Assistant Value Chain Specialist
Dhaka
- Organization: FAO - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
- Location: Dhaka
- Grade: Consultancy - Consultant - Contractors Agreement
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Occupational Groups:
- Administrative support
- Logistics
- Sustainable trade and development
- Transport and Distribution
- Closing Date: 2025-12-29
IMPORTANT NOTICE\: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device
- FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
- Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply
- Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
- FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination
- All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
- All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.
Organizational Setting
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Our goal is to achieve food security for all and make sure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives.
The FAO Representation on Bangladesh was established in 1978, and since then it supports country’s efforts in agriculture, food, forestry, fisheries, livestock, rural development, and climate change. Bangladesh, home to the world's most densely populated flood-plain delta, faces fast population growth, dwindling land resources, natural disasters and global climate change, as well as rising prices of food, fuel, and fertilizer. Despite these challenges, the country's farmers and fishers are remarkably resilient.
The Diversified Resilient Agriculture for Improved Food and Nutrition Security (RAINS) is financed by the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP) and implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture in Bangladesh under the supervision of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), with FAO providing technical assistance. The project contributes to the public investment priority of achieving food and nutrition security resilience of rural households to environmental and economic shocks. Its development objective is to build the sector’s resilience to shocks by supporting households in vulnerable climatic zones to improve nutrition status and increase income through diversified climate and nutrition sensitive production systems and improved off-farm opportunities along value chains.
The position is offered at salary level SC7.
Reporting Lines
Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Bangladesh and direct supervision of the Senior Technical Adviser (STA) and in coordination with the International Value Chain Specialist (VCS-I), the Assistant Value Chain Specialist (VCS-A) will provide technical guidance for either establishing new producer organizations (POs) or strengthening existing viable POs formed under the RAINS project.
Technical focus
The FAO TA team has adopted a 5-phase approach, with the following stages\:
0 stage\: Identification of POs by PMU and FAO
1 stage\: SWOT analysis through VC roundtables
Sub-step\: Analysis and initial plan
2 stage\: PMU and FAO use the analysis to go and help POs prioritize activities
Sub-step\: Preparation of Business Plan using RuralInvest
3 stage\: Operationalization – Agreeing with POs on what support would be provided
4 stage\: Provision of Training and equipment support
Stages 0 and 1 will be completed by January 2026, and VCS-A is expected to support activities from Stage 2 onwards.
Tasks and responsibilities
The incumbent will support the implementation of project activities including (but not limited) to the following\:
• Assist the STA and VCS-I in providing strategic, operational and technical advice to the RAINS Project Management Unit (PMU), district offices and upazila in the development and implementation of the project activities tailored to PO needs.
• Build on SWOT analyses from Stage 1 roundtables, with a focus on Opportunities and how to capitalize on them
• Support POs by helping to prioritize activities within respective value chains, building on the strengths of each.
• In cooperation with IFAD and PMU, review and implement findings of existing value chain analysis and intervention strategies for selected agricultural products to capitalize on opportunities and address identified weaknesses and threats.
• Develop a detailed plan for a participatory process for each of the value chains to address key policy, institutional, technology, efficacy of the chain, service provision and issues related to inclusion with relevant stakeholders
• Integrate digital solutions for marketing and support beneficiaries in improving digital literacy for participation in value chains
• Write activity reports and technical documents in English in line with FAO requirements
• Perform other related duties assigned by the STA for the smooth implementation of the project.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• Bachelor’s degree in economics, agriculture, agronomy studies, development studies, or related field.
• Minimum 7 years’ of experience in Value Chain and in other relevant areas, including minimum 3 years’ field experience
• Working knowledge of English (level C).
• National of Bangladesh.
FAO Core Competencies
• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
• Excellent understanding of the Value Chains (VCs) concept and experience in developing value chains in Bangladesh.
• Previous experience in working with the private sector in Bangladesh, specifically in agribusiness and rural development is an asset.
• Knowledge of marketing tools and techniques, and practice in designing marketing strategies for agriculture sector in Bangladesh.
• Experience in designing and delivering training for different types of audiences (e.g. government counterparts, implementation teams)
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
- Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
- Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http\://www.whed.net/
- For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website\: http\://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
- Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.
FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.
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
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http\://www.whed.net/.These qualifications should be in alignment with the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) mappings.
• 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
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• 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.
If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance\: https\://fao.service-now.com/csp
FAO IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT
Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.