Project Assistant on Youth, Innovation and Business Development

Organizational Setting

The FAO Representation in Sudan provides technical assistance to the Government of Sudan in the agriculture, forestry, fisheries and related sectors. The Project Assistant will support the planning, coordination, implementation and monitoring of Youth, Innovation and Business Development activities of the Norway funded project - GCP/SUD/098/NOR “Sudan smallholders and agro-pastoralist value chain support in the face of climate change. 
This project aims to ensure that smallholder farmers, agro pastoralists and pastoralists are more resilient, more productive, more efficient, and more profitable and food secured using watershed ecosystem management approaches in the face of climate change.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall guidance of the FAO Country Representative and Deputy Representative in Sudan and the direct supervision of the Chief Technical Adviser (CTA), in collaboration with the other Technical Officers, the  Project Assistant (PA) will support the CTA and the Senior Specialist for Business Development in the planning, coordination, implementation and monitoring of Youth, Innovation and Climate-Resilient Business Development activities of the Norway funded project - GCP/SUD/098/NOR “Sudan smallholders and agro-pastoralist value chain support in the face of climate change”.  

Technical Focus 

The PA will provide management support and ensure a good planning, coordination, and implementation of the activities in line with the project result framework

Tasks and responsibilities

The project Assistant will be responsible for the following:
•    Assist the CTA and Senior Specialist for Business Development in identifying, planning, coordination, implementation, and monitoring of youth, innovation and climate resilient business development activities under Norway funded project Result 3 – GCP/SUD/098/NOR: Climate resilient value chain development of key agriculture commodities, access to market and linkages with the private sector are strengthened. This aims to contribute towards creating decent employment and self-employment opportunities in agriculture (on-and off-farm) and agribusiness for youth and women.  
•    Assist in building the capacity of youth (men and women) in climate resilient business development, including conducting feasibility studies, business planning and proposal writing for agro-based enterprises
•    Assist in identifying youth champions along the value chain including service providers like extension service providers, financial service providers, innovations such as mobile technologies, remote-sensing services, block chains, supply chains, e-commerce, satellite imaging 
•    Assist in developing a database of youth entrepreneurs in Agribusiness and related businesses in the project target states (Sennar, Gaderef and White Nile) and support entering of information into digital platform.
•    Support the compilation of information on youth and women's activities in agricultural entrepreneurship and financial service providers and development partners supporting women and youth in the agricultural sector in the target project states.
•    Work closely with FAO technical teams and service providers in development of a digital platform of these entrepreneurs in the three project states. This includes collection and entering any required information/data required (any required information, collection, and data entry)
•    Support development of reports, training materials, communication materials of the project including newsletters, videos, and documentary for the project activities 
•    Undertake any other functions related to the implementation of the project or any other related tasks requested by the FAO Representative and/or Deputy Country Representative

FAO Standards and guidelines:

Liaison with the OCC will be maintained, either directly or through an agreed focal point/coordinator, to ensure compliance with OCC standards, appropriate review and clearance processes. 

All communication materials will follow FAO clearance processes and comply with FAO standards, including: 
FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31: https://www.fao.org/strategic-framework/en   
FAO social media policy and guidelines: https://www.fao.org/2/socialmedia    
Social Media Branding Guidelines: https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb5044en  
FAOSTYLE: https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb8081en  
FAO terminology http://www.fao.org/faoterm  
FAO Names Of Countries https://www.fao.org/nocs/en    
Story guidelines, Story template, UN map standards, FAO logo policy and related branding guidelines (available to staff).  

Further guidance regarding FAO communications, policies and procedures can be found through the FAO intranet, OCC section. 

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    University degree in science, business, agriculture or development related fields
•    3 years of working experience in Project management, Business (supply chain/ block chain or value chain development) and Youth Development in Agriculture/ E-agriculture.
•    Working knowledge of English and Arabic required.
•    National of Sudan.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills 

•    Extent and relevance of experience and knowledge on youth and innovation projects
•    Extent and relevance of experience and Knowledge in supply chain, block chain or value chain management
•    Extent and relevance of experience and knowledge on project coordination, monitoring and management
•    Extent of knowledge and experience on gender issues
•    Writing and communication skills 
•    Ability to manage a high workload, meet tight deadlines and multi-task under pressure 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION