Value Chain Specialist

Overview

Support value chains development and entrepreneurship in agriculture

You have:

• University degree in a discipline relevant to the mandate of the organization and the areas listed above.
• At least five years of relevant professional experience in value chains analysis and development, action research and reporting, agricultural project management in an international development setting, preferably with the UN.
• Working knowledge (level C) of English.
• Knowledge of global issues, trends and constraints in rural development with particular reference to water management, climate change, resilience and livelihoods.
• Very good understanding of the value chain (VC) concept; experience in developing VCs in Bangladesh is preferable.
• Ability to work independently and proceed with objectives of the assignment under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Knowledge of marketing tools and techniques, and practice in designing marketing strategies for the agriculture sector.
• Familiarity with matching grants and their use for rural investments and VC development.
• Excellent writing skills; ability to guide national staff in the process of technical documents development.
• Previous experience in Bangladesh or in the region is required.
• Communicative command of Bangla will be an asset.

Organizational Setting

The FAO Country Office in Bangladesh (FABGD) is responsible for leading FAO's response to country priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development through the identification, planning and implementation of FAO's priority activities in the country. It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, identifies priority areas of action for the Organization in the country and, in collaboration with the Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP), Divisions, Offices and Centres at FAO Headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO's strategic response to these priorities. Through its Country Programming Framework (CPF), the Country Office supports policy dialogue on food security, agriculture and rural development issues, at country level and facilitates the emergence of country partnerships and supports capacity development and resource mobilization for food security, agriculture and rural development in the region.

Project Synopsis

The FAO office in Bangladesh is expected to provide technical assistance to the public sector stakeholder institutions in Bangladesh to facilitate the implementation of the upcoming Diversified Resilient Agriculture for Improved Food and Nutrition Security (RAINS) Project. The overall aim of this project is to provide Technical Assistance (TA) to strengthen the capacity of implementing agencies, especially Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) and Department of Agricultural Marketing (DAM), to successfully implement the project and reach expected results.

Reporting Lines

The Value Chain Specialist will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Bangladesh and the direct supervision of the Senior Technical Advisor, and the lead technical officer in RAP, in close cooperation with the team of project’s specialists and in close consultation with relevant national institutions and stakeholders.

Technical Focus

The Value Chain Specialist will support implementation of the RAINS project, with specific emphasis on value chains development, entrepreneurship and marketing of high value crops.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Analyse project specific requirements and relevant technical issues to provide critical input into the work plans and strategies. • Guide project’s national value chain, entrepreneurship and business development experts in quality development of the implementation approaches, evidence-based strategies and related tools and methodologies. • Provide support to the project Team Leader in analysing value chains activities related to the development of technical standards, instruments, innovation, technical reports, publications and/or ongoing programme development. • Provide strategic advice to the project team members and RAINS implementing agencies in the development and implementation of their project activities. • Provide technical backstopping to ensure the quality and effectiveness of the value chains related capacity development and knowledge sharing activities. • In cooperation with the National Value Chain Expert, develop a detailed plan of action for each of the selected value chains to address key policy, institutional, technology, efficiency of the chain, service provision and issues related to environmental and social problems. • Provide support toIdentify the strategic roles of the private sector in high value crops agriculture and the opportunities for private sector participation in the value chains, making sustainable linkages with producers groups. • Recommend relevant marketing strategies for the HVCs and train the government counterparts in applying them. • Contribute to the annual and six-monthly integrated work plans in his/her area of expertise. • Ensure quality of training and workshops’ materials related to value chain development and entrepreneurship, including the development of curricula and implementation of Training of Trainers (ToTs), refresher courses, FBFSs, market linkage facilitation events/activities, etc. • Carry out any other related tasks as suggested by the Senior Technical Advisor.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in a discipline relevant to the mandate of the organization and the areas listed above: • At least five years of relevant professional experience in the following areas: value chains analysis and development; or/and action research and reporting; or/and agricultural projects development, monitoring/evaluation, reporting and implementation; or/and agricultural project management in an international development setting, preferably with the UN. • Working knowledge (level C) of English.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Knowledge of global issues, trends and constraints in rural development with particular reference to water management, climate change, resilience and livelihoods. • Very good understanding of the value chain (VC) concept; experience in developing VCs in Bangladesh is preferable. • Ability to work independently and proceed with objectives of the assignment work under pressure and meet deadlines. • Knowledge of marketing tools and techniques, and practice in designing marketing strategies for the agriculture sector. • Familiarity with matching grants and their use for rural investments and VC development. • Excellent writing skills; ability to guide national staff in the process of technical documents development. • Previous experience in Bangladesh or in the region is required. • Communicative command of Bangla will be an asset.

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Potential interview questions

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