Tackling rural poverty, together

Platform actions against rural poverty in the next three years

Dear Reader,

After the thorough review of the Platform's effectiveness, efficiency and relevance, we consequently want to achieve within the coming years:

• an increase in the share of members’ ODA going to ARD;
• tangible progress in the implementation of the Paris Declaration and the Accra Action Agenda at country level;
• an increase in the use of programme-based and sector-wide approaches in ARD; and
• a rationalisation of ARD support by members in selected countries.

Address from the Chairs

Job opportunity with Platform secretariat

Duties

The Task Leader Agricultural and Rural Policy provides policy and strategic support to the Board, Steering Committee, member organisations and partners in the area of agricultural and rural development. In addition, the Task Leader provides quality control services on Platform documents as part of the implementation of the Platform´s work program 2009-2011. The Task Leader is responsible for facilitating the Platform’s engagement in various thematic ARD policy areas, supporting the Platform’s processes and outputs, as well as providing policy advice to its members on selected topics. The Task Leader will represent, communicate and advocate on behalf of the Platform (together with other members of the Secretariat as appropriate) as advised by the Steering Committee.

Specific responsibilities 

Under the guidance of the Platform Secretariat coordinator, specific responsibilities of the Task Leader include:

1 - Policy advice

• Organise Platform Knowledge Pieces, up-to-date policy briefs, discussion papers and advocacy notes for member organisations and the general public as set out under the Platform’s Work Plan and/or decisions rendered by its Steering Committee

• Provide thematic input and background information on ARD policy as requested

• Support the thematic and logistical organisation of Platform events, particularly the Annual General Assembly

• Accompany joint analytical work where required

2 - Quality assurance of documents drafted in or on behalf of the Platform

• Review the output (studies, articles, papers, briefs) of consultants and/or lead institutions contracted to undertake activities on behalf of the Platform and, when necessary, take on responsibility for drafting and re-drafting

• Provide backstopping services and technical expertise to all activities and products under twin activity pillars of the Platform

• Review terms of reference drafted by the Secretariat for recruitment of consultants for services contracted under the Platform

Requirements

• University degree in agricultural economics, rural development or related discipline

• Minimum seven years relevant experience in rural development, including positions of responsibility with international financing institutions or bilateral donors in the field

• Sound understanding of the basic principles of development economics and their relevance to agricultural policy and development

• Excellent written and spoken English and the ability to present information in a clear, concise and accessible style

• Ability to communicate effectively and authoritatively with professional staff in a diversity of organisations

• Ability to travel domestically and internationally

Desirable qualifications

• Experience working in aid effectiveness, new aid modalities and instruments, and/or donor coordination

• Competency in French and/or Spanish

Recruitment process

GTZ will carry out the recruitment process and contract the candidate as per its established procedures.

Length of assignment

May 2010 until 31 March 2012

Location of assignment

Bonn, Germany

Benefits offered

An attractive package will be available, applying GTZ contract terms and conditions.

Application

Platform Member organisations are encouraged to second personnel; cost can be borne by the Platform.

Please submit applications by 14 March 2010, including a cover letter and CV online at http://www.gtz.de/en/karriere/stellenmarkt/24996.asp

Easiest to find the vacancy is by using Job ID: 3758 

After submission, please check your spam/junk folder regularly for incoming messages, as emails from our e-recruiting system are treated as spam by some providers.

For additional information, please visit www.gtz.de

There is an urgent need to strengthen the output management of the Platform. This embraces all steps from planning activities, through implementation to monitoring and evaluation. In this, the roles of the Secretariat, Steering Committee, Board and members need to be clarified as well as mechanisms for quality control.

In the context of agreed outputs, a simple and unambiguous system should be put in place to guide the selection of activities that will be undertaken by the Platform.