Sustainable Agriculture Productivity Improvement Project (SAPIP)

GAFSP GRANT No. TFOA2869

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

(CONSULTING  SERVICES – INDIVIDUAL SELECTION)

Country                  : Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste

Name of Project      : Sustainable Agriculture Productivity Improvement Project

Grant No                : TFOA2869

Assignment Title     : Project Assistant (National Position)

Reference No          : IC35 Comp 5       

The Government of Timor-Leste has received financing from the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP) through the Sustainable Agriculture Productivity Improvement Project (SAPIP). The project was designed with aim to increase the productivity and marketed production of smallholder agriculture in selected geographical locations in Timor-Leste namely Lautem (Raumoco watershed), Ainaro/Covalima (Belulic watershed), Liquiça/Ermera/ Bobonaro (Loes watershed), and Oecusse (Tono watershed). To support project implementation the SAPIP intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services (Individual Consultant) for the position of  Project Assistant.

A key function of the Project Assistant is responsible for ensuring that the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries(MAF) exercises effective management over GAFSP Grant funds in order to meet the SAPIP objectives.

The General task and responsibilities of the Project Assistant (PA) is to provide assistance in the PMU and to     assist the Deputy Project Director as follow:

• Provides the World Bank with regular updates on project implementation, in line with the requirements of the Project Implementation Manual, and particularly in advance of Implementation Support Missions by the World Bank team;
• Processes all necessary MAF documentation for requesting World Bank clearance for selected SAPIP procurement activities and project related documents;
• Ensures good collaboration and flow of information between the Municipal PIUs and the central PMU, as well as between MAF National and Municipal Offices and the PMU and PIUs.

Expertise and Qualification requirements:

It is required a skilled professional with previous experience in the management and coordination of large-scale projects. He or she is expected to have the following qualifications and experience:            

• Bachelor Degree in agriculture, forestry, natural resource management, community development, or related areas;
• At least 3 years of experience working in this position – previous experiences with donors-funded projects will be highly desirable
• Familiarity with and experience in government institutions and procedures would be an advantage;
• Ability to establish and maintain contacts with senior-level officials of the host government required. Excellent interpersonal skills are essential part of the job;
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, is required to obtain, evaluate and interpret factual data and to prepare accurate and complete reports and other documents.
• Good understanding of community needs assessment and group management;
• Good facilitation and communication skills – this position will be working with teams of professionals; and liaising with farmers and non-government organizations;
• Demonstrated ability to establish strong working relationships with project counterparts, which for this project will include at the municipal, national, and suco levels;
• Good computer literacy including with Microsoft Word, Excel and Powerpoint.     
• Good writing skills and the ability toprepare clear, concise reports
• Fluency in English and Tetum is mandatory.

Interested eligible consultants may obtain details of the Terms of Reference from the link https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PgCuvgCzzOdvmOqMONOF9a_o9RN9aeV7/view?usp=sharing

The email subject heading must be: MAF-SAPIP Project Assistant.

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to paragraph 1.9 of the World Bank’s Guidelines: Selection and Employment of Consultants [under IBRD Loans and IDA Credits & Grants] by World Bank Borrowers January 2011 (“Consultant Guidelines”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.   

A Consultant will be selected in accordance with Section V of the Consultant Guidelines.

All interested Individual consultants should submit the Expression of Interest describing your suitability to the above qualification requirements in English together with your latest curriculum vitae with two (2) traceable reference and a copy of latest Academic Diploma  and  send to the e-mail address given below by 26 April 2022, 17:00hrs Timor Leste Time. Late and incomplete applications will not be considered.

Women are encouraged to apply. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

SAPIP Project Management Unit

Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF)

Comoro, Dili Timor – Leste

Telp#+670 78186585, E-mail : [email protected] and  [email protected]