Agriculture Market Value Chain Specialist

Organizational Setting

The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by FAO Representative, is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, help to develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner. 

The following position is at SB4 SC8 level. This position is based in Quetta, Pakistan.

Pakistan has been experiencing frequent natural disasters and non-coherent economic policies which has affected the overall economy specifically the agriculture sector and livelihood of the people. Outbreak of pandemic and locust attack have damaged agriculture crops and affected the food supply chain in Pakistan. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations is supporting the Government of Pakistan at national and provincial levels through different analytical policy reports on food supply chain, food forecast livestock, forestry, fisheries and climate change. Similarly, a web-based data management system is under development for agriculture, food security and nutrition statistics in Pakistan. Through this system, support Government of Pakistan in monitoring food prices and supply chain through live dashboards will enable better planning and policy making. 

There is currently a team of agronomists, statisticians, economists and policy analysts working on different components to strengthen the food supply chain and enhance the food security in Pakistan. FAO Pakistan seeks a qualified professional with a strong analytical and quantitative capacity to contribute in the “Revival of Balochistan Water Resources Program (RBWRP)” funded by EU. This experience will provide wide scope of work as outlined below: 

Reporting Lines

The Agriculture Market Value Chain Specialist will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative, direct supervision of the Senior Project Officer and in close coordination with concerned FAO colleagues.

Technical Focus

Provide technical backstopping in planning and implementation of activities focusing on capacity strengthening of farmers in surplus produce marketing, storage, transportation, product safety.

Tasks and responsibilities

The Agriculture Market Value Chain Specialist will be responsible for the following actions:
•    Finalize the Agriculture and Livestock value chain analysis reports;
•    Prepare agribusiness plans (horticulture and livestock commodities) for commercial value additions;
•    Establish agri-enterprises by identifying and selecting potential entrepreneurs;
•    Build capacity of smallholders/family farmers on the business skills;
•    Strategize, plan and establish Progressive Farmers Networks (PFNs) in the project areas;
•    Strategize, plan and establish exposure visits to expos, cross provincial and across the districts of Balochistan;
•    Coordinate with stakeholders (e.g. ITC and relevant departments) on the Agriculture Market Information System (AMIS) for smooth transfer and scale up of the system in project target districts;
•    Organize trainings on AMIS for relevant government departments and farmers; 
•    Identify and assess potential beneficiaries/groups (farmer groups for crop and livestock, farmer producer marketing groups) formed under the FAO programs, for their involvement in the training and markets linkage activities; 
•    Develop linkages of farmer produce marketing groups with markets, individuals, and other groups for sale and purchase of agricultural products and value-added agriculture products;
•    Identify and assess potential market actors as beneficiaries (processors, aggregators, storage owners, input suppliers etc.) for their participation in practical training sessions and linkage development meetings;
•    Provide technical backstopping in planning and implementation of activities focusing on capacity strengthening of farmers in surplus produce marketing, storage, transportation, product safety etc.;
•    Provide technical inputs in the design and implementation of training need assessment and training programme targeting farmer produce marketing groups and market actors;
•    Identify and compile recommendations for the capacity development of producers and PMGs/associations to access financial and other services and resources;
•    Build linkages with other development partners/actors/projects in Sindh for synergies and complementarities;
•    Perform other related duties, as assigned by the supervisor.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    Advance university degree in Agriculture (preferably Horticulture), Agriculture Economics/MBA in marketing /Agribusiness/value chain development;
•    8 years of relevant experience in agriculture or livestock related value chain development, market linkages and development of agribusiness plans.
•    Working knowledge of English and local languages of Balochistan;
•    National of Pakistan

Technical Skills

•    Technical experience in development of agriculture related value chains;
•    Experience working with different farmer associations and enterprises; 
•    Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is desirable; 
•    Ability to operate effectively in a team, contributing positively to team operations and working relationships;
•    Knowledge of United Nations and International Organizations’ administrative policies and procedures

FAO Core Competencies

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

Functional Skills

•    Excellent drafting skills and analytical thinking
•    Demonstrated ability to conduct research
•    Demonstrated fluency in written and spoken English
•    Excellent interpersonal skills and to work in a team-oriented multi-cultural environment
•    Willingness to travel
•    Ability to work independently, with initiative and minimal supervision
•    Good knowledge of common administrative and financial rules and regulations
•    Good knowledge of communication and documentation standards 
•    Display initiative and take responsibility for achieving agreed outputs within set deadlines and closely follow-up until successful outputs are achieved. 
•    Continue to seek new, innovative and improved methods and systems for accomplishing the work assigned.
•    Identify and recommend remedial measures to address problems in systems design or implementation
•    Prior experience of working with a UN or INGO is an added advantage.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION