The UNOPS Regional Office for Africa, based in Nairobi, Kenya, supports African governments, UN partners and donors by providing infrastructure, procurement and management services projects. In the Africa region, UNOPS focuses on helping countries build resilience, improve public service delivery and advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in fragile, conflict-affected contexts and growing rapidly.

The Multi-Country Office for Central Africa (CAMCO), based in Yaoundé, Cameroon, oversees operations in 11 Central African countries. CAMCO is responsible for the development, delivery, management and implementation of a portfolio of projects and programs spread across 11 countries — Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic (CAR), Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Republic of Congo and Rwanda — and includes 2 Small Island Developing States (SIDS) — Cape Verde, Sao Tome and Principe. This MCO manages a $600 million active project portfolio, with a strong focus on infrastructure, fund management, HR and procurement services. Over the years, it has established strong partnerships with international stakeholders,UN entities (including UN missions) and national governments in the region. The office provides technical assistance and capacity building in key development sectors such as rehabilitation and infrastructure construction in health, education, public works and governance. Its services also cover procurement, project management, policy consulting, peace and security, and environmental sustainability.public works and governance. Its services also cover procurement, project management, policy consulting, peace and security, and environmental sustainability.public works and governance. Its services also cover procurement, project management, policy consulting, peace and security, and environmental sustainability.

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is a United Nations operational entity that supports its partners in the implementation of peace, humanitarian and development projects. UNOPS provides project management, infrastructure and procurement services with a focus on efficiency, sustainability, quality, transparency and accountability.

Located in Kinshasa, DRC, the Projects Office covers four countries, under the multi-country office for Central Africa (CAMCO). Over the years, the office has developed strong working relationships with international partners, UN agencies, including UN missions, as well as Central African governments. It provides technical support and capacity building in strategic areas of development, including rehabilitation and infrastructure development in the health, education, public works, governance and public administration sectors; purchasing, project management and sector advisory services; peace and security; preservation and protection of the environment, among others.

Overview of the position

UNOPS requires an agricultural retainer(e)expert(e) to support the implementation of projects financed by the African Development Bank, the World Bank and other technical and financial partners. These projects may include activities related to agricultural production, food security, agricultural value chains, inputs, irrigation, storage, agri-food processing, agricultural extension and producer capacity building.

Specialized agricultural expertise is needed to ensure that activities under UNOPS’ mandate are technically sound, locally appropriate, sustainable and aligned with the needs of beneficiaries. The retainer will help project and purchasing teams translate agricultural objectives into clear, realistic technical requirements consistent with good practices.

Objectives associated with the position

Under the supervision of Country Manager CAMCO, l’expert(e)retainer in agriculture will provide remote technical support, upon request, to UNOPS CAMCO teams. He/she will provide advice on the design, implementation, purchasing planning, preparation of technical specifications, technical evaluation of offers and quality control of agricultural activities.

The retainer will be able to speak on topics such as crops, agricultural inputs, irrigation, agricultural equipment, post-harvest systems, storage, agro-processing, extension, climate-smart agriculture climate and agricultural value chains.

Functions and main expected results

1. Provide technical advice for the implementation of agricultural activities

The retainer will advise project teams on the technical feasibility of agricultural activities, implementation risks, sequencing of activities, beneficiary needs and sustainability measures. He/she will be able to review work plans, technical reports and approaches proposed by service providers.

2. Prepare and revise technical specifications and agricultural terms of reference

The retailer will prepare or revise technical specifications and terms of reference relating to goods, services or agricultural work. This may include seeds, fertilizers, agricultural tools, irrigation kits, storage equipment, processing equipment, training services, agricultural studies and extension services.

3. Support the purchasing cycle, technical evaluation and project development

The retailer will support purchasing planning, market analysis, preparation of technical evaluation criteria, responses to technical clarifications and review of offers. He/she may also contribute to the preparation of concept notes, project proposals, budgets and technical documents for donors.

Mandatory

Bachelor (or equivalent) in agronomy, agricultural sciences, crop production, agricultural economics, rural development, agroeconomics, irrigation, soil sciences, agro-processing with at least 7 years of professional experience relevant or

Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline in agronomy, agricultural sciences, crop production, agricultural economics, rural development, agroeconomics, irrigation, soil sciences, agro-processing with at least 5 years of professional experience in a related field is required.

Mandatory

Desired

5 years of experience in projects financed by international donors, multilateral banks or United Nations organizations is strongly desired.

5 years of experience working in Central Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo or in fragile and logistically complex contexts is an important asset.

Technical skills

• Good knowledge of agricultural production systems, agricultural value chains and rural livelihoods.
• Ability to analyze the agricultural needs of beneficiaries and propose solutions adapted to the local context.
• Mastery of the preparation of technical specifications for inputs, agricultural equipment, extension services, irrigation, storage and processing.
• Knowledge of good agricultural practices, climate-smart agriculture and sustainable management of natural resources.
• Ability to assess the quality, relevance and technical feasibility of agricultural offers, reports and deliverables.
• Experience in market analysis, supplier evaluation and identification of risks related to agricultural purchases.
• Ability to contribute to the design of projects, concept notes, logical frameworks, budgets and technical documents for donors.

• UNOPS does not accept unsolicited summaries.
• UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
• Applications to vacations must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the selection process, which may include various assessments.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of a wide range of nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. We strive to sustain and strengthen this diversity, foster an inclusive working environment where all personnel are treated with respect and have equal access to opportunities.
• UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to a fair and transparent selection process and welcome diverse perspectives, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and persons with disabilities.
• We are committed to enabling all candidates to perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require support or reasonable accommodation to complete any assessment, please inform our human resources team upon receiving your invitation.
• UNOPS has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment, and other forms of abusive conduct, including discrimination, abuse of authority, and harassment. To uphold these standards, background checks are conducted for all final candidates to help ensure that individuals with a history of such conduct are not hired. By applying for a position with UNOPS, candidates acknowledgment and consent to these verification processes.

Terms and Conditions

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to add a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
• For retailer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information we have a tenant contract here.
• For more details about the contract types, please click here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.