Agribusiness Officer

Job Description

Description

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The FAO Investment Centre (CFI) provides investment and finance solutions that lead to more efficient, sustainable, inclusive and resilient agrifood systems. Working in over 120 countries, the Centre provides a full suite of investment and finance support to FAO Members. It partners with governments, international and national financing institutions, the private sector and farmers, research institutions and academia 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 for investment and capacity development for investment programmes that serve to share knowledge, learn and build capacities at country level. For additional information on the FAO Investment Centre, its activities, partners and the organizational structure please visit the following link.

Reporting Lines:

The Agribusiness Officer reports to the Chief, West and Central Africa Service (CFIE) of the FAO Investment Centre (CFI).

Technical Focus:

Provide analytical and technical support on agribusiness development, with focus on the functioning of agricultural support services, rural markets, food distribution systems and finance institutions aspects, in close collaboration with the relevant private sector stakeholders, for the formulation, implementation and evaluation of investment policies, strategies, programmes and projects in food and agriculture, rural development, natural resource management and agro-processing.

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 resource 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 resource management and agro-processing studies and strategies, in the formulation of national sector and/or sub sector investment plans and programmes.Supports the development of inclusive and sustainable agrifood systems involving producers, their organizations, other private sector actors, and civil society organizations and government.Formulates and delivers capacity development strategies and activities in the areas of food and agriculture, rural development, natural resource management and agro-processing investment support to government staff, non-state actors and private sector organizations.Prepares documents in accordance with FAO, governments' and financing partners' requirements.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 FAO Technical Units and Decentralized Offices in order to ensure best synergies between investment, policy and innovation work in support to Member Nations.Participates in resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Corporate Strategy.Provides guidance and advice to junior staff.

Specific Functions:

Provides contributions in the analysis of selected agricultural sub sectors and value chains.Assesses constraints and opportunities for investment at all levels of selected value chains, in relation to the functionality of markets (including both infrastructure and institutions), private sector engagement, 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 and solutions. Engages with private sector stakeholders, including downstream value chains players, including Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), agribusiness companies, agroindustry associations, and farmers' organizations, with a view to strengthen and validate recommended investment and policy options.Provides contributions in 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, agribusiness, business administration, economics, agricultural economics or a closely related field. Seven 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 operations in developing countries. Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate – level B) of French.

Source:

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