Agribusiness Consultant

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FAO - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

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Application deadline 3 years ago: Friday 19 Feb 2021 at 22:59 UTC

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Organizational Setting

FAO Zambia in collaboration with Government of Zambia through the Ministry of Agriculture and the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT) is implementing the Sustainable Intensification of Smallholder Farming Systems (SIFAZ) project (GCP/ZAM/080/EC). The project is funded by the European Union and contributes to the National Indicative Programme (NIP) objectives of: (1) improved and sustainable rural livelihoods; (2) improved nutrition and food security; and (3) improved environmental sustainability.

The project is implementing a research for development approach where applied research is conducted alongside scaling-up of sustainable and climate smart crop production and land management practices within selected pilot areas representing three agro-ecological zones of Zambia. The aim is to test, promote and enhance the uptake of sustainable intensification practices including mechanization among smallholder farmers while fostering market linkages and creating an enabling environment for sustainable agriculture growth.

Implementation of the SIFAZ project involves a number of stakeholders (farmers, agro-dealers, financial service providers, mechanization service providers, aggregators, off takers etc) that are key to establishment of improved environment for sustainable intensification program on the ground. In this regard, the project sees that creation and encouragement of partnership between stakeholders and improvement in contractual capacity is key to achievement of the project’s overall goal of increased smallholder farmers' productivity, income and employment opportunities while pursuing a gender sensitive approach

Reporting Lines

The Agribusiness Consultant reports to the Chief Technical Officer (SIFAZ Project)

Technical Focus

The Consultant will support the SIFAZ project to technical and operational support in agribusiness to government stakeholders for promotion of value addition innovations among smallholder farmers

Key Results

Research, technical analysis, product and knowledge generation, and project related services to support the delivery of efficient and effective project products and services.

Tasks and responsibilities

Researches and analyses agribusiness-related issues for enhanced understanding relevant technical issues and effective delivery of project services ; • Produce a variety of agribusiness and marketing information, data, statistics and documents as well as technical input for reports; • Provide technical support/analysis to various assessments, and technical backstopping to implementing partners especially in project areas; • Collaborate in the development of improved/updated tools, systems, processes, and databases related to agribusiness and marketing; marketing linkages and agribusiness technical input. • Assist in mapping and identification of marketing opportunities; including the creation of market linkages; • Participate in multi-disciplinary teams, and/or leads working groups/teams collaborates with other departments and agencies on work groups and committees and promotes best practices that are relevant to agribusiness and marketing; • Promote knowledge sharing and best practices at various platforms and fora and influences partners in stakeholder consultations; • Perform other duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in business administration, agricultural economics, development economics, agribusiness, value chain development (including livestock, forestry and fisheries), or related field; • Three (3) years of relevant experience in the area of agribusiness, marketing, value chain development, making markets work and research, monitoring and evaluation • Working knowledge of English, French or Spanish and limited knowledge of one of the other two or of Arabic, Chinese, Russian (for COF.REG). Working knowledge of English, French or Spanish for PSAs.

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus • Team Work • 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 • Relevance and extent of experience in agribusiness and marketing including value chain development • Relevance and extent of experience in working with inter-governmental bodies and multi-disciplinary teams • Extent and relevance of experience in supporting, advising and guiding the implementation of complex, multi-stakeholder projects; • Ability to develop plans for the implementation and coordination of project operations in developing countries, in partnership with UN agencies, NGOs and other concerned actors; • Extent and relevance of experience in programme/project formulation, analysis, planning and implementation • Understanding of FAO policies and programmes is considered a strong asset; • Extent of experience in formulation, implementation and monitoring of projects; • Familiarity with UN administrative, operational and financial procedures is an asset.

Added 3 years ago - Updated 3 years ago - Source: fao.org