Special Advisor (Resource Mobilization, Partnerships and Donor Relations) at UNDP - Abuja

UNDP helps developing countries attract and use aid effectively. In all our activities, we encourage the protection of human rights, capacity development and the empowerment of women.

We are recruiting to fill the below position:

Job Title: Special Advisor (Resource Mobilization, Partnerships and Donor Relations)

Location: Abuja
Type of Contract: FTA International
Post Level: P-5

Background
The Agriculture Transformation Agenda (ATA), unveiled by the Honourable Minister for Agriculture presented opportunities for the provision of technical assistance and other support to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) for the scale up of positive inclusive markets experience in Nigeria. The ATA is aimed at establishing a sustainable agriculture and agribusiness in Nigeria to raise the income of rural farmers. UNDP through its project, Facility for Inclusive Markets (FIM) has offered to support the Government of Nigeria (GoN) in key demand areas that include developing and implementing key value chains in agriculture and agro-industry and enhancing inclusiveness. FIM will also work towards its goal of catalysing the scale up of positive Inclusive Market experience in Nigeria and as a platform for capturing knowledge in and out of Nigeria.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) is providing, through UNDP, long term technical assistance to the Agricultural Transformation Implementation Group (ATIG) as the organ established by the FMARD to implement the Agricultural Transformation Agenda. This support will compliment the UNDP-FIM project and ensure the successful delivery of the goals of the ATA. This project will provide critical technical expertise to strengthen the capacity of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to successfully implement the ATA. The UNDP-BMGF technical assistance to FMARD will support term technical assistance for capacity development and the expansion of value chains in agriculture and agro-industry, institutional policy support and direct intervention to farmers and other small holder value chain actors that are vital to ensuring inclusiveness and sustainable results in the creation of business opportunities and jobs at the grassroots.

The success of the agricultural transformation agenda depends to some extent on the ability of the FMARD to mobilize adequate resources to implement the transformation plan. Complimentary technical and funding resources to execute the transformation plan would need to be mobilized by forging strategic partnership with donors, Foundations and major Development Banks and institutions.

This post is Development Project Funded (DPF).

Duties and Responsibilities
The Special Adviser (Resource Mobilization, Partnerships and Donor Relations) will be responsible for mobilizing resources for the agricultural transformation action plan. The specific responsibilities are as follows:

• Develop and execute an aggressive resource mobilization strategic plan to generate financing for the agricultural transformation plan.
• Set clear resource mobilization targets for each of the value chains and meet the targets to ensure successful implementation.
• Prepare proposals for donors and development finance institutions to leverage additional resources for the agricultural transformation action plan.
• Support existing partnership and proactively identify new potential sources of fund to finance the activities of the transformation agenda
• Cultivate and manage the entire portfolio of donor partners with a view to building trust and ensuring a sustainable funding mechanism for the execution of the transformation plan
• Coordinate all the financing by external donors into the agricultural transformation agenda and provide monitoring and reporting to the donors.
• Set up a financial monitoring system for all donor funds for transparency and accountability.
• Ensure (in coordination with relevant value chain team leaders and other technical staff) that high quality technical and financial reports are developed and sent promptly to donors and other relevant partner institutions.
• Develop and maintain a donor database including contact details, areas of interest/objectives, funding and contractual modalities and formats with a view to sustaining existing cordial relationships and identifying new potential funding opportunities
• Develop a capacity building programme for relevant staff of the FMARD to enhance their resource mobilization skills.
• Acts as the contact point for the Secretariat of the Agricultural Transformation Implementation Council for resource mobilization issues, including providing inputs into day-to-day communications with donor partners and financial institutions regarding grants and loans.

Competencies
Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning

• Promotes knowledge management in UNDP and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example
• In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills

Development and Operational Effectiveness

• Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting
• Ability to lead formulation and monitoring of management projects
• Solid knowledge in financial resources and human resources management, contract, asset and procurement, information and communication technology, general administration
• Ability to lead business processes re-engineering, implementation of new systems (business side), and affect staff behavioral/ attitudinal change

Management and Leadership

• Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities
• Ability to lead effectively, mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills
• Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure
• Proven networking, team-building, organizational and communication skills

Required Skills and Experience

• Master’s degree in Business Administration, or Master’s /PHD in or Agriculture or other relevant subject
• 10 years in a senior management position in agricultural or related sector in Nigeria with a government, international or private sector agency
• Remarkable track record in developing and executing strategies plans and initiatives on agriculture development/transformation ( or related sectors)
• Demonstrated track record in building, leading and managing high-performing organizations and teams.
• Exceptional experience in communicating consistently, clearly and effectively with a broad range of stakeholders
• Deep knowledge of Nigeria and the ability to navigate the Nigerian system to achieve results.
• Fluency in English is essential. Fluency in one national language is desired.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

Application Closing Date
10th March, 2013

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click Here To Apply Online