National Value Chain Specialist

Organizational Setting

FAO Mongolia works with the vision \"to be a leading, credible and responsive partner in ensuring food and nutrition security of the population\". The office has been coordinating projects and programmes in research, capacity building, natural resources management, technology transfer, food and agriculture policy, livestock production systems management, emergency and post crisis management, forestry information, statistics, food security and nutrition, emergency response operations, crop production system management, and food quality and safety.

Reporting Lines

The incumbent will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Mongolia will report to the FAO Representative in Mongolia, under the technical supervision of a Lead Technical Officer (LTO) and in collaboration with the STREAM project National Project Manager.

Technical Focus

The technical focus of the position is on inclusive and sustainable value chain development, particularly in the beef, cashmere, and sheep sectors, as well as market analysis and the promotion of sustainable agricultural growth through improved production, processing, and marketing practices.

Tasks and responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative and the direct supervision of National Project Manager (NPM) and technical guidance by FAO-Lead Technical Officer (LTO) in close collaboration with the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry, Local Government, Private companies, the National Value Chain Specialist will be responsible for the implementation of following activities:

Beef Value Chain Development

• Facilitate the linkage between herders/herder groups and beef processors/feedlots, including companies such as large scale feedlot and other private sector actors.

• Support establishment and coordination of contractual and partnership arrangements (e.g. supply agreements, quality-based pricing systems) between herders and buyers.

• Conduct assessments on market demand, grading standards, and processing capacity for beef and beef products.

• Support the introduction of traceability, certification, and quality assurance mechanisms aligned with market requirements.

• Facilitate pilots on climate-smart fattening, feed management, and sustainable pasture use in collaboration with the Livestock Specialist.

Cashmere Value Chain Development

• Focus on marketing, branding, and value addition of high-quality cashmere produced by project-supported herders.

• Support cashmere processing entity in the designing and implementing of marketing strategies, including domestic and export market linkages for fine-quality cashmere.

• Facilitate collaboration with processors, cooperatives, and private sector brands to promote sustainable sourcing and fair-trade mechanisms.

• Support producer cooperatives to improve grading, sorting, and collective marketing capacities. Support the introduction of traceability, certification, and quality assurance mechanisms aligned with market requirements.

• Explore opportunities for geographical indication (GI) or other origin-based branding schemes in collaboration with the project policy specialist and relevant government agencies such as IPOM.

Sheep Value Chain (selective support)

• Identify market opportunities and pilot interventions where fine and semi fine wool sheep-based products (meat, wool, or hides) can be enhanced in line with the project’s sustainability objectives.

• Facilitate inclusion of sheep producers in joint marketing or aggregation activities where feasible.

Cross-cutting Value Chain and Business Development

• Conduct and update value chain analyses for beef, cashmere, and semi fine wool sheep, identifying key market constraints and upgrading opportunities.

• Facilitate multi-stakeholder value chain platforms to strengthen coordination among producers, cooperatives, processors, and policymakers.

• Support business planning, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship training for producer groups and SMEs. Develop pilot models for inclusive, climate-smart business partnerships that ensure equitable benefit sharing and environmental sustainability.

Knowledge and communication support

• Contribute to the formulation of guidelines to improve value chain competitiveness, market transparency, and enabling environment.

• Document success stories, lessons learned, and best practices for dissemination at national and regional levels.

• Provide inputs to communication materials, training manuals, and project knowledge products.

Coordination and Reporting

• Work in close coordination with the Livestock Specialist, policy specialist, Local Coordinators, and other STREAM team members.

• Contribute to work planning, monitoring, and evaluation of value chain-related outputs.

• Prepare progress reports, meeting notes, and technical briefs as required.

• Represent the project in relevant working groups, coordination mechanisms, and stakeholder meetings.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Economics, Business, Agribusiness, Value Chain Development, Agricultural Economics, or a related field;

• Minimum of 7 years of experience in agricultural value chains and agricultural product development

• Excellent knowledge of English. Knowledge of any other UN language would be an advantage

National of Mongolia or resident with a valid work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus

• Teamwork

• Communication

• Building Effective Relationships

• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Proven ability in value chain development, product monitoring, and analysis;

• Proven ability to network sensitively, cooperatively, and productively with multiple stakeholders

• Extensive knowledge on Value Chain management development

• Extensive Knowledge on agribusiness development and market linkages

• Familiarity with and understanding the work of international organizations, regional entities, and national governments.

• Experience working with multiple stakeholders, including government, private sector, and producer groups (optional—add if needed);

• Strong report-writing and documentation skills.

• Strong analytical, coordination, and reporting skills (optional—add if needed).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION