Development Advisor Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation

Swiss Cooperation Office for the Mekong Region Laos Job Announcement The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA safeguards Switzerland’s interests in the area of foreign policy. Its agency - the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) - is represented in the Mekong Region by the Swiss Cooperation Office for the Mekong Region in Lao PDR, with a programme office in Myanmar. Its mandate is to supervise and develop the Swiss bilateral development programme in the Mekong Region. Position offered Development Adviser SDC Program Office in Yangon, Myanmar, 100% Main Duties / Responsibilities In the context of new regional cooperation activities in Myanmar complementing an existing program of humanitarian aid, SDC invites applications for the position of Development Adviser encompassing the following two main functions: a) Guiding and strengthening the Swiss position within LIFT (Livelihood and Food Security Trust Fund), with a view to improve the sustainable development orientation of the Fund, including the dimensions gender equality and market-oriented agricultural development; b) Thematic and conceptual support for, as well as coordination of the preparation of the development program of SDC in Myanmar. For function a) above the Development Adviser will report to the Regional Coordinator of humanitarian aid who represents Switzerland in the LIFT Board; For function b) the Adviser will report to the Regional Director of the Mekong Program based in Vientiane (Laos) who is responsible for designing the new Mekong Program strategy (of which Myanmar is part). This position will require frequent visits to projects in order to ensure that the support and advice is based on the experience of existing projects as well as on a solid assessment of the context and the reality of the country outside Yangon. Requirements · University degree or equivalent · Minimum 10 years experience in international cooperation · Excellent knowledge of development cooperation concepts and PCM tools · Experience in conducting and implementing development projects · Thematic expertise in the fields of food security, rural development, and gender equality as well as proven experience of fieldwork, particularly in East or South Asia · Experience in working in a difficult political context and in managing programs in a conflictive environment. · Excellent command of English. · Knowledge of one of the official languages of the Swiss Administration (especially French, German) is an asset. Contract Duration 2 years Duty Station Yangon with frequent travelling inside Myanmar and occasional travel in the Mekong region (Bangkok, Vientiane). Starting date as soon as possible Submission of Application: Please send your application (Cover letter, CV, References, Salary expectations) by email to: thomas.fisler@sdc.net Deadline for applications: 2nd March 2012 The detailed TOR of the position are posted on: http://www.swiss-cooperation.admin.ch/mekong/ under job openings Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.