Specialist Economic Sustainability Global Value Chains

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FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender and nationality

People with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply

All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality

The incumbent may be re-assigned to different activities and/or duty stations depending on the evolving needs of the Organization

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Organizational Setting

The Trade and Markets Division (EST) monitors and analyses trends in international, regional and national agricultural commodity markets, collecting and disseminating comprehensive market and policy information concerning the major traded commodities and those important to food security. It also undertakes forward-looking outlook studies. The Division analyses issues that affect global food and agricultural trade, including policy analysis of trade measures and agreements, and provides technical support and capacity building to members in all these areas. Through its Global Information and Early Warning Service, the Division is also responsible for FAO's early warnings on food shortfalls. The Division houses the secretariats of the Committee on Commodity Problems (CCP), the Intergovernmental Commodity Groups (IGGs) and the Agricultural Market Information System (AMIS).

The Team on Responsible Global Value Chains in EST facilitates the World Banana Forum (WBF), a permanent space of assembly for participants representing the global banana supply-chain to promote collaboration on challenges facing the banana industry. The Working Group 2 of the WBF on Distribution of Value (WG02) works towards a fair distribution of value along global banana supply chains. The price competition between large retailers in developed countries has forced the industry to reduce the price of bananas to levels that are increasingly seen as unsustainable. This is largely due to the fact that while prices are decreasing at the consumer end of the supply chain, the costs of production, maintenance and transportation in producing countries have increased significantly. Lowering prices has created economic challenges for millions of families in developing countries that depend on banana trade for their livelihood, as this can prevent adequate social development and reinforce poor working conditions for banana workers. In order to address these concerns, members of WG02 came together to create the Subgroup on Covering Costs of Sustainable Production (SG-CCSP), which aims to study the distribution of value and enable pre-competitive collaboration between all actors along the global banana supply chain.

Reporting Lines

The Consultant/PSA will report directly to the Secretary of the WBF.

Technical Focus

Specific areas of technical support include: multi-stakeholder working group facilitation; global trade; social and economic statistics; sustainable costs of production; living incomes/wages; due diligence; responsible business conduct; quantitative and qualitative research; analysis and policy advice.

Tasks and responsibilities

The generic functions for the profile include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Facilitate and manage the operations of the World Banana Forum’s Working Group 02 on Distribution of Value, including the implementation of its work plan, projects, activities, as well as their reporting;
• Liaise with WG02 and SG-CCSP members for the organization of meetings, preparation of documents, provision of advice, support and follow-up to their decisions, and act as focal point for stakeholder’s seeking information related to WG02 activities and membership;
• Support the coordination of project implementation and technical backstopping to capacity development activities within member countries, as regards WG02 activities;
• Lead the technical work, research and analysis on policies and trends related to economic sustainability issues in the banana industry, with a particular focus on the WBF priority areas of due diligence, responsible business conduct, corporate responsibility, costs of production and living wages/income;
• Support the liaison with FAO departments and decentralized offices, governmental institutions and other agencies/organizations in coordination with the WBF Secretary to establish relevant collaboration mechanisms that support the implementation of WBF activities, particularly related to WG02 priorities;
• Support the development and preparation of reports and papers on topics related to the WBF mandate, including background documents, summaries of decisions and minutes of meetings for the WBF Global Conferences, Steering Committee (SC), Advisory Board (AB), Working Group 02 on Distribution of Value (WG02) and Subgroup on Covering the Costs of Sustainable Production (SG-CCSP);
• Support activities to increase WBF membership and facilitate partnerships, as well as to promote and coordinate the dissemination of information and results achieved by the WBF;
• Support the implementation of the WBF’s Action Plan and decisions of the Steering Committee (SC) and Advisory Board;
• Carry out any other organizational and technical work as required by the WBF.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in a related field. Preferably, the degree should be in a relevant field or discipline such as Social and Economic Sciences (Economics, Business Administration, International Law and Development, Social Protection, International business, Public Policy focusing on Sustainable Development, Partnerships, Network Facilitation, Knowledge Management, Platform Management) or similar;
• At least three years of experience in platform/project/working group facilitation
• Working knowledge of English and Spanish

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Knowledge of the fruit sector and FAO’s working environment is a plus
• Experience in facilitating international networks or partnerships
• Excellent time management and problem-solving skills
• Experience in working on responsible business conduct, corporate social responsibility or ethical trading
• Familiarity with providing remote support and liaising virtually with stakeholders
• Superior attention to detail
• Good communication and interpersonal skills and ability to interact effectively with different stakeholders
• Good organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects independently and proactively
• Ability to write reports and minutes in a systematic manner
• Knowledge of French is desirable
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines

Selection Criteria

• Extent of experience in advocacy, capacity development, network facilitation and technical assistance related to responsible business conduct or corporate responsibility and/or programme formulation, operational support in network facilitation and alliances
• Work experience in UN agencies and/or major international organizations
• Experience with similar activities and roles

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

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