Operations Officer/Supply Chain Specialist- Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic

Job #:	132695
Title:	Operations Officer/Supply Chain Specialist
Job Stream:	Technical Assistance & Advisory Services
Location:	Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic
Closing Date:	01/07/2014
Background / General description:
IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, is the largest global development institution focused exclusively on the private sector. Working with private enterprises in more than 100 countries, we use our capital, expertise, and influence to help eliminate extreme poverty and promote shared prosperity. In FY13, our investments climbed to an all-time high of nearly $25 billion, leveraging the power of the private sector to create jobs and tackle the world’s most pressing development challenges. For more information, see www.ifc.org. Agriculture plays a major role in national economy of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan where around 63% of the population are engaged in the agriculture. While the potential of the agricultural sector is big, it currently contributes only approximately 13.4% to 25.3% respectively to these countries GDP. Given that the major part of the population of these countries lives in rural areas and subsists on farming, development of effective and sustainable agricultural sector plays a significant role in food security for the aggregate 42.5 million people in these 3 countries. The aim of the CAAP Project is to improve (a) access to finance and (b) access to markets for producers in 2 to 4 agricultural supply chains/products in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.  The goal will be fulfilled through work in two main areas which will form two key components of the Project:  • To increase access to finance for farmers and other agri supply chain participants by improving the capacity of Fls.  • To improve the bankability of farmers and other participants of supply chains (aggregators) by improving their capacity and access to markets.  IFC has selected 3 agri-products (milk in KG, cotton and apricot in TJ) and will work with identified aggregators of these supply chains to:  i. Design solutions to address the gaps in the supply chains and create tighter relationships between farmers-producers and aggregators (processors, input suppliers and or traders);  ii. Increase the capacity of all participants of their supply chains through the introduction of new technologies, improved use of inputs and the creation of access to new markets (buyers of their products);  iii. Train the aggregators to deliver training/advice to their clients (farmers, cooperatives);  iv. Conduct outreach activities to promote the use of new agri technologies and inputs which will increase productivity and the bankability of farming activities. In order to implement the Project IFC has to recruit a Supply Chain Specialist specializing in Dairy who will provide consulting services to IFC’s clients. This TOR describes the scope of work expected from the staff. While implementing his duties the staff will report to the Project Manager and to the Regional Agribusiness Specialist.
Duties and Accountabilities:
• The Supply Chain Specialist/Dairy will be responsible for the development and implementation of a robust dairy supply chain program capable of delivering the agreed upon client service level and targets in a rapidly expanding but difficult market while ensuring the high development impact of this program and achieving financial project targets;  • The specialist will be responsible for mapping all of the needed stakeholders and for structuring shared value partnerships between the value chain stakeholders with the aim to create a sustainable system for serving agricultural producers with extension advice, access to inputs, access to finance and access to markets; • On-job training, coaching and advisory support to IFC’s clients, partners and beneficiaries on implementing the innovations and new approaches being recommended by the Project; • Develop training programs, educational materials and implement farmer outreach approaches which will enable the Project to create a system for sustainable development for a large number of producers; • Provide support to the access to finance (A2F) team on structuring supply chain financing solutions with the aim to improve banks’ capacity in providing financing to farmers; • Support the Project team on hiring, coaching, guiding and managing technical consultants and on the quality control of the consultants’ work and services being provide to IFC clients; • Identify and evaluate opportunities and recommend solutions that will create and drive overall supply chain competitive advantage improvement compared to internal and external benchmarks. Identify gaps between supply capabilities and customer requirements; • Provide support to the Project team on the design of an effective monitoring and evaluation system for the Project work and development impact on the dairy industry in the Project countries;  • Prepare reports, presentations and other materials needed for internal and external communications about the Project progress, achievements and results; • Work on other advisory projects in Europe and Central Asia region when required by management;  • Contribute to a positive and professional work environment.
Selection Criteria:
• Masters or equivalent of an agronomist; • Minimum 10 years of experience with specialization in dairy farming or dairy economics; working as a milk supply chain manager an asset; • Excellent working knowledge of written and spoken English with Russian as additional asset; • Excellent Analytical and Communication Skills; • Excellent Training Skills; • Self – starter , self-motivating professional able to deliver strong results with minimum supervision; • Computer skills- Windows office programs; • Ability to work effectively in a diverse teamwork environment;  • Ability and willingness to travel within the country, regionally and internationally when required. APPLY