Market System Developer

Organizational Setting

FAO in collaboration with the government, UN organizations and development partners began serving both the host communities and the Rohingya population in building their livelihoods and skill development opportunities in Cox’s Bazar from October 2017.

As the continuation of the crisis response moving towards development intervention, the FAO is implementing the multi-donor funded programme in strengthening resilience through Agri-Food Systems Transformation in Cox’s Bazar. The programmatic approach for intervention promotes economic inclusion and strengthening of local supply chains and markets, as well as the development of private sector partners across the sub-sectors of the crop, livestock, and fisheries.

The Cox’s Bazar livelihood programme contributes to food security and households’ nutrition through improved farming practices in increasing farm productivity and profitability for the smallholder farmers. The farmers’ adoption of climate-smart agricultural technologies develops opportunities for host communities to economically benefit from the wider markets created due to the Rohingya influx. In addition, the strategies for integrated farm production and networking with the digital extension services reiterate the FAO’s commitment to sustainable and resilient livelihoods for the local communities.

Reporting Lines

The Market Market System Developer is an SC 06 position based in Cox’s Bazar. S/he will work under the overall supervision and guidance of the Senior Emergency and Rehabilitation Officer, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh and Senior Programme Advisor, the direct supervision of the Market Development Specialist in coordination with the operations, MEAL and other team members. The incumbent will be responsible for the implementation of the agricultural market development interventions at the field level and provide technical support to the partner organizations. S/he will also assist the Market Development Specialist in developing and implementing programmes and projects related to agribusiness, and value chain development and establish farmers’ market linkages with a focus on the marginal and smallholder farming families.

Technical Focus

The Market Market System Developer will assist in planning the market development activities and lead the field implementation to explore the market with the host community farmers’ groups. S/he will maintain very good working relationships and linkages with the government organizations, development partners, and private sector actors to ensure quality input, services, and commodity marketing. S/he will collaborate closely with the Livelihoods/Agricultural team in ensuring the delivery of programme activities, promoting farmers’ access to the FAO-established aggregation centers and FAO-WFP-led farmers’ markets in the Cox’s Bazar district.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Understand and analyze farm productivity, crop diversification appropriate for the farmers’ groups and business models to enhance farmers’ access to the market; • Determine the cost-benefit analysis of the existing agricultural commodities produced by FAO-supported farmers’ groups to promote their businesses in the rural market; • Organize business linkage meetings and training for farmers, local service providers, market actors and relevant private sector representatives at union and sub-district levels; • Conduct field-based demand and supply analysis of agricultural commodities; • Assist in identifying diversified crop market actors, conduct the rapid market assessment, develop value chain maps and identifies constraints, market‐based solutions, and incentives to integrate small‐scale producers into diversified crop supply chains and commercial distribution networks; • Monitor the field-level activities of the partner staff to ensure their capacities in exploring market opportunities for the farmers’ groups /value chain actors; • Provide technical assistance to the producers in organizing promotional events and demonstrations of their farm produce; • Conduct regular field visits and spend a significant period with the farmers, stakeholders and market actors in strengthening linkages among them; • Play a key role in increasing farmers’ groups' access to the higher market in maximizing the profit with their potential commodities/high-value products; • Contribute to establishing aggregation centers/collection points and market outlets to explore market opportunities for the potential /high-value commodities of the farmers’ groups; • Assist in preparing the progress reports and documents regularly for the management, donors and other stakeholders; • Support in analyzing existing market and design agro-business strategies to support FGs and Aggregation Centers for increasing their capacity to access higher markets; • Support in Agro-business planning, market assessment and programmatic guidance for the partners and other stakeholders according to project guidelines and donor requirements; • Support the Aggregation Center for the effective execution of the project interventions/activities with the coordination with partners, relevant market actors, and public and private organizations; • Experience working in and with the private sector, market systems approach, inclusive business/market models, and public-private partnerships. • Experience to work for sustainable and resilient agricultural production in the climate-affected area; • Experience to work in the adverse climatic condition and disaster-prone areas; • Perform other related duties, as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Four year Bachelor degree in Agriculture, Business Administration, Development Studies or in a related field; • Minimum 5 years experience in agri-business development, rural market system analysis (inputs and outputs), farm economy and a good understanding of market development strategies, approaches and market for the poor (M4P); • National of Bangladesh • Working knowledge of English

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Knowledge of national food systems and agricultural value chain systems; • Professional experience with agro-based private sector entities will be an added advantage. • Proven track record of successful teamwork, good presentation/facilitation skills; • Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Outlook); • Experience in UN Agencies is preferred. • Ability to perform in multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary contexts; • Excellent verbal and written communication skills are required; • Ability to work independently and with minimum supervision

Selection Criteria

• Experience in complex/protracted emergencies would be an asset; • Experience in conflict-sensitive and peacebuilding programmes would be an asset; • Field experience in implementing value chain development activities and establishing Aggregation Centers in the rural area; • Field experience to work directly with private sectors aligning with the project interventions;

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
• Incomplete applications will not be considered. If you need help please contact: [email protected]
• 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.