Smallholder market development and aggregation Specialist

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Organizational Setting

The second phase of the European Union – funded project “Support Towards the Operationalization of the SADC Regional Agricultural Policy (STOSAR II), is being implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in partnership with the Southern African Development Community (SADC) through the Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (FANR) Directorate.

The project aims to contribute to a climate-relevant, productive, inclusive and sustainable transformation of agriculture and food systems in Sub-Saharan Africa and is comprised of four main components\:

• Agricultural Information Systems\: Enhancing information and knowledge on sustainable and competitive agri-production allowing evidence-based decision-making, providing standardized data for analysis and research, and facilitating intra-regional trade.

• Market Access\: Improving access to markets through the development and implementation of plant and animal pest and diseases strategies at regional and national levels, including enhanced capacities to address Sanitary and Phyto-Sanitary (SPS) requirements for international trade.

• Food & Nutrition\: Strengthening regional monitoring and implementation of the SADC Food and Nutrition Security Strategy.

• Inclusive Value Chains\: Increasing operational capacity of regional and national producer organizations and agro-industrial associations in selected value chains based on sustainable innovations and agro-ecological principles.

Smallholder aggregation models around the globe have the potential to contribute significantly to agricultural growth and productivity by facilitating improved access to credit, inputs, markets, and information. Aggregation models are by their nature, institutional arrangements by which small holder farmers disadvantaged by low economies of scales form formal and informal groups to jointly access different markets and services, collectively manage resources, and enhance their bargaining power. These arrangements can be bottom-up initiatives that emerge within the community of smallholder farmers or top-down, initiated by the government, private enterprises or a promoting organization.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the Sub-Regional Coordinator for Southern Africa, and under the guidance of the Director of the Food Agriculture and Natural Resources Directorate at SADC Secretariat, the Smallholder market development and aggregation Specialist will work under the direct supervision of the STOSAR Regional Project Coordinator and technical guidance of SFS Agri-Food Systems and Investment Policy Specialists and Investment Support Officer.

Technical Focus

STOSAR II seeks to support SADC in development of guidelines for smallholder farmer aggregation for application by members states in sustainable agrifood system development. This is aimed at enhancing sustainable agricultural production, productivity and competitiveness but also, improve regional and international trade and access to markets for agricultural products from smallholder farmers, improve private and public sector engagement and investment in the agricultural value-chains.

The Smallholder market development and aggregation Specialist will be responsible for developing guidelines/legislation/regulation for aggregation schemes for different aggregation models that include but not limited to Farmer Producer Organizations, Farmer Groups, Cooperatives, Agribusinesses ( MSMEs- private sector driven) while taking into consideration different types of agricultural produce ranging from staple crops ( grains, cereals) to fruits and vegetables, cash crops, and livestock that aggregation models play a role in facilitating trade and market access.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Familiarise self with SADC and FAO SFS agrifood system development and transformation policies, programmes, projects as well as approaches and processes including the SADC Regional Agricultural Policy (RAP), the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP 2020-2030), and SFS Programmes is agribusiness, Investment, markets and trade.

• Design consultation instruments and checklists and consult with various value chain players and stakeholders including the private sector (including SMEs, farmers, farmer organizations, apex sector / industrial associations and representatives on appropriate aggregation models- commodity aggregation for the regionally traded value chain commodities affected by TBP&D.

• Consult with key stakeholders including MoA, FAO, Farmer organisations and other stakeholders along agricultural value chains on the best possible configuration of commodity aggregation models, best practice and Lessons learnt to inform development of guidelines for smallholder farmer aggregation

• Analyze and examine the key success factors that influence smallholder participation in different aggregation models including 3A models, anchor borrower models, farmer company models, hub and spoke models and others, key policy and institutional barriers hindering the promotion, development and scale up of aggregation models.

• Document case studies based on different aggregation models that have been successfully operationalised to facilitate trade and market access in Africa.

• Develop the guidelines for smallholder farmer aggregation containing tools, approaches, instruments (guidelines and regulations) that will be used to govern different aggregation models and their integration into the SADC Regional Agricultural Policy (RAP) and the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan.

• As part of the annexes of the guidelines for smallholder farmer aggregation, develop rural agro-industrial aggregation models and Investment Plans for SADC drawing lessons from best practices of successful commodity aggregation undertaken in Africa.

• Present to SADC, FAO and other relevant stakeholders the guidelines for smallholder farmer aggregation for adoption and validation processes as guided by FAO technical team.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in agricultural economics, economics, agribusiness, agricultural science, food systems, rural finances or other related discipline. Consultants with bachelor`s degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience.

• At least 10 years relevant experience in one or more of the following areas\: agribusiness and market development, commodity/Industry associations and private sector engagement, trade and market facilitation.

• Working knowledge of English (Level C)

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus

• Teamwork

• Communication

• Building Effective Relationships

• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Demonstrable experience in agricultural commodity aggregation models, developing aggregation guidelines for smallholder farmer aggregation, developing and structuring rural agro-industrial aggregation models and Investment Plans is highly desirable.

• Demonstrable experience in data collection, cost-benefits analysis, financial business projections, heat mapping, calculation of mitigation and adaptation potential of technologies and practices, identification of policy and institutional barriers.

• Familiarity with the green agenda, climate change mitigation and adaptation and climate smart agriculture will be a major advantage.

• Experience in global and/or regional best practices and innovative approaches and international benchmarks (including Moroccan models for development and implementation of sector and VC development program, finance, including the NIRSAL model for de-risking and blended instruments for value chain financing) is highly desirable.

• Experience working with a UN agency, and/or experience in the private sector, working at different stages of the food value chain will be an added advantage.

• Working knowledge of French (level B) would be an added advantage.

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency

HOW TO APPLY

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
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• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

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