Local Initiatives for Biodiversity, Research and Development (LI-BIRD)
Position title: / Forest Enterprise Development and Private Sector Promotion Expert (FEDPSPE)Level / 9
Supervisors/Reports to: / Area Programme Manager, MSFP
Position description: / New: √
Revised :
Date published: 7 March 2015
JOB SUMMARY
Under the direct supervision of Area Programme Manager (APM), Forest Enterprise Development and Private Sector Promotion Expert (FEDPSPE) is primarily responsible for the planning and implementation of Outcome 2: Private sector (farmers, entrepreneurs and financial institutions) increase investment and jobs in the forestry sector. FEDPSPE will provide strategic input to Districts team and Local Implementing Partner Organizations (LIPOs) in implementation of livelihoods and forest based micro-enterprise related activities focusing flagship products of Cost Extension Programme. FEDPSPE will coordinate and develop operational plan and business plan through value chain enabling approach. Further s/he will generate employment and revenue at the local level and provide technical support to operate and scale up forest-based enterprises (3 flagship products). Likewise, FEDPSPE is also responsible to provide facilitation on linkage between variety of service providers including financial institutions, inclusive Value Chain Development Fund (VCDF) and market linkage to start and expand enterprises and business. Further, FEDPSPE is responsible for exploring and/or developing new concepts, innovations and ideas on private sectors participation and promotion of forestry jobs as well as preparation of case studies and documentation for wider dissemination. FEDPSPE will be stationed in one of the 3 District Coordination Offices.
The specific responsibilities will include the following:
Coordination
- Facilitate dialogue between private sector service providers, Non Timber Forest Products (NTFP) cultivators, farmers groups, local traders, Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs) and input suppliers to ensure necessary equipments such as seeds and other aspects such as skill trainings are available while establishing, promoting and expanding the production of flagship products;
- Provide strategic input and advisory for promotion of branding and marketing of flagship products;
- Provide strategic follow up support to Forest Based Enterprise (FBEs) established and nurtured in Dhaulagiri cluster;
- Coordinate to mobilize funding through Value Chain Development Fund (VCDF) and support in establishing VCDF as proven value chain model;
- Coordination among thematic specialists and support relevant outcome; and
- Maintain regular coordination with relevant stakeholders.
Field supervision and technical backstopping
- Lead project team in identification and selection of enterprise sites and target groups to establish enterprise for flagship products;
- Work closely with other thematic experts so that common issues such as Income Generating Activities (IGA) and enterprise provision in Operational Plan (OP) and constitution of Community Forest User Group (CFUG) are addressed while establishing of enterprises;
- Work closely with District Coordinators (DCs) and provide thematic input to LIPO staffs so that common understanding and consent have made to effective implementation of activities;
- Coordinate and sensitize to private sectors; whole seller, outlet owner, retailers and producers to extend wider market demand;
- Supervise monitor and provide counseling to forest based entrepreneurs as per finding problems and issues in their enterprises;
- Support field staffs to address flagship products related issues;
- Take lead and designing to conduct PMCA of flagship products so that market place have ensured; and
- Maintain relations coordination with private sector institutions for leveraging resources in enterprises development plans focusing on their corporate responsibility.
Capacity building
- Facilitate and coach district team and LIPOs to scale up good practices for creating jobs on forest based enterprises;
- Facilitate preparation and implementation of business plans of flagship products based on value chain development approach;
- Facilitate and provide business related training to staffs for enhancing their capacity in business coach and counseling; and
- Enhancing marketing skills of the value chain actors of flagship products.
Reporting
- Suggest compilation and analysis of thematic data for preparation of periodic reports; and
- Ensure thematic reporting is undertaken according to agree upon standards and in a timely manner
ADDITIONAL POSITION DESCRIPTION/REQUIREMENTS
FEDPSPE must have capacity and willingness to listen, learn and apply lessons learned with strong analytical skills by understanding the context. The FEDPSPE will face and address problems that are typically non-recurring.
Qualification/Experience
Minimum Masters Degree in related field, with minimum 5 years of work experience in private sector promotion and forest-based enterprise development in rural settings.
Required Skills and Competencies: The skills, abilities, experiences and knowledge outlined below provide a summary of what is required to carry out this job effectively. They also form the selection criteria for the right appointment:
· Strong conceptual, inter-personal, communication, negotiation, facilitation and representation skills;
· Demonstrated experience in forest based enterprise and private sector, planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting;
· Demonstrated skills in team building; and ability to coach and mentor staff and partners.
Competencies and Personal Specifications:
· Strong interest to work on issues related to forest enterprise development and private sector promotion.
· Experience of designing innovative and suitable forest based enterprise interventions.
· Understanding of value chain approach, product branding and marketing.
· Self-motivated with time and stress management skills.
· Fluency in both (written and oral) English and Nepali.
· Networking skills to effectively correspond with a diverse audience in different setting.
· Willing to travel extensively to the project implemented sites and able to accommodate and adjust in difficult working conditions and tough field situations.
· Ability to take responsibility, meet deadlines and make progress with minimum supervision.
· Excellent attention to details including proactive, creativity and reliability.
· Proficient in M.S. Office (Excel, Power Point and Word) and Knowledge of basic statistical concepts.
· Familiarity with donor compliance, rules and regulations will add value.
Incumbent’s Signature: Supervisor’s Signature:
Date: Date:
Job Description of FEDPSP ExpertPage 3 of 3