VALUE CHAIN DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST (PLANT PRODUCTION)

Overview

Assist in the planning and implementation of agriculture value chain programs

You have:

• Bachelor degree in Agronomy, Rural Extension, animal science, social science, sustainable development, or another relevant field.
• Five years of relevant experience in Rural Extension.
• Relevant background experience on technical areas related to plant production, value chain approaches and market-oriented production.
• Working knowledge (level C) of English.

Organizational Setting

FAO's office for Yemen is responsible for developing, promoting, overseeing, and implementing agreed strategies for addressing countrywide food, agriculture, and rural development priorities under Yemen. It develops and maintains relations with the relevant Ministries at country level.

This position is based in FAO Representation in Sanaa, Yemen. 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 Value Chain Development Specialist will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Yemen, and the direct supervision of the Senior Program Coordinator. The incumbent shall assist in the planning, design, implementation, and monitoring/evaluation of value chain related programmes within FAO mandate and specifically be responsible for implementing selected agriculture value chain work.

Technical Focus

The incumbent shall assist in the planning, design, implementation, and monitoring/evaluation of value chain related programmes within FAO mandate and specifically be responsible for implementing selected agriculture value chain work.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Review the main existing crop /horticulture value chains in the country including market trends, technological and infrastructure status, market demand and supply, primary actors and their roles and linkages, post-harvest handling, business support service needs (including capacity building), and regulatory and control mechanisms.

o Assess the major constraints affecting crop/ horticulture value chains, and identify potential development opportunities and approaches to overcome these constraints in line with FAO Country Plan of Action (POA) o Identify opportunities to upgrade the competitiveness of crop /horticulture value chain(s) through opportunities in the local and distant markets and develop strategic approaches to exploit those opportunities. o Identify areas of improvement for better production and productivity to increase competitiveness of the small-scale producers, and agro-food enterprises engaged in the value chain and opportunities for better employment and income including value addition and processing activities, o Provide advice on crop combination options for optimal and sustainable production (suitable options for intercropping seasonal crops). This will consider issues such as crops that are nitrogen fixing, fodder crops, etc. Advise on appropriate management techniques for the different crops. o Contribute to the development of proposal for mainstreaming capacity building and innovative training approaches (e.g., Farmer Field Schools) in the promotion of value chains; Review the legal and regulatory environment of specific crops, value chains with a focus on policies, incentives, export promotion mechanisms, training, quality promotion, certification, standardization, and partnerships, and propose needed harmonization of the legislative and regulatory framework for value chains.

• Assist in preparing the specifications of inputs, supplies and equipment, envisaged in project documents and assist in their procurement and distribution to beneficiaries. • Recommend the optimal combinations of improved seed varieties and inputs including specifying the seed varieties most appropriate for the targeted areas and the best and / or most cost-effective inputs. • Assess the seed storage options and facilities for each crop and costs associated with the different options to be adapted by small seed producers. • Identify the risks, opportunities or barriers associated with the crop, taking into consideration the vulnerability of each crop to pests, drought; losses during storage; and market reliability and accessibility; classify each crop as being of high, medium, and low risk. • Identification of possible improvements that can lead to significant increases in employment and income, particularly for women and youth. • Analyse potential risks that may hamper reaching the projects’ goals for the value chain. The analysis should provide narratives if the bottlenecks are critical (i.e., the project would fail to increase opportunities for small produces . • Initiate and assist in the design and monitoring of capacity building and innovative training approaches (e.g., Farmer Field/ business Schools) in the promotion of value chain for small producers. • Enhance the awareness among various stakeholders on FAO's role in value chain development. • Prepare concept notes on value chain development and marketing-related programs. • Assist in providing support in all aspects of crop production including seed use, production practices, preservation, and marketing. • Advice and assist in the identification of value chain related policies and best practices that contribute to improved agricultural production and food security in the country for the selected crops. • Handle day-to-day operational aspects of projects and programs including emergency response in accordance with the project management cycle from initiation phase to operational and financial closure. • Participate in the design of emergency/rehabilitation projects and programs, including the preparation and presentation of project proposals and fully-fledged project documents. • Ensure technical clearance is obtained from the relevant technical unit for all project proposals, project documents and technical specifications. • Provide operational support to the implementation projects and programs, including budgetary management and monitoring expenditures. • Undertake travel to ensure adequate operational support is provided to the implementation of development and emergency projects and programs. • Prepare monthly progress report (with detailed information regarding project activities) for timely submission to FAO. • Perform any other tasks requested by the FAO Representative and/or line managers in relation to his/her expertise.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor degree in Agronomy, Rural Extension, animal science, social science, sustainable development, or another relevant field. • Five years of relevant experience in Rural Extension. Relevant background experience on technical areas related to plant production, value chain approaches and market-oriented production. • Working knowledge (level C) of English.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• General knowledge and skills in the use of standard office software, such as MS Office (Word, Excel, Power Point). • Excellent written and oral communication skills in English

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Potential interview questions

Added 2 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: fao.org