Agribusiness Officer Job Vacancies (Private Sector Engagement) | FAO New Job Vacancies 2022

Agribusiness Officer (Private Sector Engagement)

Job Posting: 12/Sep/2022

Closure Date: 11/Oct/2022, 12:59:00 AM

Organizational Unit: FAO Investment Centre (CFIC)

Job Type: Staff position

Type of Requisition: Professional

Grade Level: P-4

Primary Location: Italy-Rome

Duration: Fixed-term: 1 year with the possibility of extension

Post Number: 2007303

CCOG Code: 1L09

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 persons 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

·       FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.

Organizational Setting

The FAO Investment Centre (CFI) aims to be the go-to place for investment and finance solutions that lead to more efficient, sustainable, inclusive and resilient agrifood systems. Working in over 120 countries, CFI provides a full suite of investment and finance support to FAO Members. It partners with governments, international financial institutions, national and international organizations, the private sector, research institutions, academia and producer organizations to improve the quality and quantity of agrifood investment. The Centre’s four main areas of work include support to strategic investment planning and policy, public investment, private investment, and innovative finance. These are complemented by the knowledge of investment and capacity development for investment programs that serve to share knowledge more widely and position the Centre as a trusted voice on investment and finance.

CFI is a multidisciplinary Centre comprising the Director’s office, which leads on strategy and business development, knowledge management, communication and administration, and five regional services: Asia and the Pacific; Near East and North Africa, and Europe and Central Asia; West and Central Africa; East and Southern Africa; and Latin America and the Caribbean.

The post is located in the Near East and North Africa, and Europe and Central Asia Service (CFIC) of the FAO Investment Centre (CFI) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting lines 

The Agribusiness Officer reports to the Chief, Near East and North Africa, and Europe and Central Asia Service of the FAO Investment Centre.

Technical Focus

Provide analytical and technical support on agribusiness development with focus on the functioning of agricultural markets and food distribution systems support services, and finance institutions for the formulation, implementation and evaluation of investment policies, strategies, programs and projects in food and agriculture, rural development and agro-processing.

Key Results

Delivering investment and finance support solutions through the provisions of technical expertise/assistance and support to capacity development, in collaboration with country stakeholders and cooperating partners, to achieve impact at scale in the transformation of agrifood systems within the scope of the FAO Strategic Framework.

Key Functions

·       Participates in, and eventually leads, multidisciplinary teams to assist governments in the identification and preparation of investment and finance support initiatives in the fields of food security, agriculture, rural development, natural resources management and agro-processing, and participates in pre-appraisal and appraisal missions.

·       Participates in, and eventually leads, multidisciplinary teams for the implementation support and the preparation of final evaluation of investment and finance support solutions.

·       Provides technical expertise for the preparation of food and agriculture, rural development, natural resources management and agro-processing studies and strategies, in the formulation of national sector and/or sub-sector investment plans and programs.

·       Supports the development of inclusive and sustainable food systems involving producers, their organizations, other private sector actors, civil society organizations and governments.

·       Formulates and delivers capacity development initiatives in the areas of food and agriculture, rural development, natural resources management and agro-processing investment support to government staff, non-state actors and private sector organizations.

·       Prepares documents in accordance with the requirements of FAO, governments and financial partners.

·       Provides support in task organization, selection of consultants, preparation of terms of reference and in ensuring the quality of outputs.

·       Promotes international cooperation and collaboration leading to new investment opportunities and cooperative agreements, advocates best practices and effective policy dialogue, and provides technical expertise at international meetings.

·       Establishes, promotes and maintains relationships with relevant Strategic Programs, FAO Technical Units and Decentralized Offices in order to ensure best synergies between investment, policy and innovation work in support of Member countries.

·       Participates in resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Corporate Strategy.

·       Provides guidance and advice to junior staff.

·       Specific functions

·       Provides contributions to the analysis of selected agricultural sub sectors and value chains, with high level of interaction with the relevant private sector stakeholders.

·       Assesses constraints and opportunities for investment at all levels of selected value chains, in relation to the functionality of private sector engagement, market and finance institutions, existence and performance of support services, trade policies, risk management systems, as well as food safety standards adoption and control systems, when applicable.

·       Identifies and analyses agricultural investment-related policy issues and provides agribusiness related options.

·       Engages with private sector stakeholders, including downstream value chains players, covering Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), agribusiness companies, agro-industry associations, and farmers’ organizations, with a view to strengthening and validating recommended investment and policy options.

·       Provides contributions to the development of knowledge products, including analytical work and practical tools, related to agribusiness, marketing and value chain development.

·       Develops public-private platforms aiming at promoting an enabling environment for investment along the value chain

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.

·       Seven years of relevant experience in the practical application of agribusiness and market development, with practical experience in the development of market infrastructure, functions and logistics, agrifood distribution systems, including experience in the formulation and/or implementation of agricultural investment operations 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).

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, with particular emphasis on the development of agricultural markets, agri-logistics and agrifood distribution systems.

·       Extent and relevance of experience in participating in multidisciplinary teams for the preparation of strategies and sector studies as well as formulation, implementation support or evaluation of agribusiness investment and finance support solutions, with focus on agribusiness development, agricultural markets and agrifood distribution systems.

·       Extent and relevance of experience in investment design, implementation support and evaluation procedures of FAO’s main development partners, in particular the World Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and other partner International Financial Institutions (IFIs).

·       Knowledge of the context as well as partners and institutions of the specific sub region would be an asset.

·       Extent and relevance of experience in major technical fields related to agribusiness development, storage and handling of mainly fresh products such as fruits and vegetables, and livestock products.

·       Extent and relevance of experience in analyzing food safety and quality and related issues.

·       Relevance of experience in capacity development in the design and implementation of agribusiness investment projects in support of food security, agriculture and rural development, and natural resources management.

·       Demonstrated experience in dealing with government officials, development partners and other country stakeholders, including the private sector.

·       Demonstrated capacity to write technical reports in English.

·       Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of French and/or Russian would be an asset.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Extension of fixed term appointments is based on certification of performance and availability of funds

FAO reserves the right not to make an appointment.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, click on the following link:  http://www.un.org/Depts/OHRM/salaries_allowances/salary.htm

  Other benefits, subject to eligibility, include:

·       Dependency allowances

·       Rental subsidy

·       Education grant for children

·       Home leave travel

·       30 working days of  annual leave per year

·       Pension fund entitlements under the UN Joint Staff Pension Fund

·       International health insurance; optional life insurance

·       Disability protection

 

FAO encourages a positive workplace culture to increase inclusivity and diversity within its workforce. FAO applies measures in which all staff members contribute equally and in full to the work and development of the Organization. This includes:

·       Elements of family-friendly policies

·       Flexible working arrangements

·       Standards of conduct.

HOW TO APPLY

·       To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills

·       Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile

·       Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application

·       Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/

·       Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications

·       Incomplete applications will not be considered

·       Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application

·       Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered

·       Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile

·       We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

If you need help, or have queries, please contact: Careers@fao.org 

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