Job: International Consultant

Location: Yangon
Deadline: Thursday, 24 October 2013
Background
Myanmar is the world's second largest producer of opium poppy, with an estimated 57,814 hectares under cultivation in 2013, representing an increase of 13% over 2012 levels and almost triple the cultivation from the 2006 level of 21,600 hectares. UNODC estimates that over 335,000 households are dependent on opium poppy cultivation in Myanmar. Two-thirds of these households are dependent on opium poppy cultivation (OPC) for their food security. In southern Shan State's ceasefire areas this proportion is greater, and the food shortages are estimated to affect over 75% of the opium poppy growing population.
UNODC addresses these issues through its alternative development projects currently implemented in southern Shan State, where 90% of opium poppy is cultivated.
With 85 villages in Hopong, Loilen and Pinlon townships of southern Shan State targeted for projects support, UNODC works with the opium poppy growing farmers to provide alternative licit income opportunities to reduce food insecurity and support sustainable viable income for farmers.
In particular, UNODC works with the farmers to ensure increase of yields, reduction of crop loss and introduction of short-term food crops and permanent cash crops that can be grown based on available labor and environmental conditions. Reforestation activities, soil preservation techniques are implemented in the project areas.
UNODC is currently developing a long-term country strategy on alternative development aimed to improve the socio-economic situation of small farming communities and to reduce opium poppy cultivation. It is therefore critical to design alternative development activities with the right approach so that they can have the highest impact in the project areas.
Scope of work, responsibilities and description of proposed work
International consultant on Alternative Development will provide technical advice on the design of new and improvement of existing alternative development agriculture interventions in the project areas. The consultant will work under the overall supervision of UNODC Country Manager and in close cooperation with the UNODC Chief Technical Advisor on Alternative Development and will provide the following support:
1. Review and revise the strategy in the implementation of ongoing projects on Alternative Development in southern Shan State.
Analyze and provide advice on the agriculture technical packages applied in the project areas and provide recommendations on adaptation of technical packages for farmers to increase their effectiveness.
Review the capacities of the project implementation teams and provide guidance on strengthening their technical capacities.
Provide recommendations for possible new food crops and permanent cash crops and crop systems suitable for opium poppy cultivation areas.
Develop soil improvement and soil protection techniques in the highland areas affected by opium poppy cultivation.
Provide guidance on how to establish practical field demonstration and research plots for potential new crops (such as coffee, tea, fruit trees, etc.).
Provide recommendations on reforestation for small farmers, identify most suitable species and train the technicians how to implement nurseries, plantation and maintenance.Provide guidance on the use of bio-fertilizers by farmers (composting, use of microorganisms, etc.).
With existing organic waste, provide advice for the production of bio-fertilizers with the use of microorganisms.
Develop the final report with findings and recommendations on the improvement of alternative development agriculture interventions in the project areas.
For details, please refer to TOR attached.
Requirements for experience and qualifications
  • Advanced university degree (Master's Degree or equivalent) in Agriculture, Environmental Natural Resource Management, Social Sciences, Economics, Business Administration, Management or related field
  • At least ten years of progressively responsible professional experience in the area of Alternative Development activities, food security and livelihood development including agriculture, livestock, fisheries/aquaculture, and microfinance-based programmes
  • Five years of practical experience at the national and/or international level in providing management advisory services
  • Experience working at the community levelFor details, please refer to the TOR attached.
    4. DOCUMENTS TO BE INCLUDED WHEN SUBMITTING THE PROPOSAL
    Interested individual consultants are requested to submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualification:
    1. a) One Page cover letter explaining consultant's suitability for the work
    2. b) Financial proposal (lumpsum monthly fee, which includes consultancy fee , living allowance
      and travel to and from the Duty Station and other travel encompassed by the TOR).
    3. c) Personal CV including past experience in similar assignments carried out and at least three
      references (Selected candidate will need to provide UN Personal History form P- 11)
5. Evaluation
Selection will be made based on:
  • - Responsive/acceptable/compliant offer
  • - Having received the highest score Technical criteria weight 70% Financial criteria weight 30%
2
I. Position Information
Ref. No. : Job Title:
Type of Contract:
Duration of contract: Position:
Duty station:
UNODC/IC/009/2013
International Consultant on Alternative Development (sustainable rural
