Background

Northern Ukraine has approximately 3 million ha of wet peat soils, many of which have been drained for agriculture; approximately 1 million ha remain in a natural state. This landscape is a mosaic of steppe forests, wetlands, and river valleys, which sustain rich but threatened ecosystems. Livelihoods are agriculture-based, with livestock farming a key part of the economy. Although the drained peatlands briefly provided rich agriculture lands, over a short time the drained peatlands have become degraded, as mineralization and peat fires take a continuous toll, while emitting GHGs. The water table across the region continues to subside, which causes forest die-offs. Peat fires also have a significant negative impact on human health and local economies. Land use is not optimized, so agriculture continues to encroach on high value ecosystems. However, increased grazing and hay cutting could be beneficial in some abandoned lands in order to maintain biodiverse open peat meadows that are being overgrown by woody vegetation. Underlying drivers of this situation are limited local and national capacity and coordination in land use planning, limited technical knowledge for agriculture on wet peatlands (paludiculture), limited capital access and investment in sustainable agriculture, limited and deteriorating water management infrastructure, and livestock value chains that currently do not sufficiently incentivize sustainable livestock production in peatlands.

The project will catalyze a transition across the landscape to sustainable livestock farming in peatlands, while restoring key areas for maintenance of ecosystem services to support both vibrant livestock agriculture and biodiversity. This will be achieved through i) implementation of Integrated Land Use Plans (ILUPs); ii) promotion of sustainable livestock production practices and value chains, including a multi-stakeholder sustainable livestock platform; iii) conservation and restoration of natural habitats; and iv) coordination, learning, information dissemination, and knowledge management. Planned project results include more than 9,000 direct beneficiaries; improved status of biodiversity including 18 globally significant species; 150,000 ha under improved agriculture; 40,000 ha of land restored; 240,000 ha of high value peatlands and steppe forest ecosystems conserved; and increased knowledge and understanding of sustainable livestock practices in wet peat soils.

Against this context UNDP is seeking a Livestock and Value Chain Technical Analyst with strong experience in sustainable livestock and value chain. Under overall supervision and guidance from Project Manager, the Analyst will provide technical support under multiple project activities to produce outputs related to promotion of sustainable livestock production practices and responsible value chains management.

Duties and Responsibilities

a)   Support Project Manager to ensure effective implementation and achievement of results:
•    Provide technical expertise and support to the GEF Livestock project in Ukraine, mainly in sustainable livestock and value chain related part;
•    Coordinate and lead project activities on establishment of land user cooperatives, in support of sustainable livestock production;
•    Coordinate and lead project activities on pasture preparation, establishment of hay-making fields and use regimes, fields for feed crop production, and energy crops for sustainable fuel at livestock product processing facilities;
•    Organize and support stakeholder consultations relating to project activities, mainly in sustainable livestock and value chain related part;
•    Establish partnerships with large agricultural holding companies to improve environmental sustainability of agricultural production over substantial areas;
•    Coordinate and lead project activities on strengthening capacities of extension services;
•    Coordinate and lead project activities on establishment of a cooperative national platform with all key levels of the livestock value chain, focusing on the production, marketing and sale of paludiculture products;
•    Develop ToRs for technical support assignments;
•    Review and provide feedback on technical outputs from project technical contractors;
•    Provide technical backstopping to selected livestock pilots as per project contracts;
•    Provide regular inputs to progress reporting on sustainable livestock and value chain related part and respond to requests from the project board, including measures to address challenges and opportunities;
•    Contribute to preparation of the multi-year workplan, as needed, as well as annual and quarterly workplans if required;
•    Provide inputs to project monitoring requirements, such as annual PIR, and review reporting items;
•    Provide inputs to the monitoring and tracking of progress against the GEF Core indicator;
b)   Knowledge Sharing:
•    Support the project in engaging with regional and global activities and initiatives related to the Global FOLUR Platform and ensure strong project participation in and contributions to such activities and initiatives. Participate in the Green Commodities Program Community of Practice. Participate in FOLUR Global Platform trainings and capacity building events;
•    Participate in periodic needs assessment surveys and FOLUR Global Platform Annual Meetings to guide knowledge and outreach product development;
•    Capture lessons learned during project implementation.

c)   The incumbent of the position should avoid any kind of discriminatory behavior including gender discrimination and ensure that:
•    Human rights and gender equality is prioritized as an ethical principle within all actions;
•    Activities are designed and implemented in accordance with “Social and Environmental Standards of UNDP”;
•    Any kind of diversities based on ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, disability, religion, class, gender are respected within all implementations including data production;
•    Differentiated needs of women and men are considered;
•    Inclusive approach is reflected within all actions and implementations, in that sense an enabling and accessible setup in various senses such as disability gender language barrier is created;
•    Necessary arrangements to provide gender parity within all committees, meetings, trainings etc. introduced.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Project and the Organization.

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Project Manager, Livestock and Value Chain Technical Analyst is fully responsible for producing project outputs related to promotion of sustainable livestock production practices and responsible value chains management. Livestock and Value Chain Technical Analyst will provide full support to the Project Manager on project implementation to achieve the project results (outputs) as defined in the approved project document and in the annual work plans through timely implementation and quality monitoring.

Competencies

Required Skills and Experience

           Education:

•  Advanced University Degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Agricultural Economics, Economics, Business Administration, Public Administration Finance, Marketing, Management, Social Sciences or other closely related field is required, or
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor`s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with additional 2 years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of Master’s degree.

Experience:

• Up to 2 years (with Master´s degree) or minimum 2 years (with Bachelor´s degree) of relevant experience in the technical area of agricultural economics is required.
• Proven experience in preparing analytical papers, baseline analysis, compiling materials and/or publications in the subject area of the project (list of reference of prepared materials/publications required) would be an asset.
• Experience in working with UN agencies, other development partners, the government on programming in sustainable development, livestock etc. would be an asset.
• Experience in establishing and supporting initiatives that promote sustainable agricultural practices, including but not limited to the development of land user cooperatives, sustainable livestock production, and integrated farming systems would be an asset.
• Experience in establishing and supporting initiatives that promote sustainable agricultural practices, including but not limited to the development of land user cooperatives, sustainable livestock production, and integrated farming systems would be an asset.
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems.Language Requirements:
• Fluency in English and Ukrainian is required.

Disclaimer
Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Non-discrimination

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

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