Job - National Consultant for Agro-processing Strategy Development, UNDP, Armenia

Publish Date: May 11, 2017

Deadline: May 21, 2017

National Consultant for Agro-processing Strategy Development

Background

UNDP interventions in agricultural sector consider complexity of territorial and area based development, specifics of production and consumption patterns as well as additionalities and externalities of agro sector in Armenia.
 
In this content the Producer Group and Value Chain Development considered an important article production and improved access to affordable, better quality food commodities.

UNDP activities are in line with the Strategy for Sustainable Agricultural Development of the Government of Armenia to develop the agro-processing sector, which is crucial for rural growth, more balanced regional development and employment generation. The targets of government support to agro-processing and other value addition include the introduction of advanced technologies and increased competitiveness of products. Through linking the important government priorities UNDP aims to consolidate its impact and lessons learnt by introducing a national-level agro-processing strategy.

In order to ensure sustainability of investments UNDP will support Center for Strategic Initiatives development of the new strategy on agro-processing of Armenia.

Assignment Objective

The objective of the Strategic Initiatives Center (CSI) is to promote the implementation of the pivotal reforms in Armenia and the growth in the export volume, as well as involvement of long-term foreign investments. The Center will focus on the spheres of public administration, information and high technology, tourism, agriculture and processing, education, tax and customs administration, as well as other areas, if needed.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the Sustainable Growth and Resilience Portfolio Analyst and direct supervision of Project Coordinator (PC) in close collaboration with the Director of Center for Strategic Initiatives National Consultant is expected to develop the vision and strategy of agro-processing industry development in Armenia and suggest/identify possible strategic interventions to support local agro-processors.

The strategy document should include but not limited to the following:

Policy Review

  • Review of the government’s agricultural, local development and other respective policies and programmes in the context of the agro-processing development.

Sector Profile

  • Profiling current state, potential and trends of local agro-processing in Armenia in terms of production and consumption patterns, regional distribution, markets, industry, sources of finance, technologies applied, etc.

Stakeholder Mapping and Engagement

  •  Conduct a comprehensive mapping and engagement mechanisms and incentives: A comprehensive mapping of the global value chain for the agro-processing sector identified above and including actors (i.e. growers, producers, service providers, exporters); enablers (business support organizations, etc.); drivers (public institutions and ministries); and factors (buyers, consumers, quality/standards, trade agreements, transportation/logistics, trends, etc.)
  • Assessment of existing Agricultural Support Center including their institutional set up, efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability and come up with proposal on improvements.

Sector Strategy and Implementation Arrangements

  • presenting vision, objectives, development outcomes, institutional capacity development, Government/public sector interventions, private sector interventions, finance and other sector mechanisms, investment opportunities, etc. Presenting strategic interventions in the sector with a view to facilitate the development of business linkages, synergies, improved competitiveness and sustainability. This should address but not be limited to modalities on how to:
  • facilitate access to incentives and support packages
  • facilitate access to infrastructure
  • promote value chain linkages
  • support technical and managerial training
  • facilitate access to appropriate technology
  • facilitate access to business development services
  • intervention models
  • supporting a cluster approach
  • promoting incubators
  • supporting niche products for internal market and exports
  • ensure income generation, value addition, employment creation and rural poverty reduction) in local agro-processing industry.
  • other relevant issues

Conclusions and recommendations

  • Summary of major conclusions and recommendations.

In the developing the strategy the special attention should be given to climate-smart agricultural practices and risk-informed agricultural development.
 

Expected Outputs and Deliverables

Deliverables/ Outputs

Estimated Duration to Complete

Target Due Dates

Review and Approvals Required

A draft vision and strategy detailing the sections presented above

20 days

June 20 2017

PC and CSI

A final strategy addressing additions and comments provided by UNDP and the Center for Strategic Initiatives

40 days

Aug 20 2017

PC and CSI

Assessment of Agricultural Support Centers and proposal on improvements.

30 days

October 2 2017

PC and CSI

A final report summarizing the goals and objectives, the activities implemented during the assignment and the results achieved

10 days

October 19 2017

PC and CSI

Competencies

  • Ability to interpret results and provide practical recommendations.
  • Excellent communication and analytical skills.
  • Strong research and networking skills;
  • High level of motivation, ability to show initiative and work independently;
  • Excellent ability to write and communicate orally with accuracy and professionalism;
  • Ability to communicate effectively across different constituencies;
  • Strong interpersonal skills with ability to establish and maintain effective work relationships with people of different social and cultural background
  • Ability to deliver and reach the planned targets without undermining proper operational processes
  • Creativity, flexibility and an innovative approach to problem solving
  • Proven ability to work within the set time frames on multiple activities and tasks concurrently
  • Excellent computer literacy, knowledge of MS office software and web based applications.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

  • Advanced university degree in Economics, Agriculture, Business Administration or a related discipline.

Experience

  • at least  five (5) years of relevant experience related to agriculture sector development, rural business development, agro-possessing, value chain analysis or other related areas.
  • at least three (3) similar assignments related to the preparation, formulation and development of strategy papers, industry analysis, analytical papers or other related tasks within the last five (5) years.

Languages:

  • Excellent knowledge  of Armenian and English, knowledge of Russian is an asset

PAYMENT TERMS

 Payment will be made upon confirmation of UNDP and CSI on delivery of the outputs in a satisfactory manner using the following instalments:

  • 30% - upon the preparation and submission of the draft vision and strategy and its acceptance by UNDP and the Center for Strategic Initiatives;
  • 50% - upon the preparation and submission of 1) the final strategy, 2) assessment of Agricultural Support Centers and proposal on improvements, and its acceptance by UNDP and the Center for Strategic Initiatives;
  • 20% - upon the preparation and submission of the final report and its acceptance by UNDP and the Center for Strategic Initiatives.

Evaluation of the outputs is the responsibility of the Project Coordinator and CSI focal point.
UNDP reserves the right to:

  • adjust activities and deliverables;
  • terminate the contract at any phase if the requirements as per the TOR are not met.
  • the Consultant reserves the right to suggest adjustment to commitments in the event of delays outside his/her control.

TIMING AND REPORTING

The Consultant will be engaged on short-term base, up to 100 working days during 6 months period under Individual Contract arrangement, under the direct supervision of the Project Coordinator and within the overall advice of UNDP SGR (Sustainable Growth and Resilience) Portfolio Analyst and in close cooperation with the CSI team.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTION OF BEST OFFER

Individual expert will be evaluated based on combined scoring method as following:

When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:
a) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and
b) having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

  • Technical Criteria weight: 70%;
  • Financial Criteria weight: 30%;

* Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 70 points under Technical Criteria would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Technical Criteria

Description

Max. Point 100

Criterion A

Education and training relative to the assignment

15

Criterion B

At least 5 years of working experience  in required field

25

Criterion C

Experience in country/regional agriculture strategy development

10

Criterion D

Number of similar tasks implemented

5

Criterion E

Knowledge of English and Armenian

5

Criterion F

Interview

40

Note: Please note you can upload only one document to this application (scan all documents in one single PDF file to attach).

Similar Opportunities


Disciplines

Agriculture

Business

Business Administration

Development Studies

Economics

Policy

Host Countries

Armenia