development for small farmers engaged in opium poppy cultivation)
Individual Contract
( 2 ) months One position
Yangon, Myanmar (travel to field sites as required)
II. Background
Myanmar is the world's second largest producer of opium poppy, with an estimated 57,814 hectares under cultivation in 2013, representing an increase of 13% over 2012 levels and almost triple the cultivation from the 2006 level of 21,600 hectares. UNODC estimates that over 335,000 households are dependent on opium poppy cultivation in Myanmar. Two-thirds of these households are dependent on opium poppy cultivation (OPC) for their food security. In southern Shan State's ceasefire areas this proportion is greater, and the food shortages are estimated to affect over 75% of the opium poppy growing population.
UNODC addresses these issues through its alternative development projects currently implemented in southern Shan State, where 90% of opium poppy is cultivated.
With 85 villages in Hopong, Loilen and Pinlon townships of southern Shan State targeted for projects support, UNODC works with the opium poppy growing farmers to provide alternative licit income opportunities to reduce food insecurity and support sustainable viable income for farmers.
In particular, UNODC works with the farmers to ensure increase of yields, reduction of crop loss and introduction of short-term food crops and permanent cash crops that can be grown based on available labor and environmental conditions. Reforestation activities, soil preservation techniques are implemented in the project areas.
UNODC is currently developing a long-term country strategy on alternative development aimed to improve the socio-economic situation of small farming communities and to reduce opium poppy cultivation. It is therefore critical to design alternative development activities with the right approach so that they can have the highest impact in the project areas.
International consultant on Alternative Development will provide technical advice on the design of new and improvement of existing alternative development agriculture interventions in the project areas. The consultant will work under the overall supervision of UNODC Country Manager and in close cooperation with the UNODC Chief Technical Advisor on Alternative Development .
III. Purpose of Consultancy
Provision of technical advice on the design of new and improvement of existing alternative development agriculture interventions in the project areas.
IV. Duration of Consultancy
Total duration of assignment will be 2 months Timeline of activities:
November- December 2013
V. Scope of work / Duties and Responsibilities
The consultant will perform the following duties:
1. 2.
3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
Review and revise the strategy in the implementation of ongoing projects on Alternative Development in southern Shan State.
Analyze and provide advice on the agriculture technical packages applied in the project areas and provide recommendations on adaptation of technical packages for farmers to increase their effectiveness.
Review the capacities of the project implementation teams and provide guidance on strengthening their technical capacities.
Provide recommendations for possible new food crops and permanent cash crops and crop systems suitable for opium poppy cultivation areas.
Develop soil improvement and soil protection techniques in the highland areas affected by opium poppy cultivation.
Provide guidance on how to establish practical field demonstration and research plots for potential new crops (such as coffee, tea, fruit trees, etc.).
Provide recommendations on reforestation for small farmers, identify most suitable species and train the technicians how to implement nurseries, plantation and maintenance.
Provide guidance on the use of bio-fertilizers by farmers (composting, use of microorganisms, etc.).
With existing organic waste, provide advice for the production of bio-fertilizers with the use of microorganisms.
Develop the final report with findings and recommendations on the improvement of alternative development agriculture interventions in the project areas.
VI. Expected Outputs and Deliverables
Technical capacities of the project team assessed and recommendations provided on their strengthening
Potential food crops and permanent crops identified for the projects areas
Project areas assessed in detail and recommendations provided on the agroforestry systems
and their improvement
Recommendations and training provided on the use of bio-fertilizers
Recommendations and training provided on the suitable reforestation practices
The final report developed with findings and recommendations on the improvement of
alternative development agriculture interventions in the project areas
2
VII. Recruitment Qualifications
Education
Advanced university degree (Master's Degree or equivalent) in Agriculture, Environmental Natural Resource Management, Social Sciences, Economics, Business Administration, Management or related field
Experience
At least ten years of progressively responsible professional experience in the area of Alternative Development activities, food security and livelihood development including agriculture, livestock, fisheries/aquaculture, and microfinance-based programmes
Five years of practical experience at the national and/or international level in providing management advisory services,
Experience working at the community level
Language

More

0 comments:

Post a Comment