Expert in Agriculture at United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)

Role Purpose

• Under the supervision of the CAMCO Country Manager, the Agriculture Retainer will provide remote technical support, upon request, to the UNOPS CAMCO teams. He/she will provide advice on the design, implementation, procurement planning, preparation of technical specifications, technical evaluation of bids and quality control of agricultural activities.
• The retainer will be able to intervene on topics such as crops, agricultural inputs, irrigation, agricultural equipment, post-harvest systems, storage, agro-processing, extension, climate-smart agriculture and agricultural value chains.

Functions and key deliverables

Provide technical advice for the implementation of agricultural activities

• The retainer will advise the project teams on the technical feasibility of agricultural activities, implementation risks, sequencing of activities, beneficiary needs and sustainability measures. He/she may review work plans, technical reports and approaches proposed by contractors.

Prepare and revise technical specifications and agricultural terms of reference

• The retainer will prepare or revise technical specifications and terms of reference for goods, services or agricultural work. This can include seeds, fertilizers, agricultural tools, irrigation kits, storage equipment, processing equipment, training services, agricultural studies and extension services.

Support the procurement cycle, technical evaluation and project development

• The retainer will support procurement planning, market analysis, preparation of technical evaluation criteria, responses to technical clarifications, and review of bids. He/she may also contribute to the preparation of concept notes, project proposals, budgets and technical documents for donors.

Skills

• Agriculture, Project Engineering, Project Estimation, Sustainable Agriculture

Competencies

Education Requirements

Required

• Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in Agronomy, Agricultural Sciences, Crop Production, Agricultural Economics, Rural Development, Agricultural Economics, Irrigation, Soil Sciences, Agro-Processing with at least 7 years of relevant professional experience or
• Master's degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline in agronomy, agricultural sciences, crop production, agricultural economics, rural development, agroeconomics, irrigation, soil science, agro-processing with at least 5 years of professional experience in a related field is required.

Experience Requirements

Required

• At least 7 years of relevant professional experience with a Bachelor's degree, or 5 years (with a Master's degree) in agricultural development, agricultural value chains, food security, agricultural inputs, irrigation, post-harvest systems, rural livelihoods or donor-funded agricultural projects.
• 5 years of experience in preparing documents for procurement processes is required.

Desired

• 5 years of experience in projects funded by international donors, multilateral banks or UN organizations is highly desired.
• 5 years of experience working in Central Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo or in fragile and logistically complex contexts is a strong asset.

Technical skills

• Good knowledge of agricultural production systems, agricultural value chains and rural livelihoods.
• Ability to analyze the agricultural needs of beneficiaries and propose solutions adapted to the local context.
• Mastery of the preparation of technical specifications for inputs, agricultural equipment, extension services, irrigation, storage and processing.
• Knowledge of good agricultural practices, climate-smart agriculture and sustainable management of natural resources.
• Ability to assess the quality, relevance and technical feasibility of agricultural offers, reports and deliverables.
• Experience in market analysis, supplier assessment and identification of risks related to agricultural procurement.
• Ability to contribute to the design of projects, concept notes, logical frameworks, budgets and technical documents for donors.