interaction with the field officials and farmers, if required.
• Coordinate with Agri- marketing Expert for marketing of non-paddy crops.
• Efficient facilitation of business planning and credit linkage of Framers Producer Organizations (FPOs) and Agri Entrepreneurs (AEs)
• The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

CompetenciesCore 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

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:Business Direction and 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 Generation: Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for content, or responsive to a stated need

Business Management

• Monitoring: Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and programme performance and results

Partnership management

• Strategic engagement: Ability to capture and sustain attention, interest and agreement of high-level, influential policy and decision makers and secure their buy-in of high-level vision and objectives
• CSO engagement: Knowledge and understanding of CSOs and the ability to engage with CSOs

Digital Innovation

• Digital & Innovation: Ability to extract, analyse and visualize data (including Real-Time Data) to form meaningful insights and aid effective decision making

Required Skills and ExperienceEducation:

• Advanced university degree (master\'s degree or equivalent) in Agricultural Science from Indian Agricultural Research Institute / Any Central or State Agricultural University, or relevant related field is required OR
• A first-level university degree (bachelor\'s degree) in the above fields in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree in agriculture Science

Experience:

• Minimum 7 years (with master\'s degree) or minimum 9 years of experience (with a bachelor\'s degree) of relevant experience in the field of (agriculture/ horticulture) from Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) & Consortium of International Agricultural Research Centres (CGIAR) institutions/ central/ state agriculture departments/national or international organizations working on agriculture
• Significant working experience in Government or relevant multilateral institutions.
• Proven experience in supporting the uptake of green/climate smart practices in agricultural /agri value chains.
• Hands-on experience in improving soil and water resources management.
• Experience in designing large scale projects on agriculture and climate change in an asset
• Experience in supporting government/bilateral agencies in a technical advisory role, project development role or other related functions is an asset.
• Demonstrated skills for facilitation of business planning and credit linkage of Farmers Producers Organisation (FPOs) and Agri-Entrepreneurs (AEs) is an asset.
• Demonstrated Knowledge of and experience in gender mainstreaming in agriculture is an asset.
• Experience in applying new techniques in irrigation, cultivation, harvesting & marketing in the agriculture industry
• Demonstrated experience in application of technology in farm management systems, crop management systems or devices
• Demonstrated knowledge on crop-cultivation, farm resource management and minimizing post-harvest loss and wastage

Required languages:

• Excellent Oral and written communication in English & Odia.

DisclaimerUnder 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.

United Nations Development Programme