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  • 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

Organizational Setting

The FAO Sub-Regional Office for the Caribbean (SLC) was established in 1996 and is based in Barbados. It is headed by a Sub-Regional Representative/Coordinator and is staffed by a Multidisciplinary Team and an Administrative Unit.

SLC supports 13 member countries; Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, The Bahamas, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Suriname, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Lucia, and Trinidad and Tobago. Moreover, FAO Representations are present in Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname; Jamaica, Belize and the Bahamas; and Guyana.

FAO SLC with implement several national technical cooperation programmes with countries across the OECS region in the area of competitive and resilient value chain development. These projects aim to strengthen and build high potential agricultural value chains at the national and regional level to improve farmer livelihoods, increase food security, and contribute to the reduction in national food import bills.

FAO is seeking an agriculture finance specialist for a cluster of value chain development projects across the Caribbean region. This program aims to strengthen the competitiveness of high potential value chains using a market system approach to catalyze systemic changes through partnerships with farmers, public and private sector actors and financial institutions. The Agriculture Finance Specialist will be part of the FAO Value Chain team and her/his primary role will be to collaborate with farmers, companies, lenders and investors in the creation/adaptation of finance mechanisms that support farmers in the transition of high potential national value chains. This work will include development of business cases for farmers, lenders and investors, raising visibility and commitments to value chain finance, and, where possible, catalyzing the creation of new mechanisms and disbursements of capital. Work will be focused in countries across the Caribbean with strong interaction and support from the FAO sub-regional office in Barbados.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall guidance of the FAO Sub-Regional Office for the Caribbean, and the technical supervision of the FAO SLC Trade and Markets Officer and Fisheries Officer, the Consultant will provide administrative and technical support to FAO’s Value Chain Development and Agribusiness projects in the OECS and support the regional implementation of the applied Value Chain (VC) methodology to promote sustainable and inclusive agricultural industries in the Caribbean.

Technical Focus

The objectives of the assignment are threefold. Firstly to support the developing a financial models for agricultural business opportunities across the region, particularly for small holder farmers. Areas of focus include fish silage, fruit tree, livestock and aquaculture businesses in in Barbados, OECS, Guyana and Belize. Secondly, this assignment also aims to complement, contribute to and develop FAO’s Value Chain Development methodology across the Caribbean region by increasing financial and business strategy information available to farmers and agribusinesses to promote increased investment in the agricultural sector. Finally this assignment also aims to work with, develop and train national public officers, private stakeholders and other beneficiary agencies.

Tasks and responsibilities

  • Compile, synthesize and package agricultural business case information for target audiences (farmers, processors, financial institutions);
  • Provide financial advisory support to farmers/agribusinesses to develop targeted business models, improve feasible operations, provide guidance in business development options, and income risk mitigation options such as insurance schemes;
  • Engage with agricultural sector stakeholders, target banks, companies, development banks and investors to attract increase financing and investment in targeted agricultural value chains;
  • Contribute to and strengthen FAO´s access to finance methodology;
  • Train national agricultural financial officers to provide accounting and business development support to farmers;
  • Provide support to maintain and strengthen relationships with target public institutions including agriculture ministries, export agencies, and development banks to support the adoption of the case for action for finance;
  • Promote increase access of smallholder farmers to commercial financial services;
  • Present and liaise with stakeholders including farmers, processors, financial institutions and impact investors;
  • Provide technical support to FAOs value chain development methodology and programme across the region.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

  • University degree in agricultural economics, management accounting, business management, accounting, finance or a related field required; advanced degree preferred;
  • Minimum five years of experience working in agriculture financing, agribusiness, microfinance development, banking institutions, rural finance, and/or agro insurance;
  • Working knowledge (level C) of English and limited knowledge (level B) of one of the other FAO official languages (French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Russian) for Consultants. Working knowledge of English for PSA.SBS

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

  • Experience in development of cost of production assessments in agriculture is an advantage;
  • Experience in agricultural production and/or farm management is an asset;
  • Experience in providing business strategy advise to small businesses;
  • Work experience working in the Caribbean is preferred;
  • Experience developing and inclusive business models;
  • Proven financial and cost accounting skills;

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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Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify. Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.