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Short Term Consultant – Research Associate (two positions)

Chemonics international is executing a five year USAID funded Punjab Enabling Environment Project (PEEP). It requires the services of Research Associate (short term consultant) to work with Department of Agriculture (Punjab Government).

USAID - PEEP has been designed to support advocacy for policy and regulatory reforms and early implementation of the same in agriculture sector (horticulture, livestock and dairy subsectors) of Punjab. Through this project, USAID- PEEP would work in partnership with the Punjab’s public & private sector, civil society organizations and academia to create an environment that is more conducive to the growth of target sub-sectors.

1.      Background:

The provincial Department of Agriculture (DOA) is a line department, responsible for development of agriculture (including horticulture) sector through policy formulation, institutional support and service delivery in province. To strengthen the policy and strategy formulation function, USAID-PEEP and Department of Agriculture have agreed to set up a “Policy and Strategy Unit” (PSU) in the Department.

For the proposed PSU, PEEP intends to hire the services of a short term consultant who can work as “Research Associate”, to undertake various support and administrative activities of PSU.

2.      Objective and Purpose of the Consultancy:

The overall objective of this assignment is to serve the proposed PSU unit as a technical resource, under the direct supervision and guidance of technical experts of PSU and / or nominee of Secretary, to provide secretarial and administrative support to technical experts of PSU to increase their productivity and to save their valuable time.

3.      Principal Duties & Responsibilities:

  • To attend PSU office at designated office hours during the consultancy period.
  • To liaise with the nominee of Secretary of DOA on daily basis for work assignments given by DOA and updating him / her about the progress, as and when required.
  • To provide secretarial and day to day support to PSU unit necessary to ensure its successful operations.
  • To ensure timely, high quality completion of all relevant reporting requirements.
  • To exercise professional interpersonal skills to effectively work with all project staff, clients, and counterparts.
  • To ensure close collaboration and teamwork with all project technical activities.
  • To perform all other tasks as may be assigned in a manner that contributes to the achievement of the project’s work plan and objectives.

4.      Specific Tasks of the Consultant:

The associate shall use his / her education, experience, competencies, and skills to accomplish the following:

  • Coordinate with technical team on day to day basis and report on progress to supervisors / experts to ensure smooth planning and implementation of the consultancy work plan.
  • Provide technical support in report writing, documentation and filing, follow-up on activities, and decisions taken in meetings.  
  • Maintain liaison with other sections / wings of DOA and external stakeholders.
  • Provide administrative support to prepare communications, reports, charts, tables, presentations, work plan(s), budget(s) or any other documents in English and/or Urdu.
  • Schedule meetings and organize meetings for supervisors and other project technical staff.
  • Undertake necessary secondary and primary research to support the work of other technical experts.
  • Arrange and participate in meetings, conferences, and PSU’s activities, take and prepare minutes of those meetings.
  • Develop databases / excel sheets / presentations as per requirement.
  • Manage, organize, update and file data related to PSU’s work.
  • Print scanning, photocopying and other office routine work.
  • Perform all other relevant duties that may be assigned by the Supervisor and/or the Nominee of the Secretary of DOA

5.      Job Qualifications

  • Bachelors‘ degree in business administration, economics, social sciences or related field from a leading Pakistani or international university;
  • Minimum two (02) years’ experience working in private sector in similar positions; INGO experience will be advantageous;
  • Experience in and an understanding of the development sector;
  • Flexibility, creativity, and the ability to maintain a rapid and demanding pace of work;
  • Strong interpersonal, writing, and oral communication skills;
  • Detail oriented and ability to accurately document files;
  • Fluency in both written and oral English and Urdu required.
  • Good computer skills with ability to prepare and deliver PowerPoint presentations.

6.      Duty Station:

The duty station for this consultancy is Lahore. The consultant is supposed to attend PSU office daily during office hours.

7.      Reporting:

The consultant will report to Secretary Agriculture on their deliverables, and will be supervised by the Secretary or his designee for the day-to-day work. PEEP will pay the consultancy fee whereas Department of Agriculture will facilitate the consultant by providing office, stationery, furniture, IT equipment, and other support including conveyance, if required, for accomplishment of assigned tasks.

8.      Duration of the Assignment:

This assignment is planned to take place as per a start date of on or around April 20, 2015 and end date of on or around July 30, 2015 hereto for a total of 60 days LOE, extendable up to 120 days, based on satisfactory performance and deliverables, evaluated jointly by COP of PEEP and Secretary of  DOA.