National Value Chain Specialist

Organizational Setting

The FAO office in Bangladesh intends to provide technical assistance to the public sector stakeholder institutions in Bangladesh to facilitate the implementation of Smallholder Agriculture Competitiveness Project. , the overall aim of this project is to strengthen the capacity of implementing agencies to successfully implement the project and reach the expected results.
The Government of Bangladesh has assigned four institutions to implement the project. These are the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Department of Agricultural Marketing (DAM) and Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC). DAE will be the lead agency under overall supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA).

Reporting Lines

The incumbent will work under overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Bangladesh, direct supervision of the Senior Technical Adviser (STA) – SACP.

Technical Focus

The specific duty of the National Value Chain Specialist is to provide technical guidance for the SACP project. Specifically, the National Specialist is expected to provide strategic guidance to the components of the SACP for collection of relevant information and data, cooperation with private sector and use of the matching grants for the VCs strengthening. Finally, s/he will be responsible for preparation and conducting training sessions aiming at marketing skills development, rural investments and other, as necessary. The National Specialist will review and provide feedback to the project on relevant high value crops and their value chains.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Assist the STA to provide strategic advice to the SACP Project Management Unit (PMU), district offices and upazilla in the development and implementation of the project activities.
• In cooperation with the Government counterparts review existing value chain analysis and intervention strategies to address identified constraints and impediments.
• Develop detailed value chain maps for the identified products with a view to identify and highlight key shortcomings, gaps and inefficiencies.
• Develop a detailed plan of action for each of the value chains to address key policy, institutional, technology, efficacy of the chain, service provision and issues related to inclusion.
• Identify the strategic roles of the private sector in crop agriculture and the opportunities for private sector participation in the value chains, making keen linkages with producers groups.
• Recommend relevant marketing strategies for the HVCs and train the government counterparts in applying them.
• Perform other related duties as required for the smooth implementation of the project.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• At least five years of relevant professional experience in planning/design, monitoring, results measurement, evaluation, accountability, information/knowledge management, action research and reporting in an international development setting, preferably with UN
• University degree in a discipline relevant to the mandate of the organization and the duties listed
• Working knowledge (level C) of English and Bangla
• National of Bangladesh

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Very good understanding of the Value Chains (VCs) concept and experience in developing VC in Bangladesh.
• Previous experience in working with private sector in Bangladesh, specifically in agribusiness and rural development.
• Knowledge of marketing tools and techniques, and practice in designing marketing strategies for agriculture sector in Bangladesh.
• Familiarity with the matching grants modality and its' use for rural investments and VCs development.
• Experience in designing and delivering training for different types of audiences (e.g. government counterparts, implementation teams)
• Willingness to work as a team member with multicultural and multidisciplinary team of experts
• Willing to undertake intensive field works
• Ability to work independently and proceed with objectives of the assignment work under pressure and meet deadlines;
• Self-motivation, willingness to learn and good work ethics
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and Bangla

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION