Team Leader – Agriculture & Food Safety

This position of Team Leader supports the Country Director in China to coordinate all the China projects and new project formulation. Also as Team Leader for the Smart Agriculture and Food Safety Project , the position will also be responsible for the overall management of the Asia Pacific Smart Agriculture and Food Safety Industrial Demonstration Park Project in Changchun, Jilin Province in China.

UNOPS is providing advisory services to the local government of Changchun for the development of a 10 square kilometres Asia-Pacific Agricultural & Food Safety Industrial Demonstration Zone (food safety project) in Changchun City.

This project aims to address the increasing concerns and demands for safe agricultural and food products by consumers and to upgrade the living quality of thousands of low-income families around Changchun area, yield positive impacts to local crop growing and bolster a more sustainable local economy.

 The demonstration zone will consist of 9 sub-parks (Organic Agriculture: Agriculture and Food Machinery and Equipment; Food-related Industry Corporation Headquarters: R&D and Incubators; e-Commerce and Logistics; International Exhibition/Conference Centre; Smart Business; Multi-functional residential area) plus 4 public supportive platforms from financing, talent training, servicing and innovation to incubating.

The objective of the project is to successfully develop a demonstration case on industry optimization and upgrading, with integrated international environment-friendly Organic Agriculture R&D, Safety Monitoring for the whole Food Production Value-chain, highly reliable Traceable Process and a Marketing Model. This success model could be used in the agriculture and food safety industry in other developing countries.

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Country Director, the responsibilities of the Team Leader are as follow:

Overall coordination in UNOPS China

• Support and Back up the Country Director in the overall programme management of UNOPS China

• Support the Country Director for the new business development 

Overall strategic planning and project management for the Food Safety Project:

• Lead the overall programme for food safety projects including business development, project identification, formulation and implementation

• Policy advise for both China Food and Drug  Administration and Ministry of Agriculture at both national and provincial level

• Lead the innovation for the one UN solution for Smart Agriculture and Food Safety with FAO, UNICEF, WFP and WHO

• Key Stakeholder management with government, associations, academies, private sector and NGOs.

• Overall Partnership Management and Development

• Strategic planning and formulation of industry positioning, setting specific goals and standards for output;

• Identify opportunities emerging from projects and partnership with key governments, research institutes and private sector;

• Formulate food safety projects with both public and private sector in the Food Safety Project as well as other UN Agencies

• Support the local government to develop enabling policies for the food safety project

• Build up and lead the mechanism for Public and Private Partnership for food safety project

• Build up and lead a platform for the cooperation of key stakeholders and project formulation.

Management of research team/work planning and risks

• Supervise the annual work plan and budget;

• Supervise the annual results reports

• Foster a positive environment of highest standards and values with the key work team in Changchun;

• Ensures team work results through effective communication, motivation and appropriate allocation of available resources;

• Ensures regular discussions on performance or any matter of concern and manages the recruitment of personnel and effective and efficient succession with the key project partners.

• Internal capacity building for the team in Beijing and in Changchun

Education:

• Master’s Degree in Agriculture, Food Safety, Business Administration, Project Management, or other relevant discipline;
• Bachelor’s Degree in combination with 2 additional years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of a Master's Degree;

Certifications:

PRINCE2 Foundation / PRINCE2 Practitioner /PMP Certification will be an asset.

Experience:

• Minimum 7 years of project management related experience in agriculture, food safety or other related industries, including at least 3 years in strategic planning is required; 
• Project management experience in either public or private sector organizations is required;
• Solid network in relevant industries, certification and academics agencies to support research and outreach;
• Management Consultancy background is a plus;
• Working experience outside China is an asset. 

Language:

• Fluency in written and spoken English and Chinese (Mandarin) is required

Functional Competencies

Knowledge Management and Learning – Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture. In-depth knowledge on public sector procurement solutions, systems and tools.

Ability to Analyse – Displays analysing abilities specific to procurement; is able to understand and assess complexities, takes reasoned approach and discusses them with other key players for a balanced view; is able to match the scope of the solution by optimal use of the organisation's resources, with attention to detail and ability to convert data to useful information.

Managerial and Teamwork – Strong interpersonal skills and ability to manage a team, establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural, multi ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity, including gender balance. Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals.

Communication – Proven ability to write in a clear and concise manner to communicate effectively with stakeholders. Ability to communicate technical concepts in a manner relevant to stakeholders.

Project Management, Planning and Organizing – Experience in project work; ability to allocate appropriate time and resources for completing the work and managing conflicting priorities. Identifies priority activities and assignments adjusting priorities where required. Foresees risk and allows for contingencies when planning tasks.

Creativity and Innovation – Promote new ideas. Is not afraid to explore new or non-traditional ideas and approaches.

Initiative and solution oriented – Finds ways to deliver targets/goals without constant support in the form of technology, processes or manpower.

Networking Skills – Naturally and easily builds rapport with others.

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns.
Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner.

Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices, always satisfying or surpassing our partners’ expectations.

With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, wherever they need it.

A flexible structure and global reach means that we can quickly respond to our partners' needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale.