Job: Technical Advisor

Location: Yangon, Myanmar 
Deadline: Thursday, 24 October 2013 

Description

Vacancy Announcement - VA/13/13

JOB DESCRIPTION

Position/Title Organization: Technical Advisor Land Core Group FSWG (Food Security Working Group) Chair (Land Core Group)

Reports to: Land Core Group Technical advisor

Location : Based in Yangon

Duration of Contract: One Year Contract with 3 months probation period

Closing date of application VA/13/13 : October 24, 2013, Thursday 1- Position

1. Background

The FSWG Food Security Working Group (FSWG) in Yangon, is a member based network of non-governmental organizations, community based organizations and individuals addressing food security in Myanmar, directly engaging with members to develop their knowledge and skill on food security and mobilizing the collective capacities of the network to identify and formulate issues for research, dialogue and policy advocacy that will benefit the lives of vulnerable communities in Myanmar. The FSWG promotes its themes through forming and mobilizing the thematic working groups. The Land Core Group (LCG) is one of these thematic groups with more than 50 committed INGOs, LNGOs and individuals, working on land related issues. The LCG has created a framework program plan to inform ongoing collective action towards pro-poor land reform. The program plan takes as its guiding assumption that smallholder farmer land tenure security is acritical foundation for the sustainable economic, social and environmental development of the nation. The program goal and purpose are:

Overall Goal: Laws, policies and institutions for land and natural resource access are formulated and effectively implemented to support sustainable economic, social and environmental development that balances the contributions of smallholder farmers and large-scale investment to national growth. Program purpose: To ensure that laws, policies and institutions related to access to land in Myanmar are articulated and implemented to support the rights of smallholder farmers and to enable their meaningful contribution to agricultural economic development. Among smallholder farmers, the programme has a particular focus on women, ethnic minorities, and upland or taungya farmers, and those populations with particular vulnerabilities related to access to land.

The LCG programme has 3 distinct components 1) research to provide evidence for advocacy to influence policy; 2) development of IEC materials and using these for capacity building; 3) advocacy to promote pro-poor land reform. FSWG-LCG is therefore seeking a qualified candidate (either national or international) to fill this demanding post of Technical Advisor to take forward our important work on land rights.

Position Responsibilities

The LCG Technical Advisor is responsible for the following:

Overall To oversee implementation of the LCG programme plan by the network members. Detailed responsibilities Communication, Coordination, Networking and Advocacy

Strengthen the network by increasing membership and engagement with members on substantive land related issues Engage with farmers' networks to understand their opinions through the LCG members Assist FSWG-LCG policy advocacy efforts in support of smallholder farmers Strengthen relationships with government line departments and ministries – particularly Ministry of Environmental Conservation and Forestry (MOECAF) and Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation (MoAI) Build relationships with the private sector and influence their business models Enhance linkages with regional groups working on land issues and organise events which involve stakeholders across the region Engage in policy advocacy in the home countries of key investors in Myanmar Prepare policy briefs based on research findings and the experience of members to be used in advocacy Coordinate with LCG members to prepare and disseminate land related IEC interpretation materials for use by diverse stakeholders Prepare media briefs and ensure regular engagement with the media Communicate impacts and results from LCG work to relevant stakeholders, including members, communities, government, civil society and other thematic networks to ensure mutual learning and effective collaboration

Programme Cycle Management

• Staff Management
• Project Management
• Required Competencies

The successful candidate should have the following competencies: Work with the FSWG Secretariat Team to manage project budgets directly and ensure expenditure is line with agreements and delivers expected results Prepare and submit information to donors, reports, updates and other communications in a timely manner Manage a small team dedicated to delivering high quality outputs related to land tenure Lead on staff development and capacity building Undertake performance review and appraisal of line managed staff Lead on implementation of the programme plan through supporting LCG members to incorporate elements into their own programme planning activities Manage complex research projects delivered through consultants and LCG member partners. These projects will often be conducted across different locations in Myanmar and will draw on global/regional best practice and lessons learnt Take the lead in conducting thematic focussed symposia, workshops and campaigns which mobilise public support, raise awareness and influence decision makers Establish a mechanism to monitor impact of LCG members activities with a view to ensuring all efforts contribute to maximising policy and practice changes

1. Experience of Myanmar socio-political issues, related to land, natural resource management and/or community development, including an understanding of the politics and sensitivities of land-issues

2. Good understanding of the Myanmar rural economy, particularly agrarian communities and/or comparative understanding of such issues in neighbouring countries

3. Effective at building and strengthening coalitions across civil society, government and the private sector

4. Adept at preparing policy and media briefs

5. Have experience in managing donor-funded programmes, in terms of strategic direction as well as in terms of financial/administrative management of the programmes

6. Effective at building and strengthening partnerships between government and civil society

7. Good oral and written communication in English and/or Burmese

Terms and Conditions of Position

This is an unaccompanied one-year full-time contracted post (with the possibility of extension until the end of the programme).

This post is to start immediately. For successful candidates moving from overseas, only the cost of travel from home country to Myanmar will be covered. A competitive salary will be provided, commensurate with experience. Housing for and medical allowance will be covered for successful overseas candidates FSWG is seeking qualified professionals to assist FSWG to implement its 'Harnessing resources and partnerships to achieve food security in Myanmar' project. Note: Interest and qualified candidate are to send a Cover Letter and Curriculum Vitae to Human Resources Department or by email to fswg.hrofficer@gmail.com no later than October 24, 2013, Thursday 5.30 pm

FSWG Food Security Working Group No.114, Danatheikdi Lane, Gandamar Street, Kabaaye Pagoda Road, Ward (8), Mayangone Township, Yangon 11061 Tel: +95 09425026461 – 462 Phone/Fax : 01 660064 E-mail : fswg.hrofficer@gmail.com www.myanmarfswg.org APPLICATION DEADLINE:

October 24, 2013, Thursday 5:30 pm Submit resumes and cover letter to fswg.hrofficer@gmail.com Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

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More Info and Application