Sustainable VC & Post-Harvest Expert (Green Practices & Financing)

Organizational Setting

FAO Country Office in Türkiye is responsible for partnership with and support to the Government of the Republic of Turkiye,
bringing together technical assistance and innovative, international best practices and global normative work standards with
national and regional expertise.

Reporting Lines

The Consultant will work under the overall supervision of the FAOR in Türkiye, and under the technical guidance and supervision of the Project Lead Technical Officer (LTO) and in collaboration with the National Project Coordinator, and relevant technical and programme units of the FAO Representation in Türkiye.  

Technical Focus

Sustainable and green technologies in the olive oil value chain focus on minimizing environmental impact while enhancing quality and efficiency. Sustainable and green practices in post-harvest handling and processing within the olive oil value chain; optimization of value chains for reduced waste and enhanced product quality; strategic planning and investment guidance to support environmentally sound processing practices and technologies.

The main task of the consultant is to support the development of enhanced business models for traders, unions, and cooperatives to transition toward international eco-friendly standards. This work will aim to improve market access, sustainability, and the competitiveness of Türkiye’s green olive oil. The consultant will work under the guidance of the project Lead Technical Officer (LTO) and in close collaboration with national consultants.

Tasks and responsibilities

•     Conduct a rapid assessment of current post-harvest handling and processing practices in the olive oil value chain in Türkiye, as well as in selected benchmark countries that comply with eco-friendly standards and EU Green Deal requirements.
•     Identify key challenges and opportunities for adopting sustainable and green practices to reduce CO₂ emissions, minimize waste, and enhance product quality. 
•     Recommend actionable solutions for upgrading business models, such as transporting olives using electric or biodiesel-powered vehicles, adopting two-phase decanter systems to reduce water use and pollution, applying cold extraction methods to lower energy consumption and preserve oil quality, installing closed-loop water recycling systems and solar-powered mills to improve resource efficiency, valorizing waste (e.g. repurposing olive pomace for bioenergy, compost, or animal feed; reusing treated wastewater for irrigation), using eco-friendly packaging, and deploying nitrogen-flushed storage tanks to reduce spoilage. 
•     Encourage the adoption of environmental certifications such as EU Organic and ISO 14001.
•     Evaluate the financial feasibility of the recommended green investments and propose financing options to support their implementation by targeted olive oil actors (traders, unions, cooperatives, and others).
•     Serve as the Lead Writer for the Olive Oil Value Chain Analysis and Strategy Design (VCA/D), including investment and action plans.
•     Provide technical guidance on value chain optimization, with a focus on greening practices, technologies, and processes, and improving overall efficiency.
•     Support capacity-strengthening efforts by contributing to the design of training modules for stakeholders, with an emphasis on sustainability in post-harvest handling and processing.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•     Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in environmental policy, agricultural economics, food systems, agribusiness, sustainable development, or a related field. A university degree combined with 2 additional years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of an advanced university degree.
•     At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in agrifood value chain development, sustainable post-harvest systems, or green technologies in food processing, preferably in the olive oil sector or similar Mediterranean value chains.
•     Working knowledge of English (level C).

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•     Strong knowledge of international sustainability and environmental standards, including EU Organic, ISO standards, carbon and water footprinting, biodiversity benchmarks, and trade-related sustainability requirements applicable to Mediterranean agri-food products.
•     Solid technical background in sustainable food systems, value chain analysis, and waste reduction strategies.
•     Familiarity with environmental and social impact assessment tools and methodologies.
•     In-depth understanding of socio-economic dynamics and institutional frameworks related to agri-food trade in Europe and the Mediterranean region.
•     Familiarity with EU Green Deal-related certification systems and their application in agri-food value chains.
•     Proficiency in digital tools for reporting, analysis, and presentations, including spreadsheets, databases, and collaborative online platforms.

Selection Criteria

•     Demonstrated expertise in applying eco-friendly standards, circular economy principles, or environmental certifications (e.g., EU Organic, ISO 14001) to agri-processing or agribusiness models.
•     Proven expertise in greening value chains, including eco-certifications, organic certification, and environmental compliance schemes relevant to the olive oil sector or comparable agrifood value chains.
•     Demonstrated experience working in the olive oil sector or with similar Mediterranean commodities.
•     Proven experience in conducting financial analysis of greening technologies in the food processing sector, and in identifying appropriate financing mechanisms to support their adoption by value chain actors.
•     International work experience in multiple countries or regions, ideally involving the Mediterranean olive oil trade.
•     Capacity to plan, coordinate, and implement institutional and technical work across multi-disciplinary teams.
•     Proven track record in managing or contributing to programmes and projects focused on sustainability, particularly in post-harvest handling and processing.
•     Solid knowledge of EU Green Deal and sustainability requirements relevant to agricultural exports.
•     Experience managing or contributing to sustainability-focused projects or programmes involving multi-stakeholder coordination.
•     Involvement in at least one national or regional project/programme focused on sustainable post-harvest practices and value chain optimization in the agri-food sector.
•     Ability to lead comprehensive value chain analyses, strategy development, and preparation of technical reports and investment plans.
•     Excellent advisory, facilitation, and stakeholder engagement skills; ability to work with diverse teams.
•     Proficiency in relevant software and online collaboration tools for data analysis, reporting, and presentations.
•     Knowledge of Turkish or other regional languages is an advantage.
•     Previous work experience in Türkiye or the wider Mediterranean region is an asset.