National Specialist on Geographic Indications in Marketing Strategies

Organizational Setting

The main aim of FAO Country Office, 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 help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner. FAO Kyrgyzstan assists the Government to develop policies, programmes and projects to address the root causes of hunger and malnutrition, to develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors and to use environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner. FAO participates in the development and implementation of field projects in the sectors of food security, agriculture and rural development. This requires the integration within the broader framework of sustainable food and agriculture that aims at increasing production and productivity, addressing climate change, and managing natural resources; and enhance rural livelihoods.

In this context, the FAO is implementing in collaboration with the Government of Kyrgyzstan (GOK) and the Russian-Kyrgyz Development Fund (RKDF), the Project “****Promoting accelerated green investment in agriculture through capacity building of national financial institutions” (TCP/KYR/3805). Project activities are aligned to the immediate needs, particularly those associated with the post-COVID socio-economic rehabilitation framework, as well as longer term development challenges associated with Agenda 2030 and beyond

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative in Kyrgyzstan and direct supervision of the Lead Technical Officer (LTO), HQ TO, and in close coordination with the project International/National Consultants and national counterpart, the National Project Coordinator (NPC), the national consultant will undertake the following duties:

Technical Focus

Agricultural Marketing in Kyrgyzstan, in the following sub-sectors: Yak meat; white honey and trout

Tasks and responsibilities

Under the “Promoting accelerated green investment in agriculture through capacity building of national financial institutions”, the National Expert on Geographic Indications (GIs) Marketing Strategies will provide high-level support to achieve the project objectives and outputs. Their main tasks are the following:

• Contribute to the review of international experience marketing strategies within the context of geographical and suggests some marketing opportunities in Kyrgyzstan, with a particular focus on the sub-sectors which might be of importance and relevance for Kyrgyzstan;
• Prepare 1 to 3 marketing strategies in consultations with the project stakeholders for the following Yak meat, White honey and Trout - Toktogul basin, Jalal-Abad region. The consultant will develop a Marketing Report including, among others, the following: 1. Marketing Strategy Statement; 2. Situation Analysis; 3. Target market; 4. Buyer and consumer; Marketing objectives and performance; Market positioning and pricing strategy; Distribution strategy; Promotion / Communication plan; Budget;
• Provide technical assistance to the Ministry of Agriculture’s Working Group of GIs on technical specifications, codes of practices, internal and external control plans; provide inputs to the development of the code of practice and internal controls for GIs and contribute to the preparation of a Workshop on the above topic;
• Provide inputs to organize a Workshop on how to improve marketing and digital marketing strategies with the members of the working group;
• With support of the International consultant, conduct series of trainings both for staff members of respective public institutions as well as for the engaged private sector representatives and business associations;
• Jointly with the International Consultant present the developed marketing strategies at a Round Table with participation of national and international stakeholders.

Perform any other duties when required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Master degree in agricultural marketing, agricultural economics, agribusiness, agricultural sciences / agro-economy / economics, or related field
• At least 3 years of working experience working in agricultural marketing, investment promotion etc
• Demonstrated experience of at least 5 years in developing agricultural marketing strategies and systems, and in developing master marketing plan for agriculture commodities within the framework of GIs, and in agri-business development value chain analysis and development;
• Working knowledge of English and Russian.
• National of the Kyrgyz Republic 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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Experiences on developing agricultural marketing strategies and plans for agriculture commodities - walnut, yak meat, white honey, and other related sub-sectors in Kyrgyzstan -
• Good analytical and writing skills
• Research, data analysis, analytical and reporting skills
• Demonstrated capacity to communicate and write technical contributions in English and Russian.
• Facilitation of workshops and meetings
• Corresponding experience in trout, yak meat, white honey, and other related sub-sectors in Kyrgyzstan, and good understanding of the Kyrgyzstan, Agriculture Context would be a strong asset
• Professional experience working in more than one element of the chain in for example agronomy, environmental/resource conditions, post-harvest handling, value addition, market linkages