AGRIBUSINESS SPECIALIST

The Regional Office for Africa leads FAO’s response to regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development. It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, identifies priority areas of action for the Organization in the region and, in collaboration with departments and divisions at Headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO's strategic response to regional priorities. In its programme delivery, RAF contributes to the achievements of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially the eradication of poverty, achieving zero hunger, good health and well-being. The Sub-Saharan African region continues to be afflicted by hunger and malnutrition. Critical factors contributing to sub-optimal food systems in the region are related to high levels of Post-Harvest Losses, weak investment in agribusiness and value chains, and food safety issues that hamper trade in food commodities. It is therefore vital that systems are in place to enable more inclusive and efficient agricultural and food systems at local, national and international levels. This would require reinforcing public sector capacity to work with the private sector and civil society organizations in order to develop sustainable agricultural value chains. Particular attention should be paid to strengthening farmers’ access to markets, finance and building their agribusiness skills. FAO’s support to improving the efficiency and inclusiveness of agricultural and food systems is reflected at the strategic objective (SO) level through the four SO-level indicators monitoring progress against SDG 2 (End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture). At policy level, FAO supports countries to develop strategies, policies and regulatory frameworks that sustain efficient and inclusive agricultural and food systems.

The consultant will report to the Senior Nutrition and Food Systems Officer, who is the focal person for Strategic Programme 4 (Enable Inclusive and Efficient Agricultural and Food Systems); under the overall supervision of the Assistant Director General (ADG) and Regional Programme Leader. He/she will work in consultation with other Technical Officers, the Partnerships and South-South Cooperation Division (DPS) Officer and RAF Partnerships Officers.

Technical Focus

Technical expertise and capacity development in the following areas\: (i) the design of investment operations along food systems and agricultural value chains, in collaboration with country stakeholders and cooperating partners, to mobilize resources for FAO-RAF; and (ii) the implementation support and evaluation of investment operations, in accordance with the FAO Strategic Framework.

• Plan components of multi-disciplinary teams, participates on Organization-wide, cross-Departmental committees, project teams, and working groups and/or provides specialized expertise on technical networks and/or international technical policy and standard setting bodies.
• Develop technical, analytical, monitoring and reporting frameworks, and related methodologies, tools, systems etc. to support the planning, implementation / delivery and monitoring of programmes of work, projects, products and/or services.
• Design and conduct research, data collection, validation, analysis and/or reporting activities to support the development of technical standards, international instruments, innovative approaches and strategies, new tools, technologies, technical reports/publications, and/or policy proposals as well as the provision of technical/policy/ specialist/advice and expertise.
• Respond to country requests for technical and policy assistance, provides technical advice, assistance and solutions to Decentralized Offices and provides technical backstopping to field projects.
• Collaborate in, provide technical backstopping to and ensures the quality / effectiveness of capacity development and knowledge sharing activities within member countries such as policy support, organizational development and individual learning events including preparation of related information, learning materials, on-line tools.
• Promote international cooperation / advocates for best practices, increased policy dialogue and provides technical expertise at international / intergovernmental meetings.
• Participate in resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Corporate Strategy.
• Perform other duties as may be assigned from time to time.
• Perform any other task related to the reporting or implementation of the FAO Policy on Gender Equality.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in agriculture, agro-industry, business administration, economics, agricultural economics or a closely related field / University degree only for PSA.
• Seven years of relevant experience in the practical application of value chain analysis and development, agribusiness and market development, processing, including experience in the formulation and/or implementation of agricultural investment operations in developing countries
• Working knowledge of English, French or Spanish and limited knowledge of one of the other two or Arabic, Chinese, Russian / Working knowledge of English only required for PSA.

• 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, particularly in field positions
• Extent and relevance of experience in one or more of the following areas using a variety of research tools (e.g. surveys, case studies and focus groups\: agricultural marketing, value chain development, and analysis of agricultural investment Extent of experience in developing regions working with both private agri-business and public sector actors
• Extent and relevance of experience in project formulation and technical backstopping and leading multidisciplinary teams for technical implementation