National Specialist on cooperatives

Organizational Setting

The Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (REU) is responsible for leading FAO's response to regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development through the identification, planning and implementation of FAO's priority activities in the region. It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, identifies priority areas of action for the Organization in the Region and, in collaboration with departments and divisions at Headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO's strategic response to regional priorities. REU also advises on the incorporation of regional priorities into the Organization's Programme of Work and Budget and implements approved programmes and projects in the region, monitors the level of programme implementation and draws attention to problems and deficiencies. The Regional Office supports regional policy dialogue on food security, agriculture and rural development issues, facilitates the emergence of regional partnerships, and supports capacity development and resource mobilization for food security, agriculture and rural development in the region.

Reporting Lines

A person for this function will be recruited under the project, based on FAO HR rules. Under the direct supervision of Programme/Operations Officer or BH and overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Armenia and under the technical guidance of the Lead Technical Office (LTO) of the project, as well as in close cooperation with the Government authorities, other national counterparts and the national/international consultants

Technical Focus

On 1 March 2021, the European Union-Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) enter into force. It has now been ratified by the Republic of Armenia, all EU Member States and the European Parliament. This represents an important milestone for EU-Armenia relations. Under this context FAO Armenia will support the Ministry of Economy in the preparation of adopting the CEPA in agriculture sector. It will also look at effective policies and legal/policy preparedness of the pandemic with a focus on cooperatives and provide support on the development of the applicable strategy for the cooperatives as well as on the targeting for the COVID-19 recovery phase.

Tasks and responsibilities

- Contribute in preparation of comprehensive situation analysis of existing agricultural cooperatives in the country; provide technical recommendations on directions for its sustainable development; - Assesses the capacities and performance of existing rural agriculture cooperatives and benchmarks best practices and business models of agricultural cooperatives regionally and globally; - Review and assess the existing agricultural cooperative governance structure to strengthen cooperative networks and support structures; - Review and revise as appropriate smallholders specific agricultural cooperative policy, institutional and regulatory frameworks to comply with international cooperative standards; - Contribute to the organization and facilitation of national consultations and stakeholders dialogue to support the consultative development of the cooperative strategy with a plan of action for the cooperatives in Armenia; - In consultation and guidance of International Expert prepare and implements a training programme to strengthen the technical, operational and managerial skills of the agricultural cooperatives' members; - Contribute in project component progress reports and identifies lessons learned, constraints and issues that require timely resolution and corrective actions and presents recommendations.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

- Advanced university degree in agriculture economics, agribusiness management, cooperative development or a closely related field - Three years of relevant experience in agriculture or agribusiness management. Experience or familiarity with cooperatives is an asset. - Fluency in Armenian and English. Knowledge of Russian is an asset. - Good analytical and communication skills. - National of Armenia or resident in the country with a regular work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

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