Job Opportunity from Austrian Development Agency: Field Advisor

Company: Austrian Development Agency

Location: Gyumri, Shirak Marz, Armenia

Duration: 12 months, with a possibility for extension

Start Date: 01 April 2022

Deadline: 13 March 2022, COB (Yerevan time) 

 

The Austrian Development Agency (ADA), the operational unit of the Austrian Development Cooperation (ADC), is looking for a Field Advisor (locally contracted, full-time, f/m) for the project “Local Empowerment of Actors for Development in Shirak province of Armenia (LEAD4Shirak). Under the direct supervision of the Rural Development Expert/ Deputy Team Leader, the incumbent will be responsible for the further organizational development of the Local Action Group (LAG) “Northern Way” following the EU LEADER/ CLLD principles. He/ she will also contribute to the grant scheme implementation as well as be responsible for the data collection, monitoring and reporting in regard to the implementation of the LAG’s Local Development Strategy. This position is based in the project office in Gyumri with frequent trips to Shirak marz (province) Northern communities.

 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

 

- Support the organizational development and functioning of LAG according to the partnership agreement signed between LAG members and rules of operations of the LAG “Northern Way”;

- Work closely with newly appointed LAG manager who will become gradually in charge of the LAG operations;

- Establish and implement a close and efficient work liaison with local actors, potential beneficiaries, marz administration, extension service providers and other local stakeholders;

- Support the implementation of the Local Development Strategies (LDS) of the LAG and monitoring progress of its implementation;

- Contribute to the assessment of the capacity needs of LAG members and support provision of the capacity development measures; - Set up and ensure effective cooperation within the LAG between local administrations, residents, non-profits, businesses, and other local stakeholders;

- Support the implementation of the grant scheme in the “Northern Way” LAG including contribution to information dissemination and on the spot visits of proposed and granted projects;

- Provide support to the project identification and development for the grant scheme applicants;

- Monitor grant implementation in the LAG area and recommend corrective measures as needed;

- Participate in the selection of grant applications from other LAG areas than the “Northern Way LAG”;

- Support in arranging study visits, organizing capacity development and other events for the potential LAG members and serve as resource persons in interacting with the beneficiaries;

- Monitor the project local environment and implementation progress and recommend adjustment measures as necessary; Ensure compliance with ADA’s Environmental, Gender and Social Impact Management (EGSIM) Manual;

- Regularly monitor the risks and implement identified risk mitigation measures;

- Draft regular activity and monitoring reports supporting the Rural Development expert in his reporting duties;

- Carry out any other duties as required by the Supervisor. 

 

 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

 

- University degree in Rural Development, Economics, Business, Finance or Public Administration, Development Studies, or other related field; post-graduate degree (master level or higher) is an asset;

- At least 3 years of progressively responsible experience in development programmes and projects preferably in rural development sector or in private business or non-profit sector. Successful experience with EU or ADC funded projects is considered an asset;

- Demonstrated understanding of LEADER/CLLD methodology and local development, including practical experiences;

- Understanding of project/ programme management cycle (including monitoring and evaluation);

- Understanding of international development cooperation principles and quality standards, including cross-cutting issues, is highly desirable;

- Knowledge on local socio-economic situation of Shirak marz is considered as an asset;

- Good leadership and facilitation skills; - Excellent interpersonal/ social and communication skills; - Good written and oral communication/ reporting skills in English language; knowledge of German language would be an advantage;

- Understanding of gender, diversity and environmental dimensions, ability to integrate the gender perspective into tasks and activity;

- Full proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, especially Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint applications;

- Ability and willingness to travel within Shirak and work flexible hours;

- Adherence to highest standards of ethics; - Valid driving license (category B) is an asset;

- Self-motivation, decisiveness and hands-on mentality;

- Ability to meet tight deadlines;

- Ability to work in multinational and multicultural environment. 

 

 

Application Procedure:

 

If you wish to apply for this position, please send your Motivation Letter and CV, as well as other relevant documents to: [email protected] with the subject line “LEAD4Shirak - Field Advisor”. ADA retains the discretion to re-advertise the vacancy, to cancel the recruitment, or to offer an appointment with a modified job description or for a different duration. Women are particularly encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence and no application fees or information with respect to bank account details are required by ADA for our recruitment process. Please note that in the event of an invitation for an interview, ADA is unable to reimburse costs incurred. Candidates must expect that references from previous employers will be requested by ADA. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. No phone calls please. 

 

 

REMUNERATION/ SALARY: ABOUT:

 

The minimum salary for this position depends on qualification and experience and is based on a full-time employment. Background and Introduction: The Austrian Development Agency (ADA) has been delegated by the European Union (EU) to implement a strategic project focusing on development of Local Empowerment of Actors for Development in Shirak province of Armenia (LEAD4Shirak). The overall objective of the action is to “to promote inclusive and sustainable growth and improved livelihoods of rural population in Shirak marz through support to community-driven local development initiatives and partnerships.” by focusing on the following specific objectives: Specific Objective 1: A sustainable mechanism for mobilizing local actors for development according to the EU LEADER approach is set up in Shirak marz. Specific Objective 2: The implementation of community needsbased projects according to the EU LEADER approach has been supported in Shirak marz.

 

The project envisages achievement of the following results: Output 1: The regulatory framework and delivery system for Community Led Local Development (CLLD)/LEADER are effective in Shirak marz. Output 2: At least two representative Local Action Groups (LAGs) have been established and are operational. Output 3: Local stakeholders in two LAGs have elaborated an inclusive, gender-sensitive and sustainable multi-annual community-driven Local Development Strategy (LDS) and an Implementation Plan (IP) that represents the needs, interests and potentials of the local population. Output 4: Local economic and social initiatives and innovations have been supported based on the priorities set up in the LDS and according to the grant and support scheme. Output 5: LAGs and local stakeholders have been involved in lively exchanges, capitalizing on the CLLD/LEADER approach and furthering its sustainable anchoring in the institutional fabric of Armenia. The project worth 4.5 mln. Euros has started in October 2020 with an overall duration of 48 months until September2024. To support the ADC Coordination Office for Technical Cooperation in Yerevan (CO) in ensuring a successful implementation of this project, ADA is recruiting an experienced Field Advisor for a maximum of 30 months, starting in April 2022