National Project Personnel- Responsible Agricultural Investment

Organizational Setting

The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by an FAO Representative, is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner.

FAO Liberia supports the Government of Liberia as well as non-state actors in creating an enabling environment for responsible investment in agriculture and food systems through the project “Enhancing the enabling environment for responsible investment in agriculture and food systems” (GCP/INT/920/GER). Through this project, FAO provides capacity development support, technical advisory services and facilitates multi-stakeholder dialogue.

Efforts to promote responsible investment in agriculture and food systems in Liberia are integrated with related approaches to promote responsible governance of tenure of land, fisheries and forests.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Liberia , the direct supervision of the Assistant FAOR for Programme and in cooperation with the Programme Officer for Responsible Agricultural Investment, the national consultant will provide both technical and operational support on Responsible Agricultural Investment activities and the implementation of the Project GCP/INT/920/GER.

Technical Focus

The incumbent will support the FAO Liberia office in achieving the following objectives:

• Enhanced investment screening processes in partnership with the National Investment Commission and the Ministry of Agriculture; • A sustainable multi-stakeholder platform for responsible investment in agriculture and food systems, and enhanced coordination among key stakeholders more broadly; • Youth are empowered to invest responsibly in agriculture and food systems.

Tasks and Responsibilities

• Familiarize with RAI relevant documentation, including project documents, recent publications and learning materials shared by the Programme Officer; • Support logistical planning of one learning programme on screening for responsible agricultural investment; • Ensure efficient and constant liaison with line ministries and non-state actors; • Act as focal point for the RAI multi-stakeholder platform supporting the government actors to continually lead activities; • Liaise with AFAOR Programme and the RAI Programme Officer, as well as other colleagues, to ensure complementarity between RAI interventions and related projects and programmes, in particular on the responsible governance of tenure; • Support the drafting of one project proposal on responsible investment and youth in Liberia; • Provide input to progress reports, final report and evaluation of GCP/INT/920/GER; • Monitor budget expenditures under GCP/INT/920/GER; • Carry out any other task assigned by FAOR.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced University degree (MSc) in social sciences, political sciences, political economy, economics, agriculture or a related field • Five years of relevant experience in supporting agricultural investments and /or implementing natural resources management or demonstrated experience in similar field • Fluent in English. Working knowledge of French would be a distinct advantage; • Candidates should be nationals of Liberia.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Familiarity with the Liberian agricultural institutional environment, line ministries and non-state actors; • Familiarity with issues related to youth and women inclusion in agriculture and food systems; • Familiarity with agricultural investment issues is a distinct advantage; • Strong interpersonal and communication, reporting and presentation skills; • Work experience with projects funded by international donors; • Extent and relevance of experience in planning, managing, implementing and monitoring projects that are consistent with agreed work plans and key performance indicators; • Excellent interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills; • Strong partnership building and networking skills involving multiple types of partners and stakeholders; • Ability to identify issues, analyse and participate in the resolution of issues/problems; • Familiarity with the UN rules and procedures, experience in developing policies; • Previous working experience in the region and familiarity with the country situation will be highly desirable; • Ability to prepare concise reports according to United Nations standards. • Knowledge and use of participatory planning tools and stakeholders’ engagements. • Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written;

Selection Criteria

• Extend of experience in agriculture, agricultural investment, programme development, or closely related field. • Independent worker and excellent skills working as part of a team. • Very high skills/knowledge of background related to the ToR’s Requirements. • Experience with FAO or other UN agencies’ systems and administration procedures for technical cooperation activities is desirable.

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. Subject to certain exemptions, vaccination against COVID-19 will in principle be required. Vaccination status will be verified as part of the medical clearance process.