Background
On 28 March 2025, a powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar, causing significant human and material losses across Mandalay and surrounding areas. The disaster further exacerbated existing humanitarian and development vulnerabilities, particularly in communities already affected by conflict, displacement, and poor access to essential services.
In response, UNDP launched the Earthquake Response โ Community Led Recovery and Reconstruction Project to support inclusive and resilient recovery through early restoration of livelihoods, infrastructure, and essential services, with an emphasis on community leadership and local economic revitalization.
The project focuses on two key outputs:
1.ย ย ย ย Restoration of essential community services and inclusive infrastructure, with strengthened local disaster risk reduction ย capacity
2.ย ย ย ย Livelihoods and economic opportunities restored through Inclusive, disaster- and gender-responsive recovery support.
Under the overall supervision of the Project Manager, the Livelihoods Officer will provide technical support to the design, coordination, and implementation of livelihood recovery initiatives under the Earthquake Response project. This includes support to community-based agriculture, livestock, fisheries, and small business activities, as well as the development of value chains and local market linkages. The Officer will work closely with implementing partners, local authorities, and UNDP field teams to ensure timely, inclusive, and sustainable delivery of livelihood support.ย
Role as Livelihoods Officer would broadly focus on Agriculture, Livestock, Poultry, fisheries and Value Chain related technical capacities. ย The scope would be diverse and influential in supporting the agricultural sector's growth while ensuring sustainable and responsible practices. Involvement in overseeing and managing various aspects of agricultural, livestock, poultry, fisheries production, as well as optimizing the value chain to ensure efficient and profitable business.ย Fostering sustainable agricultural practices, ensuring food security, and promoting the economic development of rural communities. Multidisciplinary approach, strong communication skills, and a deep understanding of the agricultural sector, rural livelihoods in Myanmar and its interdependencies.Duties and Responsibilities
The Livelihoods Officer will report to the Project Manager โ Earthquake Response Project. The Livelihoods Officer will collaborate closely with area-based field teams, engineers, implementing partners, local government stakeholders, and other UN agencies involved in recovery. The position requires regular field travel to affected communities.
Provide support to Livelihoods Recovery, including through re-housing and debris removal/management programme
Provide technical guidance on the design and implementation of livelihoods recovery interventions, including agriculture, livestock, poultry, aquaculture, and rural enterprises. ย Work jointly with the technical teams to manage ro-housing and debris management interventions. Ensure integration of disaster risk reduction (DRR), gender equality, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability principles into all livelihood activities.Ensure Value Chain Optimization and Market Systems Development
Analyze and strengthen agricultural and livestock value chains, identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce losses, and enhance profitability from production to market. Support communities in processing, managing, and marketing both on- and off-farm products. Facilitate engagement with market actors including farmers, processors, buyers, distributors, and retailers to ensure smooth coordination across the chain.Conduct Market Research, Innovation, and Technology Adoption
Conduct market assessments to identify trends, demands, and opportunities within the local economy. Promote adoption of appropriate innovations and technologies, including renewable energy, efficient water use, and climate-resilient agricultural practices.Ensure Project Coordination, Stakeholder Engagement, and Partnerships
Liaise with community groups, implementing partners, local stakeholders, etc to ensure coordinated and coherent livelihoods interventions. Actively participate in the project in technical and coordination meetings, and facilitate joint planning and review sessions with local actors. Promote trust-building and inclusive dialogue among stakeholders to strengthen community ownership and conflict-sensitive implementation.Ensure Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting
Support regular monitoring of field activities and progress against targets, including data collection and analysis related to livelihoods outcomes. Contribute to periodic reporting, including drafting of progress updates, case studies, and inputs for donor reports. Maintain organized records of beneficiaries, activities, results, and lessons learned.Facilitate ย Knowledge Management and Learning
Contribute to knowledge generation by identifying lessons learned, innovative practices, and community feedback. ย Support the development of briefs, technical notes, and knowledge products related to livelihoods recovery in the post-earthquake context. Facilitate knowledge sharing within the project team and with partners through workshops, training, and learning events.The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.ย
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Competencies
Core competencies:
Achieve Results: Level 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline Think Innovatively: Level 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvementsย Learn Continuously: Level 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback Adapt with Agility: Level 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexibleย Act with Determination: Level 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident Engage and Partner: Level 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships Enable Diversity and Inclusion: Level 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discriminationCross-Functional & Technical competencies:
Business Developmentย ย ย ย
Business Direction & Strategyย ย ย ย
System Thinking: Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system Strategic Thinking: Develop effective strategies and prioritised plans in line with UNDPโs mission and objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, opportunities and potential risks; link the general vision to reality on the ground to create tangible targeted solutions; learn from a variety of sources to anticipate and effectively respond to both current and future trends; demonstrate foresight.Digital & Innovationย ย ย ย
Innovation capacity building: Ability to define and create the conditions for trying out new ways of working or introducing new problem solving approaches to an organisation; Ability to develop, manage and evaluate a learning curriculum that raises awareness, builds confidence, strengthens innovation capabilities around a certain method, tool or technique; or helps develop an innovation mindset; Ability to create the authorising environment (mandate, incentives) to embed and spread new ways of working; In-depth knowledge of one or more innovation methods, broad knowledge of innovation processes and innovation management; Ability to align a learning and development strategy with broader innovation strategy.ยBusiness Managementย
Risk Management. Identify and organize action around reducing, mitigating and proactively managing risks2030 Agenda: Prosperityย ย ย ย
Recovery Solutions and Human Mobility. Digital innovations in adapting employment, livelihoods (incl. cash handouts) and provision of basic servicesRequired Skills and Experience
Education:
Advanced University Degree (master's degree or equivalent) in ย Agricultural Economics, Development Economics, Agriculture, Veterinary Science, Food Security or other relevant discipline or Social Sciences, or other relevant field of study is required. Orย A first-level university degree (bachelorโs degree) in the areas stated above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.Experience:
Applicants with Masterโs degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field of study are not required to have professional ย work experience. Applicants with a Bachelorโs degree (or equivalent) are required to have a minimum of two ย (2) years of relevant professional experience at the national or international level with significant experience in support to livelihoods in Myanmar with specific experience and/or advanced understanding of at least three of the following: Poverty and vulnerability across Myanmar.ย Experience in mobilizing and engaging with vulnerable communitiesย ย Experience of running and monitoring cash transfer programmes Experience in designing and implementing market assessments and analysis of data collected Capacity building of national staff and partners with a willingness to adopt a participatory and community-led development approach. Experience of working in complex projects and ability to deliver in strict timelines with good quality Experience of working in multinational teams to implement programs involving different implementing partners.ย Familiarity and a good understanding of community-based development work, previous experience in the implementation of livelihoods, cash for work is preferable. Working experiences in UNDP field offices will be an advantage.ย Good command of office information technology and software suites (Microsoft Office) is an asset. Experience in ensuring quality assurance of projects is an asset.Required languages:
Fluency in English is required. Fluency in Burmese and any other local dialect language is required.ยEqual opportunity
As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.ย
UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.
Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority
UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.ย
Right to select multiple candidates
UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.ย We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
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