Senior Agribusiness Specialist

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life, leaving no one behind.

FAO is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO's goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 Members (194 countries and the European Union), FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.

FAO Country Offices, working under overall corporate guidance and in line with the Strategic Framework, offer policy advice and support to countries in the mandated areas of FAO, facilitated through partnerships, resources and an active country programme to provide technical assistance, develop capacities and deliver core services while fully observing international standards of accountability to establish leadership and strengthen impact at the country level. 
The offices deliver on the programmatic priorities of each country as agreed in their respective Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs) aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and ensure effective and efficient operations with adequate human and financial resources. 
Specifically, FAO Country Offices: 
•    advocate, inform and support policies and investments in the areas of FAO’s mandate;
•    provide technical assistance and deliver core services; 
•     assist and catalyse partnership and resource mobilization activities to support agrifood systems transformation; 
•    position FAO as the specialized/authoritative technical agency in food and agriculture and agrifood systems transformation; and 
•    ensure risk-smart and accountable operations and management.  

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), under the Green Climate Fund (GCF) project titled “Transforming the Indus Basin with Climate Resilient Agriculture and Water Management,” is committed to enhancing the resilience of agricultural practices in Pakistan's Indus River Basin. This initiative, which is the first FAO-led GCF project in Asia, is designed to address the impacts of climate change on agriculture, water management, and food security, with a particular focus on empowering women and youth through economic opportunities and innovation.

Central to this project is the promotion of gender equality and the economic empowerment of women and youth in rural areas. The project supports the establishment of Farmer Field Schools, which serves as platforms for learning, innovation, and entrepreneurship, enabling male and women farmers to acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to lead climate-resilient agricultural practices. Additionally, the project focuses on fostering youth engagement by creating opportunities for young entrepreneurs to participate in developing skills and knowledge to provide services to the farmers and enhance their access to climate resilient agriculture and on farm water management practices.  
To support these efforts, FAO is seeking an Agribusiness Specialist who will play a key role in guiding farmers groups, including women and youth, in the development of climate-resilient business plans. This includes conducting feasibility studies to ensure the viability of these plans, facilitating access to markets, linking farmers with service providers, and integrating financial services to support sustainable growth. The specialist will also contribute to the creation of innovative solutions that enhance the economic resilience of women and youth, ensuring that they can actively participate in and benefit from sustainable agricultural practices.

The project seeks to recruit an Agribusiness Specialist who will assist in the implementation of components 2 and 3 activities.

The position is at SB4 SC9 level and based in Multan FAO Office but with frequent travel to the project districts in Punjab and Sindh Provinces

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the GCF Technical Advisor, working very closely with International Technical Officers, Provincial Coordinators and Project Sectorial Specialists, the incumbent will undertake the following tasks and duties.

Technical Focus

Provide overall technical support on all aspects of agribusiness and value chain development in the ‘Transforming Indus Basin with Climate Resilient Agriculture and Water Management’ Project.; and 
Provide leadership in the design, development and implementation of activities related to agribusiness and value chains development within  

Tasks and responsibilities

1. Development of Climate-Resilient Business Plans

•    Guide farmers' groups, with a focus on women and youth, in creating business plans tailored to climate-resilient agriculture.
•    Conduct feasibility studies to ensure the economic viability of these business plans, considering local market dynamics, climate impacts, and financial sustainability.
•    Collaborate with Women Open Schools to integrate entrepreneurial training for women, equipping them with the necessary skills to lead and manage climate-smart agricultural enterprises.

2. Market linkages, financial Services, and service provider engagement

•    Provide technical guidance in the design and facilitation of market and micro-finance linkages for farmer groups under the project, in collaboration with various stakeholders, including Government and private sector actors
•    Facilitate connections between farmers' groups and agricultural service providers, ensuring equitable access to inputs, technologies, and support services that enhance productivity and resilience.
•    Conduct market analyses to identify and secure profitable market opportunities for climate-smart agricultural products, with a special focus on empowering women and youth.
•    Identify and engage financial institutions to provide tailored financial services and products that support the business plans of farmers, particularly those led by women and youth. 
•    Prepare reports on the outcomes of the feasibility studies, market analyses and financial services engagement

3. Capacity building and training workshops 
•    Develop and review training materials, information materials, technical papers and guidelines related to agribusiness, value chain and cropping system development
•    Support capacity building activities regarding business development skills, including identification of capacity development needs of farmer groups, farmer facilitators, agrotechnicians through mobilizing support from government departments and relevant stakeholders
•    Provide guidance to FAO project teams to support farmer groups who are oriented towards farming as a business; providing practical tools to ensure the recognition of and support for women and youth farmers as a key and underserved target group in agribusiness.
•    Conduct a series of capacity building activities for GCF team with focus on farmers school facilitators 
•    Conduct a series of capacity building workshops for women and youth, conducted in collaboration with Women Open Schools and other local institutions, to enhance their skills in managing climate-smart agricultural enterprises.

4. Innovation and economic empowerment

•    Develop and implement innovative solutions that promote the economic empowerment of women and youth in agriculture.
•    Collaborate with youth-led enterprises and local innovators to introduce climate-smart technologies and practices that can be scaled across the Indus Basin.
•    Provide ongoing technical support and capacity building for women and youth to ensure their active participation in the agricultural value chain.

5. Monitoring and Reporting

•    Track the progress of the business plans, market linkages, and financial integration, ensuring that they align with the project’s gender and youth empowerment goals.
•    Facilitate the documentation and sharing of lessons learned and good practices contributing to climate change resilience 
•    Gather, synthesise and disseminate key information relating to quality assurance of the good agribusiness practices
•    Develop and review work plans, budgets and procurement plans, working hand in hand with technical officers and District teams. 
•    Represent the project and FAO in relevant technical working groups, forums and meetings.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

 
•    Master’s/Advanced degree in Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics
•    Minimum 8 years working experience working on programmes supporting agriculture and agribusiness among smallholder farmers and farmer groups in Pakistan
•    Working knowledge of English 
•    National of Pakistan

FAO Core Competencies

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

Functional and technical Skills 

•    Knowledge of United Nations and International Organizations’ administrative policies and procedures.
•    Ability to communicate effectively and fluent in English language 
•    Excellent interpersonal skills and to work in a team-oriented multi-cultural environment
•    Respect for gender diversity and social inclusion.
•    Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Selection Criteria

•    Experience working in both public and private sector would be an asset. 
•    Limited knowledge of local languages of Punjab and Sindh could be an asset.
•    Experience in delivering trainings related to field.
•    Proven experience in working with smallholder farmers and rural communities in agribusiness and market linkages
•    Strong analytical skills and experience in conducting market analyses.
•    Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION