Agribusiness Specialist

Organizational Setting

The main aim of the FAO Country Offices, which are headed by an FAO Representative, is to assist governments in developing policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and nutrition and reduce hunger and malnutrition, promote sustainable agricultural development, reduce rural poverty, develop inclusive agri-food systems and strengthen livelihood resilience – in line with the Organization’s Strategic Objectives and United Nations’ global and Government of Egypt’s national Sustainable Development Goals.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO representative and Assistant FAO Representative, the direct supervision of the Project Senior Advisor, the Agribusiness officer, will work in close collaboration with the technical team of the project, and the team of FAO Office in Egypt and their wider rural communities are aware of advancing positive nutrition outcomes and healthy diets in the designated locations of the Menya governorate.

Technical Focus

The Agribusiness Specialist under the project GCP/EGY/044/NOR titled as “Improved Socio-economic Status, Food Security and Empowerment of Vulnerable Rural Communities in Minya Governorate” will coordinate and lead the design, implementation and evaluation of strategy and policy development as well as agricultural investment operations with a focus on agribusiness development and the creation of an enabling environment for efficient and inclusive agriculture and food systems, including functioning agricultural support services to rural markets and finance institutions.

The Agribusiness Specialist will be responsible for the writing and reviewing of the documents to support the delivery of the products and services of the agribusiness unit.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Plans and leads components of multidisciplinary 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 policies, as well as 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, as well as 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 Nations, such as policy support, organizational development and individual learning events including preparation of related information, learning materials and on-line tools.
• Promotes international cooperation, advocates best practices and increased policy dialogue; provides technical expertise at international/intergovernmental meetings.
• Participates in resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Corporate Strategy.
• Design awareness and media campaigns and demonstration events for promoting nutritious foods and healthy diets within
• Advises on the design of strategies and policies related to agricultural marketing, agribusiness, and the development of inclusive and sustainable agrifood small and medium enterprises (SMEs), value chains and systems.
• Develops concepts, methodologies, guidelines and indicators for agricultural marketing, agribusiness and the development of inclusive and sustainable agrifood SMEs, value chains and systems.
• Advises Member Nations through reviews and the provision of technical advice, as well as 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, as well as 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, organizations, risk management systems and private sector engagements.
• Organizes and facilitates discussions on agribusiness investment-related policy issues involving representatives of the private and public sectors, with a view to reaching a consensus on improved policies.
• Provides technical assistance and advice to agribusiness investment projects in the field of marketing.
• Analyses and provides technical advice on regional, as well as international trade facilitation, policy and investment promotion.
• Maintains and develops strong partnerships with private sector organizations, cooperatives, partners, collaborators and development finance institutions.
• Assesses constraints and opportunities for investment at all levels of selected value chains, in relation to the functionality of private sector engagements, markets and market institutions, existence and performance of support services, trade policies, risk management systems, as well as food safety control systems when applicable.
• Identifies and analyses agricultural investment-related policy issues and develops public and private platforms aimed at promoting an enabling environment for investment along the value chain.
• Provides contributions to the development of knowledge products, including analytical work and practical tools, related to agribusiness, marketing, SMEs and value chain development.
• Any other duties related to the incumbent’s field of experience, as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in agriculture, agro-industry, food technologies, economics, agricultural economics or a closely related field.
• Seven years of relevant experience in the areas of agro-industry systems development, agrifood industry economics and management or a related field, application of value chain analysis and development, agribusiness and market development, including experience in the formulation and/or implementation of agricultural investment operations.
• Working knowledge of the English and Arabic languages.
• National of Egypt.

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, is desirable.
• 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 and agricultural market studies.
• Extent and relevance of experience in leading value-added transformations 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 agrifood industries development.
• Demonstrated ability to provide comprehensive and analytical review of very technical documents and scientific papers.
• Demonstrated high proficiency in writing technical documents (evidence review documents, Food Based Dietary Guidelines, scientific articles, etc.) in a clear, precise and concise manner.
• Design curricula and prepare training and extension materials for use in campaigns and events for promoting nutritious foods and healthy diets within FFSs and FBSs implemented.
• Key messages developed for eight advocacy and media campaigns and demonstration events at key locations (e.g. village schools, health centres and agricultural service centres as well as FFSs and FBSs) raising the awareness of some 3,000 people from the target villages.
• Design kits for hygienic food preparation and storage and coordinate distribution of 66 kits.

Selection Criteria

• The work experience of the area.
• It is preferred to be Minya-based.
• If available, a sample report on women empowerment.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION