Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)
Tasks
Agricultural Support Programme (ASP; 50%)
In close collaboration with the Programme Leader of the ASP, your main tasks as Thematic Advisor are:
- consolidation and mainstreaming of promising agricultural practices which have been tested in the SDC project areas. You will contribute to the solving of technical and economic issues within the existing framework and farming system of the DPRK.
- support the consolidation and mainstreaming of a sloping-land-management project in order to improve food security and income of the user groups.
- support capacity building at different levels of the administration, especially in areas for enhancing food security through the introduction of Geographical Information Technology (GIT), technologies for agriculture and natural resource management, and through training in order to improve the extension services.
Specific tasks include contributing to the selection and contracting of consultants, following the political framework concerning agricultural development, supporting the elaboration of yearly plans of operations, supporting the guidance of local staff, and supporting programme implementation.
Capacity Development Programme (CDP; 40%)
You will be contributing to the strengthening of the DPRK’s ability to manage change and to integrate the country into the global community with the goal to improving the professional expertise and knowledge of individuals and institutions.
You will manage a variety of activities under the Capacity Development Programme, the second pillar of SDC’s involvement in North Korea. Duties include the yearly planning and budgeting, financial management and reporting of activities, etc. In these tasks, one national staff member will assist you.
In coordination with other SDC team members, you will organize study tours, long and short-term training courses in a variety of sectors such as the training for diplomats and government officials in international relations, training related to the ASP, and training at the Pyongyang Business School which consists of 12 monthly thematic seminars lasting 3 to 4 days for approx. 30 participating Korean professionals.
The CDP also includes grant management, i.e. to UNFPA, UNICEF, etc.
Managing the possible continuation of an involvement in the energy sector as well as other special projects will also fall under the responsibility of the thematic advisor.
Special tasks (10%):
- regularly update the security plan of the Swiss Cooperation Office (SCO) in collaboration with UN-resident organisations/embassies. The staff member will support the management of the compound and car fleet together with the relevant National Project Officers.
- From time to time, the positions requires taking up the role as acting Country Director.
- Overall, you will work within the SCO team and also in close collaboration with short-term consultants in the different areas of work.
By fall 2010, the Thematic Advisor could take over the function as Program Leader of the ASP if mutually agreed.
Profile
You have a university degree in Agriculture or related field and are specialized in at least one of the following disciplines: agro-economy, agricultural production, and/or agro-training and consulting. You are a mature person with solid experience in rural extension work and capacity development with preferably several years of service in a transition-economy country and in development cooperation. You have a proven track record of finding innovative solutions and of thinking in a broad, long-term perspective, and have the ability to work under pressure. You are ready to work in a particular socio-political context, have excellent communication skills, are people-oriented, and like to work in an interdisciplinary team. You have good analytical skills and are familiar with project implementation and Project Cycle Management. You are fluent in both oral and written English (working language) and are proficient in two official languages.
For any complement of information you may require, please contact Mr. Andreas Gerrits (Tel.: 031 325 91 63, e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).
Special remarks:
- This is a full-time (100%) position.
- The contract is of a duration limited to 2 years.
- Prior to a definitive decision, a two-week mission can be conducted in the host country.
- The position is not suitable for candidates with school-aged children.
Starting date: June 1, 2009, or as mutually agreed
Job location: Pyongyang / DPRK
Please fill out the biographical questionnaire – downloaded from www.deza.admin.ch/stellenboerse and send it together with your complete application documents by e-mail to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by post in an envelope marked "Personal / Confidential” to: Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, Personnel Department, attn. Ms. Corinne Pürro, Ref. PUI 420, Freiburgstrasse 130, 3003 Bern.
