National Market Systems Specialist

Organizational Setting

Agrifood systems around the Near East and North Africa (NENA) region are facing multiple challenges such as climate change, hunger and malnutrition, degraded natural resources among others, while at the same time contributing to several of these challenges. Recent geopolitical events have drawn attention to the urgent need to transform agrifood systems in NENA towards more sustainable, inclusive and resilient systems. RNE supports NENA member countries in the transformation of agrifood systems by making food value chains more competitive, sustainable, inclusive and resilient and is the lead technical unit for the MSD project.
The current project “Promoting community-based agrifood market systems for inclusive sustainable rural and territorial development in conflict-prone and conflict-affected contexts in the Near East and North Africa” aims to assess, understand and improve the functioning and performance of agrifood market systems in pilot communities in Syria, Jordan and Lebanon. It will be an entry point to strengthen the resilience of local communities and vulnerable groups by fostering economic empowerment, social cohesion and sustainable use of natural resources while facing protracted crisis.
The project has three outputs: 
Output 1: A methodological guideline for community-based analysis and design of sustainable and resilient agrifood market systems in conflict-prone and conflict-affected context is delivered and implemented.
Output 2: Pilot market innovations (business models, market linkages and reforms of policies, norms and rules) are developed and field-tested for their viability, profitability, inclusiveness and community-based suitability for conflict prone/ conflict-affected contexts.
Output 3: Evidence- and field test-based knowledge products and methodological guidelines ready for dissemination and use in other NENA countries.

In the current assignment the Market Systems Specialist plays a key coordination and technical support role in implementing a community-based market systems development project in conflict-sensitive areas. 

Reporting Lines

The incumbent will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Country Representative, direct supervision of the Resilience and Liaison Officer in FAO-Lebanon, and the technical guidance of the project Lead Technical Officer and Co-LTO (Value Chains and Market Systems Specialist) at RNE, in close coordination with the project team and relevant units at regional and country levels. 

Technical Focus 

The National Specialist will be responsible for the smooth implementation of the MSD project in Lebanon, including coordination with government, national focal points and stakeholders, facilitating the National Task Force, supervising and monitoring the implementation of project activities and LoAs with local service providers. 

Tasks and responsibilities

1.    Liaising and networking
•    Establish and facilitate a participatory governance mechanism (National Task Force);
•    Carry out FAO focal point duties including secretariat responsibilities for the MSD National Task Force and organise National Task Force meetings;
•    Liaise with Government counterparts and other stakeholders on behalf of the MSD project;
•    Organise two national multi-stakeholder workshops to validate the findings of the community-based assessment after year one of the project;
•    Organise a Regional workshop towards the end of the project to share lessons learned and knowledge products from Syria and Jordan on implementing community-based market systems development projects in context sensitive regions.

2.    Contribute towards achieving the project outputs
•    Contribute towards the preparation of the methodology for community-based MSD assessment;
•    Contribute towards training the local service provider on the methodology for community-based MSD assessment;
•    Support the local service provider carry out the community-based MSD assessment in the selected areas of intervention
•    Support the local service provider introduce pilot market innovations;
•    Contribute towards the development of lessons learned and knowledge products.

3.    Project monitoring and quality assurance
•    Establish and implement a MEAL framework;
•    Monitor project progress against the work plan and performance against objectives;
•    Carry out quality assessment of reports prepared by service providers before submission to the the Value Chain & Market Systems Specialist in RNE;
•    Carry out monitoring visits to the target communities.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements  
  
•    Advanced university degree in economics, agribusiness, agricultural development, rural development, or any other related field;
•    Minimum of five years of experience in market systems development (MSD), value chain analysis, or private sector engagement in agriculture or rural development; and in collection and data analysis, monitoring and evaluation related to food systems, food security, climate action, climate adaptation, and mitigation 
•    Working knowledge of English and local Arabic language;
•    National of Lebanon .                  

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills 

•    Solid understanding of Market Systems Development (MSD) principles and approaches, particularly in community-based and inclusive settings.
•    Proven ability to support field-level implementation of assessments, including oversight of data collection, community engagement, and quality assurance;
•    Ability to develop and implement Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) frameworks tailored to MSD interventions;
•    Extent and relevance of experience in stakeholder engagement and relationship management, particularly with public institutions, development partners, and civil society actors.
•    Extent and relevance of experience in conducting training workshops;
•    Extent and relevance of experience in working with UN agencies;
•    Extent and relevance of experience in collaborating with agriculture development project and international and national experts;
•    Extent and relevance of experience in working with Government agencies at the national and regional levels;
•    Familiarity with agriculture and rural development projects is an asset.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION