Value Chain Specialist

Organizational Setting

The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by an FAO representatives, is to assistant 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 to ensure zero hunger in the country. FAO provides support in three priority areas: sustainable increase in production and productivity, agriculture-based economic growth, and increased resilience of livelihoods to threats and crisis.

Currently FAO, is implementing the Agricultural Markets, Value Addition and Trade Development project (AMVAT) in the 3 states of Central Equatoria, Eastern Equatoria and Jonglie. The focus of the AMVAT is on the “4” value chains of Maize, Sorghum, Sesame and G/Nuts. The project will build farmer Groups (FGs) to engage in the marketing and trading of their value added products.

Reporting Lines

The incumbent will mainly work as a lead facilitator in one of the state mentioned above. She/he will work under the leadership of the Project Coordinator (PC) in collaboration with the respective Head of Field Office (HoFO) for the state. In addition, the incumbent will be responsible for coordinating and implementation of project activities working closely with other FAO staff, contracted IPs Government counterparts and other development actors.

Technical Focus

• Provide technical support to FAO Field Office, State Government and IPs in activities of Agricultural Value Chain Development, markets and trade around Aggregation Business Centers (ABCs), Business Producer Associations (BPAs) and Farmer Groups (FGs)
• Lead on ground mapping of the value chains agreed upon with the PC with respect to constraints and opportunities in their supply, production capacity, post-harvest, prices, markets (primary and value added), buyers, regulations and policies.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Lead field based research in the state for agriculture, analysis of figures and information available regarding most suitable functional nodes in the value chains of maize, sesame, sorghum and Ground nuts to build competitiveness of farmers BPAs and ABCs.
• Facilitate discussions and contributions in determining potential Buy-Ins for prospective market buyers and partners that can work with project built farmer vehicles of FGs, BPAs and ABCs.
• In collaboration with the project ABCs, BPAs and farmers facilitate discussion and research in determining the cost effective and appropriate value addition products, technologies and business models for market access
• Liaise with PC towards building a market led model between the BPA and ABCs around value added products and supported by the private sector buyers
• Lead the IPs in determining the feasibility/ Economic viability of proposed value-added enterprises and economic likelihood and their infrastructure enterprises.
• In liaison with the IPs and contracted consultants, oversee implementation of VSL, Financial Literacy and business management training for farmers within their farmer groups, BPAs and ABCs vehicles
• On occasion in liaison with the IPs, participate in developing materials for training and train value addition development and marketing of the products through ABCs and BPAs. This will include sourcing and evaluating business plans for PHH and Value Addition enterprises and implementing the activities
• Support Project Coordinator at state level, in mobilizing stakeholders, farmers and partners for project activities in developing and managing the multi stakeholder platforms.
• In liaison with the HoFO and PC, represent the AMVAT project in forums of the state with key stakeholders.
• Perform any other duties as assigned.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Master’s degree in Agricultural, Agribusiness, Business management and Development Finance;
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in the areas in the area of oil seed or grains value chain, facilitation skill in agribusiness enterprise, market access models;
• Experience in post-harvest handling, value chain development and group marketing;
• At least 2 years field experience in agri- related market research, value chain mapping and building market access farmer models
• Working knowledge of Juba Arabic and any local language for the states are preferable
• A South Sudanese National.

FAO Core Competencies

• Results focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building effective relationships
• Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Oil seed and Grains value chain addition
• Additional knowledge to other value chains like Livestock and fisheries will be an added advantage
• Economic Viability of Agro enterprises
• Building and/or Training in Agribusiness Enterprises, Group Market access models
• Training small holder farmers in VSLA will also an added advantage
• Mobilizing both government and private sector organizations with respect to development initiatives

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
• Incomplete applications will not be considered. If you need help please contact: [email protected]
• Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
• Only language proficiency certificates from UN accredited external providers and/or FAO language official examinations (LPE, ILE, LRT) will be accepted as proof of the level of knowledge of languages indicated in the online applications
• For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/