Associate Programme Advisor, Horticulture (LICA 9)

Result of Service

The goal of this job function is to support the effective implementation of all horticulture-related activities, providing technical expertise and guidance to project teams as required.

Work Location

Gaborone, Botswana

Expected duration

One year, with possible extension

Duties and Responsibilities

BACKGROUND: The Botswana Green Value Chain Development for Job Creation Programme is a four-year initiative funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by the International Trade Centre (ITC) in close collaboration with the Government of Botswana. The programme aims to diversify Botswana’s economy and generate decent employment by strengthening the competitiveness of the horticulture and ecotourism value chains. It responds to national priorities, particularly the government’s focus on job creation. Operating in Greater Gaborone, as well as in Western, Eastern, and Northern Botswana, the programme targets regions with strong potential for growth in both tourism and horticulture. It places a strong emphasis on inclusivity, with a particular focus on supporting women, youth, and rural communities. The programme will work with small, and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), farmers, and community-based tourism organisations, offering support through training, improved access to finance, and efforts to enhance the business and policy environment in these sectors. It also promotes sustainable business practices and digital market access, aligning with Botswana’s broader green growth and climate resilience goals. The programme is structured around three main objectives. First, it aims to enhance the capacities of SMEs in the selected value chains. This includes support in areas such as marketing, compliance with market access standards, ecotourism certification, sustainable resource management, circular economy practices, and financial access. Second, it seeks to strengthen the ecosystem of business support institutions that provide services to enterprises in these sectors. Third, it focuses on improving the overall business, policy, and regulatory environment, including support for regulatory reform and the implementation of key policy initiatives, such as green public procurement and climate-resilient development strategies. The ecotourism component of the programme supports the development of priority tourism locations, including urban tourism in Greater Gaborone. It promotes community-led tourism models, the integration of cultural and creative industries, and stronger linkages between tourism and local value chains. Meanwhile, the horticulture component aims to increase productivity and competitiveness through the adoption of eco-friendly technologies, improved irrigation and cold storage infrastructure, and better market integration. These efforts could help to reduce Botswana’s reliance on imported fruits and vegetables and to improve national food security. The programme directly addresses several of Botswana’s most pressing structural challenges. These include the country’s dependence on diamond mining, persistently high unemployment and inequality, food insecurity and import dependence, barriers to SME growth, climate vulnerability, and the limited integration between key economic sectors. To ensure effective delivery and coordination on the ground, ITC is currently seeking a qualified horticulture expert to support the implementation of the programme in Botswana. RESPONSIBILITIES: Under the direct supervision of the Programme Officer, Office for Africa, the overall guidance of the Chief, Office for Africa, and in close coordination with the National Coordinator , the Advisor will be responsible for the following duties: • Works with key clients to facilitate the development, implementation and evaluation of assigned programmes/projects, etc.; monitors and analyzes specific aspects of programme/project development and implementation; reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and recommends corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; identifies and tracks follow-up actions. • Carries out basic research on selected aspects of programmes, operations and other activities, etc., to include collecting, analyzing and presenting statistical data and other information gathered from diverse sources. • Liaises with Business Support Organizations (BSOs), producer organizations, and horticulture sector associations as key multipliers to extend the reach, effectiveness, and sustainability of project interventions. Engages these meso-level institutions in the delivery and scaling of technical and business support to farmers, SMEs, and communities, while strengthening their capacities and coordination, with the objective of building a durable support ecosystem capable of sustaining services, partnerships, and impact beyond the project’s lifetime. • Provides substantive support for policy coordination and evaluation functions, including the review and analysis of emerging issues and trends, participation in evaluations or research activities and studies. • Assists in performing consulting assignments, in collaboration with the client, by planning facilitating workshops, through other interactive sessions and assisting in developing the action plan the client will use to manage the change. • Participates in survey initiatives; assists with design of data collection tools; issues data collection tools, reviews, analyzes and interprets responses, identifies problems/issues and prepares preliminary conclusions. • Contributes to the preparation of various written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analytical notes, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc. • Provides administrative and substantive support to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., to include proposing agenda topics, identifying and proposed participants, preparation of background documents and presentations, handling logistics, etc. • Undertakes outreach activities; participates in the development of training workshops, seminars, etc.; participates in and makes presentations on assigned topics/activities. • Participates in field missions, including provision of substantive and administrative support, data collection, etc. • Coordinates activities related to budget funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and preparation of related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc.). • Assists in the identification, segmentation and engagement of horticulture value chain actors, including SMEs and community-based groups linked to eco-tourism demand, by coordinating assessments, facilitating consultations with relevant ministries and stakeholders, and supporting the validation of priority actors and clusters. • Assists in implementing capacity-building and value-addition activities for horticulture SMEs, by supporting training needs assessments, facilitating workshops and coaching on climate-smart practices, quality standards, certification and digital market access, and assisting in the development and follow-up of SME-level and cluster-level action plans. • Supports the establishment of strategic linkages between horticulture SMEs, eco-tourism operators and agri-tech solution providers, by facilitating dialogue and partnership building, supporting integration of market and price information tools, and contributing to monitoring, learning and reporting against results. • Ensures women and marginalized groups are meaningfully included and mainstreamed throughout the programme, strengthening equitable and sustainable outcomes. • Performs other duties as required. Copyright : The personnel has to ensure that s/he has obtained the necessary permissions with regard to intellectual property rights required to perform his/her services under this consultancy contract and for the subsequent dissemination by ITC in any form. Documentary proof is to be submitted to ITC. Should any license fee be due for the use of copyrighted materials of third parties, the Consultant shall request the prior written permission from ITC. S/he has further to ensure to obtain accreditation to event(s), if required.

Qualifications/special skills

EDUCATION: Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in crop science, agronomy, horticulture, plant science, agricultural science, sustainable cropping systems or a related field. Note: A first-level university degree in the areas mentioned in combination with two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. EXPERIENCE: A minimum of two years of experience in project/programme management, administration is required. Experience in horticulture crops, protected cultivation systems or related area. Experience in capacity building initiatives, preferably in the trade sector. Experience working with Batswana SMEs is required Experience in the implementation of international cooperation projects desirable. Experience in working with Market System Development (MSD) approach is desirable Experience working with farmers and supporting local communities is desirable. Experience in designing and/or delivering training programs for SMEs. Experience in delivering Training of Trainers is an asset/desirable. COMPETENCIES: • Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to particular sector, functional area or other specialized field. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to assist with data collection using various methods. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. • Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. • Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. • Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Languages

Fluency in English is required.

Additional Information

This vacancy is open for nationals of Botswana. This contract will be administered on behalf of ITC by UNOPS. Applicants must be authorized to work in the duty station where the position is located. Eligible applicants selected from outside the duty station are responsible for any expenses in connection with their relocation to the duty station.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.