JOB VACANCY - HIVOS

Hivos is a Dutch non-governmental organisation inspired by humanist values.
Together with local organisations in developing countries, Hivos seeks to contribute to a free, fair and sustainable world in which citizens - women and men - have equal access to the resources and opportunities for their development. And where they can actively and equally participate in decision-making processes that determine their lives, their society and their future.

Hivos believes in the creativity and capacity of individuals. Quality, co-operation and innovation form the core concepts in Hivos’ philosophy.
Hivos is committed to the poor and marginalised in Africa, Asia and Latin America. A sustainable improvement in their conditions is the ultimate measure for Hivos’ work and efforts. The empowerment of women is an essential concern in all its programmes. Hivos supports more than 800 partners in 30 countries.
Hivos provides financial resources, knowledge and advice as well as political support to these local private organisations

Hivos in Timor Leste has been supporting civil society initiatives in Timor Leste since the late 1990s. At first, this was mostly done through Jakarta-based NGOs. After the Referendum for independence in 2000, Hivos started supporting local NGOs active on human rights, gender issues, microfinance and agriculture. From 2006, Hivos also extended support to its Alliance 2015 partner Concern, which has had an office and substantial programmes in Timor Leste since 2000. Hivos provided support to Concern’s response to the 2006 IDP crisis and from 2008 for a civil society strengthening program in two districts, Lautem and Manufahi. In 2008, Hivos appointed a local program support consultant, who has been operating out of Concern’s country office. Prior to Concern’s decision to withdraw from Timor Leste, Hivos decided to continue part of the work started by Concern, with a focus on young NGOs working outside the capital Dili. Thus the earlier investments in the strengthening of civil society organizations in the districts, with a focus on agriculture-based livelihoods, will be safeguarded and deepened. With the support from the European Commission, Hivos implemented a food security program in the three eastern districts of the country with 3 staff responsible to manage the program. Hivos has now been registered as an International NGO with the Government of Timor Leste.

Our Food Security Programme in Timor Leste is looking for:
CONSULTANT/TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR SUB SECTOR DEVELOPMENT/ MARKET ANALYSIS for Food Security Project  in Lautem, Viqueque and Baucau Districts, East Timor

Objectives of the Technical Assistance:
The objectives are mainly three fold. One is to strengthen the capacity of Hivos partners staffs in market development approach, second to review the cattle sub sector initiative supported by Concern Worldwide in Lautem District and develop updated strategy and the other is to conduct assessment of three potential sub-sectors, intervention identification, design and implementation of strategies in Lautem, Viqueque and Baucau Districts with full participation of the Hivos FS project partners staffs. The specific objectives of the TA are:

ü    Assist  Hivos partners staffs understand the basics of market
development /sub sector development/value chain approaches
ü    Review the Cattle sub sector/ value chain analysis and initiative of
Concern and draw learning from this project as basis to conduct a new sub sector/value chain analysis covering Lautem, Viqueque and Baucau Districts using participatory and interactive approaches.
ü    Develop follow up strategy and plan to continue the cattle sub sector
development in Lautem with great involvement of the government and private sectors linking the cattle producers to rural, national and export markets.
ü    Selection of the three potential sub-sectors (agriculture allied
products) of the District Lautem, Viqueque & Baucau with training component for Hivos partners staffs.
ü    Conduct the sub-sector/value chain analysis of the selected (three)
potential sub-sectors of the District Lautem, Viqueque & Baucau through mentoring and coaching Hivos partners staffs.
ü    Formulating a comprehensive strategy and plan for Hivos for the
development and implementation of the selected sub-sectors (allied products).
ü    Provide regular guidance to Hivos partners staffs for the effective
implementation of the strategies and plan.

Person Specification:
Essential:
A postgraduate qualification in Agri-Business, Economics, Marketing, or a similar graduate qualification with at least 10 years relevant experience.
Experience on Market research & Market data base development.
Significant experience on implementing sub sector/value chain, marketing and Income generation relating to food security.
Experience in local level planning processes, lobbying/advocacy, partnership development Working knowledge of livelihood concepts and frameworks, Sub Sector Development, Value Chain, Local Economic Development (LED), Business Environment, Business Development  Services (BDs), Excellent analytical, planning, training, mentoring and coaching skills and proven ability to transfer skills.
Excellent communication & report writing skills in English Flexibility Ability to Work Independently A reasonable level of fitness and can work in adverse situation.

Desirable:
Previous experience within the region, in Timor Leste or Indonesia Language skills in Bahasa Indonesia, Tetun or Portuguese Previous experience in an organization implementing sub sector/value chain.

Female applicants are encouraged to apply.
For more information you can contact Marrie-Ann Merza –Programme Manager in Timor Leste via email to mamerza@hivos.or.id  or send your application (both letter and CV need to be submitted in English) to hr@hivos.or.id or deliver to Human Resources at the Hivos Office at Progressio , Rua Cardoso Dias 17, Bairo Central Suco Central, Sub-District Nain Feto, District Dili not later than 15 April 2011 .

Due to the urgency of this position, applications will be short listed on a regular basis and we may offer this post before the closing date. Please note that only short listed applicants will be notified.