Header

Rice Seed Design Specialist - Consultancy Lao Uplands Food Security Improvement Project (LUFSIP)

Lao Uplands Food Security Improvement Project (LUFSIP)

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

Rice Seed Design Specialist
Vientiane Lao PDR

The Ministry of Agriculture (MAF) is implementing a number of projects in Laos aiming to: (1) develop institutional rice seed based system, (2) the organization of a more efficient system to deliver high quality seed to the agricultural community, (3) support improved rice production technologies and (4) develop the capacity of farmers to become commercial contract growers of rice seed.

The World Bank/EU funded LUFSIP is equipping seed research and multiplication centers throughout the country. The Rice Productivity Improvement Project (RPIP) is working in four provinces to upgrade government centers which are directly involved with off-station paddy and seed production.

These two projects are developing new systems aimed at increasing the demand and supply of high quality seed. RPIP will carry better technologies to the farmers, while LUFSIP will equip government seed stations so they can grade successive generations of seed, which in turn will be used by the rice millers to insure their contract farmers have higher yields and quality paddy for sale.

The MAF is planning to employ a Rice Seed Design Specialist who can provide guidance in the development of a “National Seed Board” which will in turn oversee the development of a national database on the supply and demand of rice seed in Laos. Previous work under LUFSIP has identified modalities that can be put in place to develop a national plan within five (5) years. In addition, there is a need for a concurrent plan to insure that minimum quality standards are developed and MAF staff are trained in implementing the program.

Rice Seed Design Specialist

Main Duties and Responsibilities
• Conduct a survey of all MAF research centers and seed production facilities in Lao PDR.
• Make an assessment of the current equipment and facilities, and recommendations for upgrading them.
• Assist in the development of a national seed supply database.
• Assist MAF in the formation of a “National Seed Board” which would meet every trimester to monitor and guide the development of a national seed supply.
• Work with the National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute (NAFRI) in developing technical specifications and assist procurement teams of LUFSIP and RPIP in the preparation of bidding documents for the purchase of needed equipment, buildings, and agricultural inputs.
• Evaluate the technical capacity of the MAF employees responsible for seed production and develop a training schedule to insure uniform capabilities across all MAF locations
• Provide guidance in the development of national quality control standards for all seed produced or imported into Lao PDR

Qualifications Required
• Master’s degree in Agriculture, Forestry, Rural Development or other relevant field
• More than ten (10) years of significant experience in seed production, seed conditioning, and management of either private companies or public sector seed programs,
• Experience in Lao PDR desirable; and work experience in Cambodia or Thailand or Vietnam would be an asset.
• Computer literacy and budget development are absolutely necessary,
• Ability to spend significant time outside Vientiane visiting government seed centers, contract farmers, and private sector firms developing commercial interests in producing rice seed.
• Excellent report writing skills in English

Assignment Duration: This is a full-time position for up to six months; start of the assignment as soon as possible but not later than December 2011.

Duty Station: Vientiane, Lao PDR with frequent travel to the provinces.

Terms of Reference: Interested individual consultants may obtain further information including more detailed Terms of Reference by sending a request to Mr. Kamthanh Khamdeng (Ktanh04@yahoo.com ) or Mr. Paul Banthalongsack ( paul_souvannakhily@yahoo.com ).

Submission of applications: Expressions of interest, including an up-to-date CV, can be sent by e-mail or must be delivered to the address below no later than 5 November 2011.

National Coordination Office
Lao Uplands Food Security Improvement Project
Department of Planning
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
Patuxay, Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR
Tel: + 856 21 263 457
E-mail: Ktanh04@yahoo.com