National Value Chain Specialist

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 help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner.

Reporting Lines

The incumbent will work under the general and operational supervision of the FAO Representative in Albania, the direct supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative in Albania and the technical guidance of the REU Gender and Social Protection Specialist, as well as in close liaison and consultation with the Project Coordinator/Gender Specialist

Technical Focus

Responsible for the implementation of the FAO value chain/incubators component under the UNJP/ALB/015/UNJ "Gender Rural Equality and Tourism" (GREAT) Project

Tasks and responsibilities

• • In close collaboration with the Project Coordinator/Gender Specialist, contributes actively to the formulation of annual project work-plans within the area of responsibility (value chains and incubators);
  • Lead the development of technical documents for the value chain/incubators development and clear action plans for the related project activities;
  • In cooperation with the Gender/RAS Specialist, conducts the assessment of value chains for the selected groups/networks to establish the incubators in selected project areas that meet the project criteria and priorities;
  • In cooperation with the Gender/RAS Specialist, advise the selection of value chains for the establishment of the incubators in selected project areas in close collaboration with project partners and Project Coordinator;
  • Analyse vertical chain coordination (including contract farming) and horizontal cooperation.
  • Prepare within a short strategic plan for the development of incubators, by incorporating the "from farm to tourist" approach and the promotion of authentic products produced by rural women and smallholders;
  • Prepare the development and investment plans for the value chain/incubators component of the FAO in the GREAT project in close collaboration with the beneficiaries, project team, and the implementing partners;
  • In close coordination with the project team, provides recommendations to policy-makers and municipalities on 1) how to improve horizontal and vertical coordination, and 2) how to move towards a one-stop-shop approach;
  • Design a monitoring system and prepares a monitoring baseline report with particular focus on the value chain/incubators component of the FAO in the GREAT project;
  • Contribute with specific recommendations regarding the capacity-building component of the project;
  • Provide inputs to the FAO Quarterly Monitoring Reports and other reports (progress against planned activities, outputs, and immediate outcomes) and assist the management staff for the preparation of SC meetings;
  • Undertake two monitoring missions in the three designated areas to ensure project’s timely delivery and quality of results and prepare specific reports these missions findings;
  • Participate and contributes to important meetings with stakeholders and project partners;
  • Collaborate closely with the Gender/RAS Specialist on overlapping analysis and activities, particularly during the first phase of the project.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in agricultural economics, agricultural engineering, business, economics, food systems, food science and technology, rural finances or other related discipline
• At least three years of relevant experience in knowledge generation, policy formulation, capacity building in experience in agronomy, agribusiness, or provision of extension and advisory services
• Working knowledge of English.
• National of Albania 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

• Demonstrated experience in one or more following areas: value chain analysis and development, rural finances, agribusiness and market development, agro-food processing, rural tourism development.
• Experience designing and implementing projects aimed at improving pro-poor and inclusive agricultural value chains and linkage with markets is an asset.
• Demonstrable experience in analysis of agri-food chains in Albania is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with FAO areas of work (sustainable food value chains, food systems, food safety, food security, nutrition, climate change, etc.)