Individual Consultant

 United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

Individual Consultant – Senior Consultant (RKVY)
Location :	Bhubaneswar, INDIA
Application Deadline :	04-Feb-21 (Midnight New York, USA)
Time left :	14d 21h 25m
Type of Contract :	Individual Contract
Post Level :	National Consultant
Languages Required :	English
Duration of Initial Contract :	One Year
Expected Duration of Assignment :	One Year
Background
Indian producers face several challenges to secure their household’s income, food provision while making an important economic contribution for the country. And one reason for the rising farm distress is crop failures and yield losses triggered by the vagaries of climate. The livelihood of a large proportion of India’s population—as the largest private enterprise with ~138 million farm families with an 18% contribution to national GDP—is at risk.   Any shock on agricultural production already has social and financial repercussions for both the population and the country as a whole; it impacts rural income levels, Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and, in the worst years, poverty rates. The redesigned schemes RKVY- RAFTAAR "Remunerative Approaches for Agriculture and Allied Sector Rejuvenation", aims at making farming a remunerative economic activity through strengthening the farmers efforts, risk mitigation and promoting agri-business entrepreneurship. In the states, Department of Agriculture and Farmers' Empowerment operates RKVY-RAFTAAR where the State Government prepares projects as per guidelines RKVY- RAFTAAR issued by the Government of India. The Country Programme Document (2018-2022) of United Nations Development Program’s (UNDP) approved by the Government of India has defined one of its foremost programme priorities and outcomes as “Institutional and systems strengthening for service delivery” as the single most innovations to achieve last mile developmental impact. UNDP has set up the Technical Support Unit for the implementation of RKVY, at MOA&FW  to improve institutional and programme responsiveness, increase coverage and better access among the marginalised and excluded farm households for the rural population in Odisha. Under this project UNDP is planning  to provide a technical support to the state government of Odisha, for which UNDP is planning to hire an Individual Consultant to provide technical support to Department of Agriculture, Government of Odisha in strengthening the RKVY across the state.
Duties and Responsibilities
Duties and Responsibilities: The Senior Consultant (RKVY), will be based at Bhubaneswar and shall work under the guidance and supervision of the Director, Agriculture.  The Senior Consultant (RKVY), is responsible for: -   ·        Support preparing State Agriculture Plan (SAP) & State Agriculture Infrastructure Development Programme (SAIDP) and ensuring the preparation of the District Agriculture Plans (DAPs). ·        Assist in developing projects, in conjunction with the line departments, keeping in view the RKVY guidelines, especially those related to value addition, innovation and agri-entrepreneurship ·        Examine Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) submitted by different implementing department/agencies on the basis of RKVY-RAFTAAR guidelines and its objectives linkage to Comprehensive District Agricultural Plan(CDAP)/State Agricultural Plan(SAP)/ State Agricultural Infrastructure Development Plan(SAIDP). ·        Effective coordination, preparation and appraisal of projects, implementing, monitoring, and evaluation with various Departments and implementing Agencies. ·        Assist SLPSC & SLSC in the fund allocation annual strategy in line with the State govt. priorities. ·        Management of funds received from the Central, and State Governments and disbursement of the funds to the implementing agencies. ·        Furnishing of utilization certificates and quarterly physical & financial progress reports to the Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers Welfare, GoI. ·        Effectively utilizing and regularly updating web enabled IT based RKVY Management Information System (RKVY-MIS). Liaison ·        Liaise relevant government agencies and all project partners for effective coordination of all project inputs; ·        Provide technical backstopping for inputs for training activities supported by the Project; ·        Provide timely inputs for the timely submission of all progress reports as may be required by UNDP, the Ministry of Agriculture; ·        Foster partnerships with key national and state government departments. Other tasks Perform any other tasks consistent with the level of the post and/ or assigned by the Reporting Officer; Director Agriculture/ Principal Secretary, Agriculture / Head of Office-UNDP-Odisha.
Competencies
Core Competencies: ·        Demonstrates integrity and ethical standards ·        Promotes the vision, and strategic goals of the organisation Functional Competencies: Job Knowledge/ Technical skills ·        Sound knowledge and experience in the field of Agriculture empowerment ·        Demonstrates substantive and technical knowledge to meet responsibilities and requirements of the post with excellence; ·        Possesses the capacity for strategic planning, result – based management and reporting;ication skills. Communication Skills ·        Good communication skills ·        Tailors and presents information to diverse audiences using a variety of communication delivery methods (e.g., written, electronic, oral, interpersonal) Documentation ·        Good interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations with people in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; Management Skills ·        Demonstrated skills connecting with a wide range of stakeholders, ·        Ability to participate and contribute consultative meetings at national and state level with partners and senior stakeholders to identify priorities and manage the timely delivery of project activities. ·        Reliable in delivering own parts of the work as part of a team effort ·        Demonstrates excellent work/project planning skills; Is open to change and ability to manage complex, ever-changing environments;
Required Skills and Experience
Education: Master's degree from a recognized University in Economics or Business Administration or Chartered Accountancy or in Law from a recognized University. Experience: Essential   ·        Ten years' experience in Business Organization, Consultancy Company, Public Sector Undertakings, or an autonomous body or any statutory body or any Industrial or development organization or financial institution. ·        Experience on formulation or implementation of policies/ programmes, or dealing with matters relating to ·       Formulation of Project Proposal; ·       Project Appraisal; ·       Project Financing; ·       Implementation of PPP projects; ·       Agriculture marketing; ·       Agro-processing. Desirable: Experience of working with Central and/or State Governments/ international agencies/ on similar assignments will be preferred.  Evaluation Method and Criteria: The award of the contract shall be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as Responsive to the requirement. Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted education and interview criteria specific to the solicitation. ·        Educational and experience Criteria weight - 40% ·        Interview Criteria weight – 60 %  Educational and Experience Criteria (40% of total evaluation) 1.     Education qualification as per TOR-10% 2.     Additional education qualifications relevant to agriculture and management-10% 3.     At least 10 years of experience of working in project formulation and management for social development space- 10% 4.     Experience working with the Central and/or State Government/International Organisations/NGOs - 10 % Interview Criteria: (60% of the total evaluation) based on the competency skill for tasks specified in this announcement Note - Please ensure that all the documents to be uploaded should be combined in a single PDF file before uploading as the system has provision of uploading only one document. Remuneration package  :            Rs. 76,600/- per month (inclusive of insurance) Deliverables and Schedule of Payment:  Monthly payment on submission of time sheet and monthly report of work done duly certified by the reporting officer Documents to be submitted by Consultants 1.     Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability for the Individual Contractor Assignment 2.     Updated and signed P-11 form for ICs 3.     Health and Life insurance documents

 For more information and online application click here