International Consultant for Agrifood Systems Innovation and Digitalization

Organizational Setting

The Food And Agriculture Organization of the United Nations’ (FAO) Subregional Office for the Pacific (SAP) covers Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Republic of Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. FAO SAP is responsible for developing, promoting, overseeing and implementing agreed strategies for addressing subregional agriculture, food, nutrition and rural development priorities. FAO SAP develops and maintains relations with subregion-wide institutions including the Council of Regional Organizations in the Pacific (CROP). The Subregional Office is a subsidiary of FAO’s Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) in Bangkok. FAO-SAP promotes innovation and digitalization in agrifood systems. The innovation and digitalization of agrifood systems work stream contributes to the Organization’s corporate agendas such as the Digital Village Initiative (DVI) see 1000 Digital Villages Initiative (fao.org) and the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Solutions Platform see SIDS Solutions Platform (fao.org). Under DVI, FAO promotes digital innovations to support inclusive, gender-sensitive rural development and sustainable agrifood transformation to meet Agenda 2030 goals. Conversely, the FAO SIDS Solutions Platform facilitates knowledge sharing on innovation and the digitalization of agrifood systems to catalyse the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). To advance the innovation and digitalization agenda, FAO has mobilized resources to support several Pacific countries over the development and implementation of e-agriculture strategies, that will should positively catalyse national agrifood systems for example, by using technology in plant production and protection, pests and disease control, mitigation of disaster impacts, forestry, livestock, fisheries, food processing, marketing, nutrition education, food safety, etc. FAO is therefore looking for an international consultant to who can lead this work stream in the Pacific with creativity.

Reporting Lines

The International Consultant for Innovation and Digitalization in Agrifood Systems will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Subregional Coordinator, and direct supervision of the Nutrition and Food Systems Officer for the Subregional Office for the Pacific Islands.

Technical Focus

• Identifying, nurturing, scaling up and implementing innovation and digitalization • Innovation and digitalization in rural development, agriculture, food, nutrition, health and climate change resilience • Analysis and planning of innovation and digitalization • Documentation and reporting • ICT and social media awareness • Resource mobilization and project management

Tasks and responsibilities

• Design and complete desk reviews and consultations with various stakeholders with the aim of identifying trends of innovation and digitalization in SIDS. • Consult communities and countries to identify, clarify and implement their agendas for innovation and digitalization in agrifood systems in the Pacific. • Lead the development and implementation of national e-agriculture strategies as the technical lead for FAO and in collaboration with relevant actors such as ITU, UNDP, IFAD, WB, UNCDF, etc. • Identify and promote to Pacific SIDS, measureable and applicable successes on innovation and digitalization of agrifood systems from other Pacific SIDS, none Pacific SIDS and regions. • Research and promote practices that specifically address the inherent gender disparities in innovation and digitalization of agrifood systems. • Contribute to the planning of forums, conferences, meetings, etc. • Project management, resource mobilization, reporting, etc.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in a field related to development, innovation, technology, digitalization, agriculture, food science, social sciences, broadband, business/public administration, economics, law, other related areas, etc. • At least 5 years of relevant experience in development, agrifood systems, rural development, public policy, technology, innovation, business planning, digitalization, broadband or a related field. • Working knowledge (level C) of English and limited knowledge (level B) of one of the other FAO languages (French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Russian) for Consultants. Working knowledge of English is sufficient for PSA.SBS.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Knowledge of the cultural, economic and geopolitical context of the Pacific. • Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency