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
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life, leaving no one behind.
FAO is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger and improve food security and nutrition. FAO’s goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to lead active and healthy lives. With 195 Members (194 countries and the European Union), FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide. FAO Country Offices, operating under overall corporate guidance and in line with the FAO Strategic Framework, provide policy advice and technical support to countries in FAO’s mandated areas. They work through partnerships, resource mobilization and active country programmes to deliver technical assistance, strengthen national capacities and provide core services, while fully observing international standards of accountability and results-based management. The offices deliver on national programmatic priorities as articulated in their respective Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs), aligned to the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), and ensure effective and efficient operations with adequate human and financial resources.
In Papua New Guinea, FAO implements a portfolio of country-level Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP) projects that provide targeted, timely and demand-driven technical assistance to support national priorities in agriculture, food security, nutrition, livelihoods and sustainable agrifood systems. The TCP portfolio supports capacity development, evidence-based policy and programme formulation, stakeholder coordination, and the delivery of practical field-level interventions. TCP implementation is carried out under the overall leadership of the FAO Head of Office in Papua New Guinea and in close coordination with programme, operations and technical teams, ensuring strong project cycle management, alignment with national strategies and FAO corporate frameworks, effective partnerships, knowledge sharing and accountable use of resources.
Reporting Lines
Under the overall supervision of the Head of Office for FAO PNG, direct supervision of the National Project Specialist, with technical guidance of the Head of Programme and administrative guidance from the Head of Operations, in close collaboration with the relevant project personnel, and other FAO PNG team members, the incumbent will work with the Department of Agriculture & Livestock (DAL) and relevant government stakeholders, cooperatives, farmer groups to support the implementation of activities under TCP/PNG/4006 and TCP/PNG?4005.
Technical Focus
Strengthening agribusiness development and market systems for smallholder farmers, particularly within livestock, poultry, and apiculture value chains. The expert will support the development of inclusive and sustainable agribusiness models, strengthen value chain performance, and facilitate market linkages to improve income opportunities and food security for rural producers.
Tasks and responsibilities
• Provide technical expertise on agribusiness development, value chain strengthening, and market systems to support inclusive, sustainable, and nutrition-sensitive food systems.
• Provide technical support on agribusiness and market development for small livestock, poultry, and apiculture value chains to improve income and food security.
• Integrate gender-responsive agribusiness activities into District Development Plans and depot and nursery business plans.
• Develop practical cost-recovery and revenue-generation models to ensure financial sustainability beyond project closure.
• Support women to establish market linkages for eggs, meat, honey, and other livestock products.
• Promote collective marketing and bulk sales approaches to strengthen women’s market access and bargaining power.
• Deliver training on business skills, including bookkeeping, pricing, negotiation, and customer management.
• Establish and coordinate linkages with local and regional buyers, including support to sales and transport logistics.
• Monitor sales performance, farmer incomes, and market demand to improve depot operations and market strategies.
• Strengthen capacities of government counterparts and farmer organizations through technical guidance, training, and policy advice.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree) in Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Marketing, Rural Development, Business Administration, Economics, or a related field. A Bachelor’s degree in the above fields with additional years of relevant professional experience may be considered.
• Minimum of 5 years (with Master’s degree) or 10 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible experience in agribusiness development, value chain strengthening, or market systems programming.
• Working knowledge of English
• National of Papua New Guinea
FAO Core Competencies
• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
• Work experience in more than one location or area of work related to agribusiness development and agricultural value chain strengthening (e.g., livestock, poultry, or apiculture), including collaboration with government institutions, cooperatives, and smallholder farmer groups across different project locations or programme areas
• Extent and relevance of experience in developing and strengthening livestock, poultry, apiculture, or smallholder-based value chains
• Extent and relevance of experience in integrating gender-responsive approaches into agribusiness and market development initiatives, including women’s economic empowerment and improved market access
• Extent and relevance of experience in supporting agribusiness integration into local planning frameworks, such as District Development Plans, or similar decentralized development structures in Papua New Guinea.
• Extent and relevance of experience in delivering business skills training (bookkeeping, pricing, negotiation, financial literacy, customer relations).
• Familiarity with rural enterprise financing and cooperative governance models.
• Familiarity with and Knowledge of agricultural value chain development
• Strong understanding of inclusive and nutrition-sensitive food systems.
• Excellent stakeholder coordination and facilitation skills.
• Strong analytical and reporting skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
Selection Criteria
• Specialized training in value chain development and, market systems development, enterprise development, or gender-responsive programming is highly desirable
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
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