Agribusiness Specialist

Organizational Setting

FAO’s work in post-disaster and emergency situations emphasizes the protection and rehabilitation of agricultural livelihoods. Following the loss of life, livelihoods and destruction caused by Cyclone Idai in March 2019, The World Bank availed USD 75 million to finance the Zimbabwe Idai Recovery Project. The ZIRP is a multi-sectoral project addressing both early and mid-term recovery needs in livelihoods, health, education, WASH and agriculture. FAO is implementing the agricultural component of the ZIRP focusing on three priority areas; (i) restoration of crop production; (ii) restoration of livestock production; (iii) rehabilitation of irrigation schemes.

Reporting Lines

Working under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Zimbabwe, and direct supervision of the National Project Coordinator, the Agribusiness Specialist will provide expert technical support to the project

Technical Focus

The technical areas/profiles covered will be as follows: • sustainable agricultural production and agribusiness, • value chain and food system development • Capacity building

Tasks and responsibilities

• Coordinate and facilitate collaboration on market linkage aspects with the project stakeholders, in particular the private sector, in order to build public-private-community partnerships in support of project activities. • Work with the other project officers to support market linkages, develop sustainable crop input support models and facilitate commercial crop production at rehabilitated irrigation schemes and other project areas. • Contribute to the development of extension, training and advisory services related to farming as a business, private extension provision and public–private partnerships and financial literacy. • Facilitate community sensitization, mobilization and execution of participatory natural resource planning, agroecological approaches and environmental management activities in selected micro-catchments/watershed with key stakeholders. • Working with project beneficiaries (men, women, farmer groups & youth), seek and support opportunities to reduce post-harvest food losses and waste, and value addition of food products at the farm/household level. • Participate in project monitoring and drawing up lessons learnt and course corrections. • Assist in the writing and compilation of project reports. • Perform related duties, including the direct implementation of other technical activities, as required • Facilitate institutional strengthening of existing or new grower organizations for aggregation and sale of produce in the Nyahode valley

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced degree in Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics, Agronomy or related field from a recognized institution • At least 5 years of relevant field experience, including the commercialisation of smallholder producers, building linkages with input, output and/or financial markets, crop and livestock production, nutrition and natural resources planning • Fluent in English. • National of Zimbabwe.

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus • Teamwork • Communication • Building Effective Relationships • Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Understanding of the needs and challenges of agribusinesses, smallholder farmers and other agribusiness value-chain actors in Zimbabwe or similar contexts • Experience in developing farmer field schools and advising agribusiness projects • Excellent skills in Microsoft Excel and Word • Excellent skills in project management demonstrated on previous jobs • Proven track record in working effectively within multidisciplinary teams

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
• Incomplete applications will not be considered. If you need help please contact: [email protected]
• Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
• Only language proficiency certificates from UN accredited external providers and/or FAO language official examinations (LPE, ILE, LRT) will be accepted as proof of the level of knowledge of languages indicated in the online applications
• For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/