Ethiopia: Agribusiness Officer (Development) P-4

Organizational Setting

FAO's Subregional Office for Eastern Africa is responsible for developing, promoting, overseeing and implementing agreed strategies for addressing subregional food, agriculture and rural development priorities. It develops and maintains relations with subregion-wide institutions including Regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs). It assists the FAO Representations (FAORs) in the subregion with addressing subregional food security, agriculture and rural development issues at country level. The Subregional Office is a subsidiary of FAO’s Regional Office for Africa.

The post is located in the Sub-regional Office for Eastern Africa.

Reporting Lines

The Agribusiness Officer (Development) reports to the Sub-regional Coordinator for Eastern Africa, in close cooperation with technical officers in the Subregional Office for Eastern Africa (SFE), Regional Office for Africa (RAF) and Rural Infrastructure and Agro-Industries Division (AGS).

Technical Focus

Under the functional guidance of the Director, Rural Infrastructure and Agro-Industries (AGS), to provide support for activities related to agribusiness and marketing development and management in the Sub-region.

Key Results

Comprehensive technical and policy expertise to support the planning, development and implementation of Regional programmes, projects, products and services in accordance with Regional objectives and FAO Strategic Objectives.

Key Functions

· Plans and leads components of multi-disciplinary teams, leads and/or participates in internal committees, project teams, and working groups and/or provides specialized expertise on technical networks and/or international technical policy and/or international technical policy and standard setting bodies;

· Develops technical, analytical, monitoring and reporting frameworks, and related methodologies, tools, systems and databases etc. to support the planning, implementation/delivery and monitoring of programmes of work, projects, products and/or services;

· Designs and conducts research, data collection, validation, analysis and/or reporting activities to support the development of technical standards, international instruments, innovative approaches and strategies, new tools, technologies, technical reports/publications, and/or policy proposals as well as the provision of technical/policy/ specialist/advice and expertise;

· Responds to country requests for technical and policy assistance, provides technical advice, assistance and solutions to Decentralized Offices and provides technical backstopping to field projects;

· Collaborates in, provides technical backstopping to and ensures the quality / effectiveness of capacity development and knowledge sharing activities within member countries such as policy support, organizational development and individual learning events including preparation of related information, learning materials, on-line tools;

· Promotes international cooperation/advocates best practices, increased policy dialogue and provides technical expertise at international/intergovernmental meetings;

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

Specific Functions

· Advises on the design of strategies and policies related to agricultural marketing and inclusive and sustainable agrifood value chain development;

· Develops concepts, methodologies, guidelines and indicators for agricultural marketing and inclusive and sustainable agrifood value chain development;

· Advises member countries through reviews and the provision of technical advice and capacity development on agricultural marketing and agrifood value chains development;

· Performs the analysis of selected agricultural sectors/food chains, including food security and food safety issues and assesses the feasibility of agribusiness investment projects;

· Analyses the constraints and opportunities related to agribusiness investment options with emphasis on the functionality of markets, support services, trade policies, market institutions and organizations, risk management systems and private sector engagement;

· Organizes and facilitates discussions on agribusiness investment-related policy issues involving representatives of the private and public sector, with a view to reach consensus on improved policies;

· Provides technical assistance and advice to agribusiness investment projects in the field of marketing

· Provides technical assistance to governments and RECs with respect to: agricultural value chain development, agricultural supply chain management, private sector development, business development services and marketing

· Analyses and provides technical advice on regional and international trade facilitation and policy and investment promotion.

· Maintains and develops strong partnerships with organized private sector organizations, cooperatives, partners, collaborators and development finance institutions

· Represents FAO in meetings, presentations, and other dialogues with Governments, RECs, other partners, collaborators and donors organizations

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

· Advanced university degree in Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics or other relevant discipline related to Agricultural or Agribusiness Development

· Seven years of relevant experience in the areas of agro-industry systems development, agri-food industry economics and management or related field .

· Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of French.

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 is desirable

· Extent and relevance or knowledge of value added transformation and technologies of food and agricultural materials through processing, packaging, handling and storage, including product quality aspects within food and commodity chains

· Extent and relevance of experience in the analysis, design, implementation and evaluation of strategies, programmes and projects related to agro-food industries development

· Extent of experience in undertaking professional writing and presentations and in addressing professional meetings

· Extent and relevance of experience in organizing international meetings, seminars and training courses in the technical general area of agro-industries development

· Extent and relevance of experience in the design or implementation of agribusiness investment operations or technical assistance projects, including elaboration of agribusiness investment feasibility studies/food chain analyses/agricultural market studies.Please note that all candidates should adhere to*FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.*

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

· All candidates should possess computer/word processing skills.

· Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which will be followed by a competency-based interview.

· Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your iRecruitment online profile (see “*How to Apply*”). We strongly recommend that you ensure that the information is accurate and complete including employment record, academic qualifications and language skills.

· Please note that FAO will only consider academic credentials or degrees obtained from an educational institution recognised in the IAU/UNESCO list.

· Other similar positions at the same level may be filled from this vacancy notice and the endorsed candidates will be considered for the Employment Roster for a period of 2 years.

· Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments.

REMUNERATION

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

To apply, visit the iRecruitment website at http://www.fao.org/employment/irecruitment-access/en/ and complete your online profile. Only applications received through iRecruitment will be considered.

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

Vacancies will be removed from iRecruitment at 23:59 Central European Time (CET) on the deadline for applications date. We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date. If you need help, or have queries, please contact: iRecruitment@fao.org