International Expert – Tea Product development and market

Organizational Setting:

FAO Representative in Madagascar, to Comoros, Mauritius and Seychelles.

Background

The Government of the Republic of Mauritius (GoM) plans to bring the sector back from the brink of collapse and capitalize on its unique island characteristic as well as on the opportunities presented from rising demand for Mauritian tea. It is within this framework that the Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security (MAIFS) requested FAO to undertake a study to identify the drivers which led the tea industry into decline and what dynamic transformative actions are needed to reverse this trend. The report recommended a holistic approach from bush to cup for a successful transformation of the tea sector, which includes a range of interventions to address the systemic challenges facing the tea industry and subsequently transform the tea sector. The GoM has requested technical assistance. FAO has responded positively to the request through the provision of a Technical Cooperation Project (TCP) to support local capacity and help the local stakeholders organized themselves to achieve the transformation.

Reporting Lines:

Under the direct managerial and administrative leadership of the FAO Representative in Madagascar as the Budget Holder, overall-guidance of Tea Expert (TCDC) and the Lead Technical Officer (LTO) and in close collaboration with National Agricultural Product Regulatory Office, and APRO, Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security.

Technical Focus:

Economy market

Tasks and responsibilities

The International Expert – Tea Product development and market will undertake the following activities to provide technical and functional support to the project “Transformation of the tea sector – TCP/ TCP/MAR/3804”. The International Expert – Tea Product development and market will undertake the following duties:

• Develop a work plan for the consultancy including timeframes for regular updates to the project’s LTO.
• Conduct of field visits and stakeholder consultations to appreciate the extent of the issues related to tea market
• Undertake a product diversification feasibility study in line with global and local tea market development
• Undertake a tea branding exercise to define the unique terroir characteristics of Mauritian tea and sustain the transformation of the tea sector
• Develop a tea market plan
• Perform other related duties with the project when required

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in any business subject, agricultural science and agricultural economics
• At least 15 years’ professional tea marketing and tea product development
• Working knowledge of English or French and limited knowledge of one of the other two for COF.REG. For PSA.SBS working knowledge of English or French.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Strong administrative and organisational skills,
• Computer literacy
• Good English technical report writing skills.
• Ability to provide team leadership and motivation
• Ability to work independently, with minimum supervision
• Good understanding of the tea Mauritian Agriculture Context
• Good analytical and writing skills