Agrifood value chain development specialist

 Job Description  2300502 Agrifood value chain development specialist 

Job Posting

: 21/Feb/2023

Closure Date

: 08/Mar/2023, 12:59:00 AM

Organizational Unit: FNLEB

Job Type

: Non-staff opportunities

Type of Requisition: PSA (Personal Services Agreement)Grade Level: N/A

Primary Location

: Lebanon-Beirut

Duration: 7 months – 60 days (WAE)Post Number: N/A

FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.

 

• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination　　
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
• FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.

 

Organizational Setting

The Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa (RNE) is responsible for leading FAO’s response to regional priorities (RPs) for (1) rural transformation and inclusive value chains, (2) food security and healthy diets for all, (3) greening agriculture, water, scarcity, and climate action, and (4) building resilience to multiple shocks. It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, identifies priority areas of action for the Organization in the region and, in collaboration with divisions, centres and offices at headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO's strategic response to regional priorities. This assignment falls under the output of the RP (1) and RP (2). 

 

Reporting Lines

The specialist will report to the FAO Representative in Lebanon under the technical supervision of the agro-industry officer in FAO-RNE. Reporting line for day-to-day coordination and deliveries is to the focal point in FAO-LB of FAO’s Initiative: One Country One Product (OCOP).

 

Technical Focus 

The regional project funded under the Technical Cooperation programme (TCP) of FAO, aims at conducting a comprehensive assessment of the SAPs value chains, identifying constraints and leverage points, designing concrete and sustainable interventions and developing a value chain analysis report and upgrading strategy for these products. The upgrading strategy will serve as a guiding document for the countries to identify effective partnerships and resource mobilization opportunities.  
Against this background, the specialist will conduct the assessment of one Field crop value chain as the priority product in Lebanon, closely following the FAO value chain analysis methodology. S/he will provide high-level technical expertise in design and cost-benefit analysis of the interventions which will feed into upgrading strategy for the value chain. S/he will provide technical support to FAO Lebanon in preparation and implementation of national stakeholders' workshops and in briefings the national project steering committee. Using a participatory approach, S/he will write up and finalize the value chain analysis report, value chain upgrading strategy and action plan for one Field crop value chain in Lebanon and validate the results with experts within FAO.

 

Tasks and responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the Lead Technical Officer (LTO) and the with guidance of the FAO Representative in Lebanon, the specialist will work closely with the OCOP focal point in FAO-LB and OCOP National Project Coordinator, in undertaking the following activities:
•    Develop a detailed work plan for undertaking the value chain analysis and development of the abovementioned reports, including milestones, schedule and communication points.
•    Actively participate in the regional capacity building training on implementation of value chain analysis methodology planned by FAO-RNE
•    Conduct reviews of literature/relevant data sources and interviews/consultations with stakeholders/FAO to analyze the one Field crop value chain in Lebanon. The source of information includes but not limited to:
o    Existing target value chain reports, policies, FAO project reports and frameworks in relation to the SAP at country level
o    Literature from academia, international organizations, or local institutions in the country
o    Institutional databases such as World Development Indicators, FAOSTAT, all relevant national databases etc
o    Key informant interviews in the date sectors 
•    Finalize the validated value chain report, upgrading strategy and action plan that fully contribute to objectives of the Regional TCP. The report and document particularly cover the following analyses/points:
o    Value chain report: including stakeholders mapping, interlinkages, end-market analysis, value chain elements analysis, governance analysis, sustainability and resilience assessment, cost-benefit analysis and potential upgrading strategy
o    Action plan: including theory of change, investment plan, budgeting and role of value chain actors (particularly the position and comparative advantage of FAO and other stakeholders)
o    Support development of a project proposal (if applicable): including resource mobilization opportunities with donor and initiatives mapping and communication strategy
•    Provide support in meetings of national steering committee and preparation for workshops at regional and country levels through identifying the relevant stakeholders, preparing technical presentations and documents and draft brief outcome report of the meetings and workshop.
•    Actively share updates of the work and repository of the relevant literatures and data sources with OCOP National Project Coordinator and FAO-LB.
•    Submit an end-of-assignment report in English.

 

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

 

Minimum Requirements    

 

•    Advanced degree in the field of agronomy, agricultural value chain management, agricultural economics, agricultural engineering, food systems, food science and technology or other related discipline or equivalent;         
•    At least ten years (10) of relevant experience in one or more of the following areas: value chain analysis and development, agribusiness and market development, agro-food industry, agricultural marketing;
•    An excellent knowledge of written and spoken English and working knowledge of the local language (Arabic or French);
•    National of Lebanon or resident with work permit.         

 

FAO Core Competencies

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

 

Technical/Functional Skills
 
•    Solid experience in developing upgrading strategies, investment plans and project proposals;           
•    Demonstrated understanding of the selected value chain in each country with particular experiences in working with government institutions and private sector; 
•    Demonstrable experience in analysis of the selected value chain and related sub-sectors is highly desirable;    
•    Experience working in UN agencies is desired and experience in the private sector working at different stages of the agrifood value chain is a plus;
•    Strong analytical and problem-solving skills;
•    Demonstrated organization skills and ability to meet tight deadlines;         
•    Ability to prioritize tasks;           
•    Communication skills;           
•    Ability to work in a harmonious and effective way in a multicultural team;           
•    Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to maintain effective working relationships with supervisors and colleagues.    

 

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 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 or have queries, please contact: Careers@fao.org
• 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 other issues, visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HOW TO APPLY
• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/ 
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.
 

If you need help, or have queries, please contact: Careers@fao.org
 

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