International Consultant/Agribusiness Evaluation Specialist, Home Based

• Organization: UNOPS - United Nations Office for Project Services
• Country: Myanmar
• City: Yangon, Myanmar
• Office: UNOPS - United Nations Office for Project Services in Yangon
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Closing date: Sunday, 3 December 2017

Myanmar is one of UNOPS' leading offices in Asia, acting as fund manager for three of the largest development programmes in the country, namely the Three Millennium Development Goal Fund (3MDG), the Livelihood and Food Security Trust Fund (LIFT) and the Joint Peace Fund (JPF). In addition, UNOPS is Principal Recipient for the Global Fund in Myanmar and for the Global Fund's regional artemisinin-resistance initiative targeting drug resistant malaria in the greater Mekong sub-region. UNOPS provides procurement, infrastructure and project management services to a wide range of organizations in the country, including the Government of Myanmar, international development partners, other UN agencies, NGOs and INGOs. UNOPS plays a critical role in ensuring that the quality of services provided to its partners meets stringent requirements of speed, efficiency and cost effectiveness.
The Livelihoods and Food Security Trust Fund (LIFT) is a multi-donor fund established in 2009 to address food insecurity and income poverty in Myanmar. LIFT has received funding from 14 donors – the United Kingdom, the European Union, Australia, Switzerland, Denmark, the United States, the Netherlands, Sweden, France, Luxembourg, Italy, New Zealand, Ireland and Mitsubishi Corporation. The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is the Fund Manager to administer the funds and provide monitoring and oversight.
The overall goal of LIFT is to sustainably reduce the number of people living in poverty and hunger in Myanmar. LIFT's purpose is to improve the incomes and nutrition status of poor people in Myanmar by promoting resilient livelihoods and food security. LIFT's designated outcomes are improvements in income, resilience, nutrition, and pro-poor policy developments.
LIFT works with implementing partners that include international and national non-government organisations, United Nations agencies, the Government of Myanmar, private sector organisations, academic and research institutions.
LIFT is active in the four main agro-ecological zones of Myanmar: the Ayeyarwady Delta, the coastal region of Rakhine State, the central dry zone (including Mandalay, Magway and the southern Sagaing region), and the upland areas of Chin, Kachin, Kayah, Kayin and Shan States and Tanintharyi Region.
So far, LIFT has reached more than 7.2 million people, or roughly 20 per cent of Myanmar's population; and is active in almost half the country's townships. LIFT is funding projects through to June 2019. For more details, visit www.lift-fund.org.
LIFT supports projects that are carried out by implementing partners (IPs) according to a grant agreement. LIFT supported projects are subject to a midterm review and a final evaluation managed by the LIFT Fund Management Office. LIFT now would like to engage a consultant to carry out a final evaluation for the project ' Water for Livelihood and Smallholders Prosperity (WFL)', see Annex 1 for a description.
LIFT recognizes that the private sector is fundamental to achieving its strategic goals and contributing to poverty reduction in Myanmar. LIFT is engaging with the private sector at different levels. In December 2015, LIFT entered a grant agreement with PRIME Agri Ltd on the project, ' Water for Livelihood and Smallholders Prosperity (WFL)', for details see Annex 1. The project will end in December 2017, and a final evaluation is required.
Objective of the Evaluation
The consultant will evaluate the project period from January to December 2017. The evaluation is to assess the extent to which the project has achieved the targeted results based on the project strategy, objectives and components, and work plan as per agreement with LIFT. The evaluation will discern overall lessons and best practices of the project implementation in 2017. The evaluation will also assess achievements of the project on the basis of the overall LIFT strategy and outcomes. The specific objectives of the evaluation are to:

• Independently assess the results of project activities against planned outputs, targets and milestones (495 smallholders with 990 acres, from January to December 2017);
• Independently assess the implementation and the management of implementation constraints and challenges faced by the project;

