Agriculture Food Value Chain Specialist

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.

The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by an FAO Representative, is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner.

FAO is working with the Government of Zambia on a Technical Assistance to the Scaling Up Nutrition Programme in Zambia project under the SUN Phase II program. The program is jointly funded by Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW), Irish Aid and the European Union (EU) in 17 districts of Zambia through UNICEF. Leveraging complementary technical assistance from other UN agencies, UNICEF has a UN-to-UN cooperation agreement with FAO.

The SUN phase II FAO programme component contributes to the reduction of malnutrition in pregnant and breast-feeding women and children under two (2) years of age through improvements in dietary diversity and quality. FAO’s project outcome is a sustained demand, utilization and consumption of agriculture and forest foods.

More specifically, the project is structured around the delivery of four interconnected outputs:

- Output 1: Access to diversified, nutritious food improved. - Output 2: Sustainable production, processing, value addition and marketing of non-wood forest products for dietary diversity and income generation - Output 3: Food safety and diet quality enhanced - Output 4: Generation of nutrition information to monitor, prioritize and adapt interventions.

The position is located in the FAO Representation in Chinsali, Muchinga province of Zambia.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative, direct supervision of the National Coordinator – Food Security and Nutrition and the technical guidance of the Lead Technical Officer (LTO) and relevant technical units in FAO.

Technical Focus

The incumbent will provide technical support to the SUN II project in Muchinga province focusing on nutrition sensitive agriculture, behaviour change and communication, nutrition education and food security and food safety.

Tasks and Responsibilities

The incumbent, through his/her work, will contribute to implementation of the project activities among which include:

FIELD RESPONSIBILITIES FOR EASTERN AND MUCHINGA PROVINCES:

• In collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, the Forestry Department and the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, provide technical support to the sector activities under the SUN II program in the Mpika, Chinsali and Isoka districts of Muchinga province with extended support to Chiengi District in Luapula Province. • Liaise with the local NGOs and the DNCC to ensure the implementation of nutrition sensitive agricultural activities relating to FAO technical support to SUN II in the two provinces • In consultation with the SUN II Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, carry out monitoring and evaluation of SUN II activities in the assigned provinces • Contribute to the organization of and/or participate in meetings, conferences, workshops, consultations and field visits as needed; contribute to building collaborations and partnerships • Represent FAO in district and provincial level SUNII partners meeting in the assigned provinces • Write monthly progress reports relating to FAO technical support to SUN II in the two provinces • Provide weekly updates on the project implementation during the SUN II team weekly meetings

TECHNICAL LEAD TO AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY FOOD VALUE CHAIN COMPONENT OF THE SUN II PROJECT:

• Provide technical guidance and support project implementation specifically related to output 1 on agriculture production liaising with the Nutrition Specialist • Review information materials, and contribute to the development of technical papers, and guidelines related to agricultural food value chain. • Appraise capacity building needs related to the development, competitiveness, inclusiveness and improved impacts of agriculture value chain development; and develop training materials and play a leading role in training activities. • Collect and disseminate relevant data and information related to food value chains and systems, including for example, trends and developments, approaches, impacts, lessons and good practices. • Provide technical support to production, processing and utilisation of fish and fish products • Provide technical support to production and management of short cycle small livestock e.g. Goats, sheep, rabbits. • Provide guidance to the production and management of poultry such as Chickens, Quails, Ducks, Guinea Fowls, Eggs • Support with food Safety and the aflatoxins reduction actions throughout the agriculture food value chain, • Support the production of underutilized high nutrition crops through access to inputs for crops such as Soya beans, bambara nuts, ground nuts, beans, cowpeas, pigeon Pease, etc • Promote sustainable production practices in food production (such as conservation agriculture, climate smart agriculture, sustainable intensification practices)

COMMUNICATION RELATED TASKS

• In consultation with the Communications Specialist, collaborate with the district and provincial media organisations to communicate information relating to FAO technical support to SUN II • Liaison with the OCC will be maintained, either directly or through an agreed focal point/coordinator, to ensure compliance with OCC standards, appropriate review and clearance process • All communication materials will follow FAO clearance processes and comply with FAO standards, including

FAOSTYLE (English: https://www.fao.org/3/cb8081en/cb8081en.pdf; French: https://www.fao.org/3/AC339FR/ac339fr.pdf; Spanish: https://www.fao.org/3/ac339s/ac339s.pdf; Arabic: https://www.fao.org/3/ac339a/ac339a.pdf; Chinese: https://www.fao.org/3/ac339c/ac339c.pdf); FAO terminology http://www.fao.org/faoterm; FAO Names Of Countries https://www.fao.org/nocs/en; Story guidelines http://intranet.fao.org/fileadmin/user_upload/occ/Quick_Guides/UPDATED-Digital-Storytelling-Guide-EN-FINAL.pdf; Story template http://intranet.fao.org/fileadmin/user_upload/occ/Quick_Guides/FAO-Stories-Template-UPDATED.pdf; UN map standards (available to staff); FAO Brand and policy book (available to staff Further guidance regarding FAO communications, policies and procedures can be found through the FAO intranet, OCC section.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• An undergraduate degree or master’s degree in agriculture, Agricultural agribusiness, Livestock production, nutrition or related field • Five (5) relevant progressive experience working in Agriculture/Agribusiness/Livestock Production. • Working knowledge of English (C1) • A national of Zambia

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional skills

• Ability to work independently and under minimum supervision and to cope with conflicting agendas; • Result-oriented approach; • Excellent analytical and synthesis capacities; • Experience in capacity building and training, an asset

Selection criteria

• Demonstrate Knowledge and experience in business development services (BDS) market development approach including value chain development (VCD). • Knowledge of nutrition is an added advantage. • Prior experience working with FAO or any UN agency. • Knowledge and experience in working with Government counterparts and development partners • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. • Good communication and interpersonal skills • Strong focus on results and deliverables • Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
• Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/
• For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.