International Senior Value Chain Development Consultant

Organizational Setting

The position is located at the FAO Representation in Georgia under the European Neighbourhood Programme for Agriculture and Rural Development (ENPARD) IV programme. The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by the 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.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall responsibility of the FAO Representative in Georgia and the direct supervision of the FAO Programme Coordinator, and in close coordination with other international and national staff of the ENPARD IV Programme and the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture (MEPA) officers in Georgia, , the International Senior Value Chain Development Consultant will:

Technical Focus

The International Senior Value Chain Development Consultant leads the work of the ENPARD IV programme in terms of the selection of value chains and the preparation of support packages, composed of technical support and access to finance for equipment/investments, to be implemented under the Outcome2 of this project.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Lead the identification of the priority areas for policy intervention in value chain development with a focus on food safety; • Work with the MEPA and its agencies, governmental entities, donor organizations, representatives of the private sector, farming organizations, local and international investors for the purpose of elaboration of schemes for encouraging innovative economic growth among the primary producers and Food Business Operators (FBOs), as well as studying the competitiveness of the selected Georgian agricultural value chains, for the purpose of development of specific policy recommendations for support packages (Outcome 2); • Participate in preparation of policy papers, assessments and research papers on selected value chains, in relation to the project implementation and with a focus on food safety; • Assist in the preparation of a training programme for primary producers and FBOs to upgrade capacities related to food safety aspects; • Help and guide the project team in terms of development of methodological framework for the value chain studies including information and data sources, timing, logistics, budget, human resources requirements and the output of specific value chain studies; • Help and guide the project team in terms of reaching the relevant key international sources of qualitative and quantitative information necessary for drawing conclusions as to the global and specific competitiveness trends and patterns relevant to value chains identified; • Participate in development of identified value chains focused on competitiveness and actionable changes that can be implemented by the private sector with the support of the project for strengthening their competitive position; • Serve as a key peer reviewer to the drafts developed by the team and recommend the external peer review when and if required; • Participate in functioning of a policy analysis/advisory mechanism relying on the relevant departmental resources of the MEPA; • Participate in identification of policy areas related to value chains development with a potential of quick gains by means of innovative and pragmatic policy interventions; • Support the Ministry and project in implementation of the policy recommendation regarding value chain development; and • Other duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Formal education in agri-business, business administration, economics, agricultural economics, food industries, international development studies, or a related field; Advanced university degree • At least 7 years of relevant experience in agribusiness, food systems, and/or value chain development • Working knowledge (level C) of English and limited knowledge (level B) of French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, or Russian.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is desirable • Extent and relevance of experience in agribusiness, food systems, and/or value chain development • Extent and relevance of experience in Georgia or in the region • Extent and relevance of experience in implementing matching grant programmes • Ability to plan and organize own work, deliver results and meet deadlines • Ability to write clear and concise technical documents • Ability to perform well in cross-disciplinary teams • Excellent oral and written communication skills