The consultant will be under the direct supervision of the LIFT Rural Finance and Agricultural Program Officer.
Scope of the Evaluation
The specific project implementation period (January to December 2017) will be evaluated. The evaluation will assess the performance of the project in terms of effectiveness, efficiency, and timeliness of producing the expected outputs. More specifically, the evaluation will review the level of interest of smallholder farmers, adoption of drip irrigation technology by smallholder farmers, procurement of irrigation equipment, effectiveness of delivery platforms, capacity building and financing options for farmers. It will also review whether the project's implementation strategy and approach address the issues of market development of smallholder farmers. The specific objectives/tasks are to:
Effectiveness: Assess the results of the implemented project activities against planned outputs, targets and milestones. Assess the quality and timeliness of inputs, the reporting and monitoring system.
Efficiency: Assess the extent to which the project has delivered value for money thus far, in terms of costs and major benefits or potential benefits, as well as the cost-efficiency of project interventions and the quality and timeliness of inputs.
Approach and Methodology
Suggested data sources and collection methods include:

• Review of project documents, such as WFL's project proposal, work plan, budget, data records and progress report.
• Conduct consultations/interviews with LIFT Program Officers, WFL project leaders and relevant project stakeholders and partners in Yangon and in Southern Shan.
• Site visits, which includes observation leased farmers' farms, demonstration farms, and consultations with community leaders, WFL staff and other relevant stakeholders.

The consultant will clearly demarcate between sources of information, comment, opinion and interpretation.
Deliverables and Timelines
Typical deliverables of project evaluations include; work plan, evaluation questions and guidelines for the interview, debriefing, a draft final report and final evaluation report. The consultant will provide a work plan at the start of the consultancy, and agree with the supervisor on the timing of all the deliverables.
Duration and Timing
The consultant will work for 15 working days within one month period between November and December 2017. It is estimated that 50% will be home based and travel to Myanmar.
Field work will be conducted after holding consultations in Yangon, followed by a debriefing session in Yangon. A draft final report must be submitted after the debriefing and final report must be submitted within 7 calendar days after written feedback from LIFT.
Management Arrangements
The Fund Management Office will support the consultant by:

• Providing the appropriate reports and materials
• Organizing the logistics for the consultations and briefing session in Yangon, including inviting participants and covering the costs of the venue, materials, and lunch/ refreshments
• Organizing meetings with and accompanying the consultant on those visits
• Selecting stakeholders
• Arranging field visits for the consultant

The selected consultant is responsible for the overall management of evaluation activities, such as designing the review, arranging necessary meetings, and making all other logistical and administrative arrangements, such as vehicle rentals and drivers, lodging, workspace, computers, Internet access, printing and photocopying. All forms of insurance are the responsibility of the selected consulting firm.
Education

• A Master's Degree in business administration, agricultural economics, agriculture and water resource management, rural development, socio-economics, economics or related field is required.
• A Bachelor's degree in related field in combination with 2 additional years of experience in similar positions may be accepted in lieu of Master's degree.

Experience

• A minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in monitoring and evaluation, programme management, project management, knowledge management or results based management is required.
• At least 5 years of working experience in project evaluations is required.
• Demonstrated experience in agriculture /agribusiness management of project activities is required.
• Extensive working experience with the private sector and in different businesses of the agricultural sector would be an asset.
• Extensive knowledge of experience working with agribusiness companies or irrigation projects would be an asset.
• Experience of working and/or cooperating with multiple development partners, including multi-lateral institutions would be an asset.
• Understanding the context of Myanmar agriculture and related working experience would be an asset.
• Computer literacy in Microsoft packages (MS Word, MS Excel, and MS Access) is required.

Language

• Fluency in both written and spoken English is essential.

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.
Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.
Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.
Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).
Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.
Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.
Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.
Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground. Contract type: International Individual Contractor Agreement Contract level: IICA 3 Contract duration: 15 working days within one month period (December 2017) For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link: https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks. Special considerations The applicants are requested to indicate fee expectations in USD. Note that this is a homebased contract with at least 30% travel to Myanmar. Reimbursement of travel and payment of Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA) will be paid according to UN rules and regulations. Noted that this is for a desk review assessment and only the most relevant profiles will be reviewed for the further recommendation. No interview will be conducted. By applying, you are expressing your interest in this position.
UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner.
Working in some of the world's most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices, always satisfying or surpassing our partners' expectations.
With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, wherever they need it.
A flexible structure and global reach means that we can quickly respond to our partners' needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale.