Rural Finance Officer (Direct Grants to Beneficiaries)

Organizational Setting

In pursuit of these aspirations, the Rural Transformation and Gender Equality Division (ESP) structures its work around three core Objectives: 1). Build sustainable and resilient livelihoods for vulnerable people in agrifood systems; 2). Achieve gender equality and women's empowerment in agrifood systems; and 3). Promote equitable, inclusive and sustainable climate action and natural resource management. The Inclusive Rural Finance Team works to address the micro-, meso- and macrolevel constraints to the efficient, inclusive and sustainable functioning of the rural financial market. Its main priorities are: financial inclusion, focusing on smallholder farmers, fishers, agri-Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), rural youth and women; access to green finance to facilitate the transition to sustainable agriculture and food systems; effective risk management and de-risking of agrifood systems and value chains to enhance financial inclusion for the agrifood players; successful and inclusive adaptation of digital financial solutions; and financing for development. The position is located in the Inclusive Rural Finance Team in the Rural Transformation and Gender Equality Division (ESP).

Reporting Lines The Rural Finance Officer reports to the Senior Policy Officer (Rural Institutions, Services and Empowerment)/Inclusive Rural Finance Team Leader.

Technical Focus Technical support to direct grants to beneficiaries.

Key Results Research, technical analysis and project related services to support the delivery of programme projects, products and services.

Key Functions • Researches and analyses technical, social, economic, environmental, institutional and technology related information, data and statistics and/or related policy issues to support the delivery of programme projects, products and services. • Produces a variety of technical information, data, statistics and reports as well as input for technical documents and web pages. • Provides technical support/analysis to various assessments, studies and initiatives and provides technical backstopping to field projects. • Collaborates in the development of improved/updated tools, systems, processes and databases. • Participates in multidisciplinary teams and/or leads working groups/teams collaborates with other divisions and agencies on work groups and committees and promotes best practices. • Collaborates in, provides technical backstopping to and ensures the quality/effectiveness of capacity development activities within Member Nations such as policy support, organizational development and individual learning events, including preparation of related information, learning materials and on-line tools. • Promotes knowledge sharing and best practices at international meetings and conferences and influences partners in stakeholder consultations. • Supports resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Corporate Strategy.

Specific Functions • Develops, delivers and makes available technical guidance materials, presentations and training courses on inclusive rural finance, particularly on Beneficiary Grants modality for both field practitioners and divisions in headquarters. • Supports Country Offices in building technical capacity relating to inclusive rural finance and the use of the Beneficiary Grants modality, including recruitment of Rural Finance Experts and the acquisition of external services. • Provides technical support and clearance on the feasibility and formulation of development projects and interventions with inclusive rural finance and Beneficiary Grants components. • Participates in Project Task Forces for projects involving inclusive rural finance and Beneficiary Grants components, upon request. • Collates case studies and good practices collected through FAO country offices over time, facilitating sharing between user offices. • Provides technical and programmatic support to implementation of inclusive rural finance interventions and Beneficiary Grants, including technical support to the development of operational workflows and tools. • Develops technical policy in relation to the use of Beneficiary Grants and its various sub-modalities in FAO. • Represents FAO in global technical forums and coordination bodies relating inclusive rural finance and the to use of the Beneficiary Grants modality and other financial instruments.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________ CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements • Advanced university degree in Agricultural/Agribusiness Finance, Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness or Applied Economics. • Five years of relevant experience in one or more of the following areas: agricultural and/or agribusiness finance, value chain finance and/or agricultural/ rural investment. • Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate – level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

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

Technical/Functional Skills • Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions, is desirable. • Extent and relevance of experience in designing, implementing and supporting direct grants to beneficiaries in field projects. • Extent and relevance of experience or knowledge of agricultural and rural financial services. • Extent and relevance of experience in analysis, design, implementation, and evaluation of programmes, and policy support related to rural financial and investment products and services in line with the mandate of FAO. • Extent and relevance of experience in technical writing and presentations and in addressing professional meetings. • Extent and relevance of experience in organizing international meetings, seminars and training courses in rural and agricultural finance.