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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 Regional Office for Africa (RAF) leads FAO’s response to regional priorities for food security and nutrition as well as agriculture and rural development through the identification, planning and implementation of FAO’s priority activities in the Africa region. It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, identifies priority areas of action for the Organization in the region and, in collaboration with offices, centres 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 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, guided by SDG 1 No poverty, SDG 2 No hunger, and SDG 10 Reducing inequalities. In addition to supporting FAO’s work in Member countries, RAF develops and maintains strategic partnerships with continental organizations, such as the African Union Commission and Regional Economic Communities (RECs). At policy level, RAF supports countries to develop strategies, policies and regulatory frameworks as well as supports regional, sub regional and country policy dialogues that sustain efficient and inclusive agricultural and food systems. RAF also facilities partnerships with a broad range of stakeholders, supports capacity development and resource mobilization for food security and nutrition as well as agriculture and rural development in the region.
The programme area of work on ‘Sustainable Agribusiness, Inclusive and Resilient Value Chains” includes activities to contribute to the transformation of agrifood systems in Africa, by making agribusinesses and their food value chains more competitive, sustainable, inclusive and resilient. The area of work includes, among others: (i) facilitating and strengthening market linkages for increased access to markets; (ii) increasing access to financial services for agrifood MSMEs; (iii) reducing post-harvest loss.
Reporting Lines
The agribusiness and finance specialist reports to the Agribusiness Officer in RAF.
Technical Focus
The consultant will provide analytical and technical support on agribusiness development including functioning of agricultural support services, rural market and finance institutions aspects, for the formulation, and implementation of projects and for the development of normative works (guidelines, case studies, technical notes).
Tasks and responsibilities
• Identification and preparation of projects in the field of value chain development and support to increase access to financial services for MSMEs;
• Formulation and delivery of capacity development initiatives in the areas of agribusiness and finance;
• Analysis of selected agricultural sub-sectors and value chains;
• Identification of constraints and opportunities for investment at all levels of selected value chain;
• Formulation of agribusiness finance and investment-related policy issues.
• Production of knowledge products including analytical work and practical tools related to agribusiness and value chain development, as well as access to finance for MSMEs.
• Support to the private sector development, by facilitating public private platforms, agribusiness incubator and accelerators, aiming at promoting an enabling environment for investment along the value chain.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• University degree in agriculture, agro-industry, business administration, economics, agricultural economics or a closely related field.
• Five 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 and finance support solutions in developing countries.
• Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate – level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish). For PSA, working knowledge of English.
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, particularly in field positions.
• Extent and relevance of experience in technical fields related to agribusiness development, value-chain development and analysis, business planning, and agriculture marketing.
• Extent and relevance of experience in formulation and implementation support of agricultural investment and finance support solutions, with focus on value chain development and agribusiness.
• Knowledge of the context as well as partners and institutions of the region would be an asset.
• Extent and relevance of experience in major technical fields related to value chain analysis.
• Demonstrated capacity to write technical reports in English.
• Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of French would be an asset.
Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency
