Programme Management Advisor (Food Security and Agricultural Development Expert)

Key Functions

1. Programme design and implementation
2. Technical expertise and advisory support
3. Coordination and partnerships
4. Monitoring, reporting & knowledge management
5. Sustainability and climate change adaptation

Programme Design, implementation and resource leadership

• Lead the design and oversee implementation of agricultural development programs under LIFT’s  strategy, focusing on food security, climate resilience, and sustainable rural livelihoods – ensuring a bespoke approach when required.
• Develop methodologies for assessing the effectiveness of agricultural and development interventions and propose improvements based on findings.
• Ensure alignment of the projects under your scope with national priorities and global best practices for sustainable agriculture.
• Manage programme resources in accordance with UNOPS standards of ethics, integrity and accountability framework, and financial sustainability.
• Promote teamwork, collaboration and diversity by providing the team with clear direction, objectives, and guidance to enable them to perform, effectively and efficiently.

Technical expertise and advisory support

• Provide technical guidance and advisory on food security, climate change adaptation, and agricultural development to LIFT teams and implementing partners.
• Collaborate with relevant ministries, NGOs, and private sector actors to foster innovation in agricultural production and value chains.
• Promote the adoption of climate-resilient agricultural practices among smallholder farmers, including the use of new technologies and sustainable farming approaches.
• Continuously update key stakeholders on trends and opportunities in food and agricultural development.
• Coordination and partnerships
• Attend external food security and agricultural development initiatives on behalf of LIFT, maintaining strong relationships with relevant stakeholders.
• Facilitate multi-stakeholder dialogues on agricultural policies, food security strategies, and rural development to drive collaboration and knowledge sharing.

Monitoring, reporting, and knowledge management

• Develop systems to monitor the impact of LIFT’s agricultural programmes and ensure that they meet established goals and deliverables.
• Lead the preparation of high-quality reports, policy briefs, and presentations to communicate programme achievements to donors and stakeholders.
• Capture lessons learned and promote knowledge exchange on best practices in agricultural development and food security internally and externally.

Sustainability and climate change adaptation

• Ensure that LIFT’s programmes incorporate sustainability and climate change resilience strategies, particularly for smallholder farmers.
• Promote sustainable practices and advise on measures to mitigate the impact of climate change on agricultural production.
• Design and implement KPI´s to measure the impact of the different initiatives on sustainable practices within the projects.
• Lead the design and oversee implementation of agricultural development programs under LIFT’s  strategy, focusing on food security, climate resilience, and sustainable rural livelihoods – ensuring a bespoke approach when required.
• Develop methodologies for assessing the effectiveness of agricultural and development interventions and propose improvements based on findings.
• Ensure alignment of the projects under your scope with national priorities and global best practices for sustainable agriculture.
• Manage programme resources in accordance with UNOPS standards of ethics, integrity and accountability framework, and financial sustainability.
• Promote teamwork, collaboration and diversity by providing the team with clear direction, objectives, and guidance to enable them to perform, effectively and efficiently.

Education

• A Master’s degree preferably in Agriculture, Agricultural Economics, Rural Development, or a related field with 7 years of relevant experience is required.

• A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s) preferably in Agriculture, Agricultural Economics, Rural Development, or a related field with 2 additional years of relevant experience could be considered in lieu of the Master´s degree.

Experience

• A minimum of 7 years of progressive experience leading agricultural development, rural livelihoods, food security projects or related fields is required.

• Proven experience working on climate change adaptation in agriculture and promoting sustainable farming practices is highly desirable.

• Experience managing all levels of internal and external stakeholders is required. 

• Team leadership experience is required. 

• Experience working in Myanmar, or other  Southeast Asian countries, or other conflict-affected contexts is highly desirable.

• Demonstrated success in programme management, including the design and delivery of agricultural interventions with measurable outcomes is an asset.

• Experience in international organizations and/or international contexts is required. 

Language Requirements

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required.

• Knowledge of  Burmese is an asset.