National Project Coordinator (Agribusiness & Youth)

Organizational framework

The FAO Subregional Office for Eastern Africa (SFE) provides technical and programmatic support to nine member countries, the African Union, Regional Economic Communities, and other strategic partners on food security and nutrition and other agriculture development thematic areas. FAO-SFE supports the promotion of decent employment in agriculture and agribusiness for youth and women in Eastern Africa. Considering that these two groups are heavily disenfranchised, FAO recognizes a need to act with urgency to create sustainable opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship in the agriculture sector. In this regard, the FAO Subregional Office for Eastern Africa is implementing a project on "Promoting Employment Opportunities and Agripreneurship among Youth and Women in Eastern Africa". The project seeks to create decent employment and self-employment opportunities in agriculture (on-and off-farm) and agribusiness for youth and women in Eastern Africa. The project targets seven countries in Eastern Africa, namely: Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, South Sudan and Uganda.

Reporting lines:

The National Project Coordinator will work under the overall supervision of the FAO-SFE Subregional Coordinator, the FAO Representative and work in close coordination and technical guidance of the Agribusiness Officer/project's Lead Technical Officer (LTO). The National Project Coordinator will also work closely with the International Agribusiness Expert and Country Project Focal Person assigned to the project.

Technical Focus

To ensure successful implementation of the project, a National Project Coordinator is needed to lead project activities at the national level and support project team members.

Tasks and responsibilities

The National Project Coordinator will undertake the following tasks:

• Survey for innovations in digital solutions in the agriculture sector in the country, particularly those targeting youth and women agricultural entrepreneurs, • Collect and collate information on technologies and digital solutions in agriculture, • Compile information on youth and women's activities in agricultural entrepreneurship and financial service providers and development partners supporting women and youth in the agricultural sector, • Work with the International ICT Expert, populate the interactive Digital Engagement Platform with data and information collected on innovative and digital solutions in agriculture, including specific youth and women related information in agribusiness and associated value chains, • Review existing agribusiness strategies to reflect new realities of COVID-19 and other emerging issues that affect youth and women employment and agricultural entrepreneurship, • Review and build on existing socio-economic assessments on the impact of COVID-19 on women and youth employment and agricultural entrepreneurship, • Along with the International Agribusiness Expert and the Country Focal Person of the project, identify target youth and women beneficiaries according to agreed selection criteria and organize capacity-building exercises on selected value chains (compliant with COVID-19 restrictions), • Map existing women and youth networks, incubation centers and TVET institutions in the agriculture sector and enhance the capacities of select institutions to design and execute interventions to support skills development for women and youth in agriculture (compliant with COVID-19 restrictions), • Work with the International Agribusiness Expert, review existing work on agriculture value chains in target countries with high potential for employment/income generation for youth and women, • Develop value chain upgrading strategies and implementation plans for supporting youth and women agricultural entrepreneurs, • Work with the International Agribusiness Expert, develop matchmaking strategies for youth and women agricultural entrepreneurs with financial services, facilitated through the Digital Engagement Platform, • Organize dialogues between financial service providers and youth and women agricultural entrepreneurs in the beneficiary countries for possible matchmaking, • Provide support in organizing and delivering, where necessary, presentations on the project activities on behalf of the FAO country office and FAO-SFE, • Provide monthly reports on activities carried out, • Perform other related duties as requested.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING:

Minimum Requirements

• The candidate should be national of Burundi or resident in the country with a regular work permit. • University degree in rural development, agribusiness, economics, sociology or other relevant social sciences. • At least four years of relevant experience in agribusiness, policy and strategy development • At least four years of programme formulation and management. • At least four years of operational support in employment policies and youth empowerment. • Working knowledge of French and English.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Extent and relevance of experience in Project Cycle Management and Project Development, organizing and conducting baseline studies, action planning exercises, validating study reports and organizing meetings and workshops. • Coping with pressure and insecurity: the ability to work productively in a high-pressure environment. • Ability to communicate effectively. • Competence in relevant IT tools and platforms (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, SharePoint, etc.), Cloud File Storage Systems. • Flexibility and openness to work in an international environment. • Tact, courtesy and a high level of trustworthiness are essential personal attributes; • Analytical ability, accuracy and consistency.

Selection Criteria

• Extent and relevance of experience and knowledge on organizing and conducting baseline studies, action planning exercises and Project Cycle Management and Project Development. • Extent and relevance of experience in developing guidelines, training materials, policy instruments. • Familiarity to work with UN agencies, Government and other partners. • Relevance of experience with project development and management is an asset. • Ability to work under pressure and willingness to travel in Burundi, where necessary; • Demonstrated capacity to write technical reports in English. • Quality of both oral and written communication skills.