Chief Technical Adviser (Markets and Production)

Organizational Setting The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through its Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to More efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agri-food 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 develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner.

This position is located in Karachi, Pakistan and requires frequent travel to project areas in Sindh and Balochistan.

FAO is a contract UN partner of the International Trade Centre (ITC) who manages the EU funded project 'Growth for Rural Advancement and Sustainable Progress' (GRASP). The Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) is also an implementing partner. The GRASP is a six-year project designed to reduce poverty in Pakistan by strengthening small-scale agribusinesses in two provinces: Balochistan and Sindh. It will help small and medium-sized enterprises in horticulture and livestock become more competitive by making improvements at all levels of the value chain. FAO is leading the work on the development of local value chains and upgrading and improving their capacity for accessing markets, development of improved productivity through inclusive value chain approaches.

Reporting Lines The Chief Technical Adviser reports to the FAO Representative (FAOR) in Pakistan and works in close collaboration with the Deputy FAOR, Assistant FAORs (Programme and Administration) and under the technical supervision of the Lead Technical Officer of the project in Bangkok.

Technical Focus • Leadership and technical expertise for the planning, development and implementation of an EU funded GRASP project in partnership with ITC and PPAF; in accordance with the FAO’s Strategic Objectives and in alignment with the Country Programming Framework (CPF); • Leads the development of detailed project and related programme work plans, ensures timely development and implementation of the GRASP project; • Agricultural value chain development, private sector engagement, agribusiness support, exposure of private/public sector partnerships with a broad range of skills and capabilities in the management, team building and operations; • Provides technical and skills development leadership and contributes to identify and pilot innovative initiatives in value chains, agribusiness, market linkages and inclusive food systems in the province; • Monitors, supervises and guides the timely execution of project activities ensuring in particular close working relations with government officials, line departments/authorities, and provide general supervision of the project teams and staff in the Provinces as required.

Key Results Leadership and technical expertise for the planning, development and implementation of Programmes of work, projects, related-products, and services in accordance with FAO Strategic Framework.

Key Functions • Leads the development, implementation and evaluation on technical issues of assigned programmes/projects; directs the review of relevant documents and reports; identifies priorities, liaises with relevant parties; identifies and initiates follow-up actions; • Coordinates programmes and reviews the assessment of issues and trends for the implementation of programmes and projects as well as the preparation of impact evaluation or equivalent studies; • Supervises preparation of various written outputs, e.g. background papers, analysis, substantial sections of reports as well as studies, and inputs to publications; • Directs substantive support to consultative meetings and conferences, to include the proposition of agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations; • Manages outreach activities; designs and conducts training workshops, seminars; and makes presentations on assigned topics/activities; • Leads field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties; • Provides advice to develop policies and strategies as well as national protocols and guide lines for projects with specific domains related to FAO's work.

Specific Functions • Leads the implementation of the GRASP project activities, contributes to the preparation of detailed annual work plans, targets and budget estimations according to needs; is responsible for ensuring that all the development goals and project targets allocated to provincial teams are met on time; • Provides technical advice in the review of relevant documents and reports; identifies priorities, liaises with relevant parties including GRASP project offices in Islamabad, Sindh and Balochistan; identifies follow-up actions; • Coordinates project-related activities and reviews the assessments of issues and trends for timely implementation and preparation of impact evaluation or equivalent studies; • Forms, leads and supervises GRASP project personnel in the provinces; • Supervises preparation of various written outputs, e.g. background papers, analyses, substantial sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications and submission to ITC and EU as required; • Contributes to consultative and other meetings, conferences, including proposals for agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations; • Participates in activities such as structuring of training workshops, seminars; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities; • Oversees and engages the project specialists to identify specific value chain opportunities relevant to the provinces and leads detailed assessments of the potential and additional resources required to realize viable support and related business plans and models; • Oversees and engages the national programme staff to structure grant interventions for inclusive value chain development in their respective regions, ensuring conformity to donor and FAO standards and quality; • Identifies prevailing legislative or regulatory constraints impeding development of the sector, or subsectors, and designs interventions accordingly; • Conducts periodical reviews and suggests and implements corrective measures; • Liaises with the Provincial Focal Points and relevant Departments and Ministries in the Federal and Provincial governments, PPAF, international and national research institutes, FAO and other technical assistance and develop partnerships to ensure co-ordination and collaboration required for implementation of the project; • Contributes to resource mobilization in the context of the Country Program Framework; • Performs other related duties as required.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________ CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements • Advanced university degree in agriculture production/economics, agro-food processing, agribusiness, rural development, or relevant disciplines; • Ten years of relevant experience in leading agro food project management, value chains and agribusiness development, agriculture and rural development; • Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

Competencies • Results Focus • Leading, Engaging and Empowering • Communication • Partnering and Advocating • Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement • Strategic Thinking

Technical/Functional Skills • Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is essential; • Relevance and extent of experience with international and development organizations in agro food project management, agriculture and rural development; • Relevance and extent of experience in leading the timely implementation of large scale agro food projects and working with national and provincial level authorities, the local private sector and multidisciplinary teams; • Extent of experience in provision of technical and skills development, identification and piloting of innovative initiatives in the area of inclusive value chains, agribusiness and market linkages; • Relevance and extent of experience in working with multidisciplinary teams, local producers groups and their associations, enterprises, enabling and organizing improved agriculture production and agro-food market access and development; • Extent and relevance of experience in promoting gender inclusion in project interventions for increased income and employment generation, enhanced productivity and profitability of agro-food producer groups and enterprises; • Demonstrated ability to mobilize resources and engage in productive partnerships.