Expert en Agriculture

UNOPS requires an expert retainer in agriculture to support the implementation of projects funded by the African Development Bank, the World Bank, and other technical and financial partners. The expert will provide remote technical support on agricultural activities including production, food security, value chains, inputs, irrigation, storage, agro-processing, extension services, and capacity building of producers.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical advice for the implementation of agricultural activities including feasibility, implementation risks, activity sequencing, beneficiary needs and sustainability measures.
• Review work plans, technical reports and approaches proposed by service providers.
• Prepare and review technical specifications and terms of reference related to agricultural goods, services or works including seeds, fertilizers, agricultural tools, irrigation kits, storage equipment, processing equipment, training services, agricultural studies and extension services.
• Support procurement cycle, technical evaluation and project development including purchase planning, market analysis, preparation of technical evaluation criteria, responses to technical clarifications and review of offers.
• Contribute to preparation of concept notes, project proposals, budgets and technical documents for donors.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in agronomy, agricultural sciences, crop production, agricultural economics, rural development, agro-economics, irrigation, soil sciences, agro-processing with at least 7 years of relevant professional experience or a Master's degree in a relevant discipline with at least 5 years of professional experience in a related field.
• 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 procurement documents is required.
• 5 years of experience in projects funded by international donors, multilateral banks or United Nations organizations is highly desirable.
• 5 years of experience working in Central Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo or fragile and logistically complex contexts is a strong asset.
• Good knowledge of agricultural production systems, agricultural value chains and rural livelihoods.
• Ability to analyze agricultural needs of beneficiaries and propose solutions adapted to the local context.
• Proficiency in preparing technical specifications for inputs, agricultural equipment, extension services, irrigation, storage and processing.
• Knowledge of good agricultural practices, climate-smart agriculture and sustainable natural resource management.
• Ability to evaluate the quality, relevance and technical feasibility of agricultural offers, reports and deliverables.
• Experience in market analysis, supplier evaluation and identification of risks related to agricultural procurement.
• Ability to contribute to project design, concept notes, logical frameworks, budgets and technical documents for donors.
• Fluent in French (required).
• Fluent in English (desirable).

Skills

• Agricultural Development
• Agriculture Value Chains
• Food Security
• Agricultural Inputs
• Irrigation Systems
• Post-Harvest Systems
• Rural Livelihoods
• Procurement Document Preparation
• Donor-funded Project Management
• Agricultural Production Systems
• Needs Assessment
• Technical Specifications Preparation
• Good Agricultural Practices
• Climate-Smart Agriculture
• Sustainable Resource Management
• Quality Evaluation
• Market Analysis
• Supplier Evaluation
• Risk Identification and Management
• Project Design
• Logical Frameworks
• Budget Preparation

Languages

French, English