Application deadline: April 27, 2009
Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation - SDC
Contact | Legal matters | Publication Details
http://www.bk.admin.ch/cdbund
Attached resources
[.pdf] SDC_JOB ADVERTISMENT_Agronomy
Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)
Tasks
Agricultural Support Programme (ASP; 50%)
In close collaboration with the Programme Leader of the ASP, your main tasks as Thematic Advisor are:
- consolidation and mainstreaming of promising agricultural practices which have been tested in the SDC project areas. You will contribute to the solving of technical and economic issues within the existing framework and farming system of the DPRK.
- support the consolidation and mainstreaming of a sloping-land-management project in order to improve food security and income of the user groups.
- support capacity building at different levels of the administration, especially in areas for enhancing food security through the introduction of Geographical Information Technology (GIT), technologies for agriculture and natural resource management, and through training in order to improve the extension services.
Specific tasks include contributing to the selection and contracting of consultants, following the political framework concerning agricultural development, supporting the elaboration of yearly plans of operations, supporting the guidance of local staff, and supporting programme implementation.
Capacity Development Programme (CDP; 40%)
You will be contributing to the strengthening of the DPRK’s ability to manage change and to integrate the country into the global community with the goal to improving the professional expertise and knowledge of individuals and institutions.
You will manage a variety of activities under the Capacity Development Programme, the second pillar of SDC’s involvement in North Korea. Duties include the yearly planning and budgeting, financial management and reporting of activities, etc. In these tasks, one national staff member will assist you.
In coordination with other SDC team members, you will organize study tours, long and short-term training courses in a variety of sectors such as the training for diplomats and government officials in international relations, training related to the ASP, and training at the Pyongyang Business School which consists of 12 monthly thematic seminars lasting 3 to 4 days for approx. 30 participating Korean professionals.
The CDP also includes grant management, i.e. to UNFPA, UNICEF, etc.
Managing the possible continuation of an involvement in the energy sector as well as other special projects will also fall under the responsibility of the thematic advisor.
Special tasks (10%):
- regularly update the security plan of the Swiss Cooperation Office (SCO) in collaboration with UN-resident organisations/embassies. The staff member will support the management of the compound and car fleet together with the relevant National Project Officers.
- From time to time, the positions requires taking up the role as acting Country Director.
- Overall, you will work within the SCO team and also in close collaboration with short-term consultants in the different areas of work.
By fall 2010, the Thematic Advisor could take over the function as Program Leader of the ASP if mutually agreed.
Profile
You have a university degree in Agriculture or related field and are specialized in at least one of the following disciplines: agro-economy, agricultural production, and/or agro-training and consulting. You are a mature person with solid experience in rural extension work and capacity development with preferably several years of service in a transition-economy country and in development cooperation. You have a proven track record of finding innovative solutions and of thinking in a broad, long-term perspective, and have the ability to work under pressure. You are ready to work in a particular socio-political context, have excellent communication skills, are people-oriented, and like to work in an interdisciplinary team. You have good analytical skills and are familiar with project implementation and Project Cycle Management. You are fluent in both oral and written English (working language) and are proficient in two official languages.
For any complement of information you may require, please contact Mr. Andreas Gerrits (Tel.: 031 325 91 63, e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).
Special remarks:
- This is a full-time (100%) position.
- The contract is of a duration limited to 2 years.
- Prior to a definitive decision, a two-week mission can be conducted in the host country.
- The position is not suitable for candidates with school-aged children.
Starting date: June 1, 2009, or as mutually agreed
Job location: Pyongyang / DPRK
Please fill out the biographical questionnaire – downloaded from www.deza.admin.ch/stellenboerse and send it together with your complete application documents by e-mail to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by post in an envelope marked "Personal / Confidential” to: Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, Personnel Department, attn. Ms. Corinne Pürro, Ref. PUI 420, Freiburgstrasse 130, 3003 Bern.
Application deadline: April 27, 2009
Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation - SDC
Contact | Legal matters | Publication Details
http://www.bk.admin.ch/cdbund
Attached resources
[.pdf] SDC_JOB ADVERTISMENT_Agronomy