Technical Adviser (Climate Resilient Agri-Business Model)

Organizational Setting

 
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger and malnutrition. The main aim of the FAO Country Offices, which are headed by an FAO Representative, is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner.

FAO Kenya Representative recently funded by Green Climate Fund (GCF) titled “Transforming Livelihoods through Climate Resilient, Low Carbon, Sustainable Agricultural Value Chains in the Lake Region Economic Bloc''  'GCP/KEN/116/GCF' aims to transform six key value chains (dairy, poultry, coffee, tea, fruit trees, and African leafy vegetables) to improve food security, enhance climate resilience, and foster profitable climate-smart businesses. Specific objectives are:

•         Transfer and upscaling of climate-resilient, low-emission technologies across all production stages (farming to consumption).

•         Directly benefitting over 63,000 smallholders through FAO-led farmer field schools and another 80,000 through cooperatives, incorporating gender-sensitive support.

•         Creating up to 3,000 jobs.

Developing replicable models for other regions, ensuring lasting impacts beyond the project timeframe.

The position is located in the FAO Representation in Nairobi, Kenya.
 

Reporting Lines

The Technical Adviser (Climate Resilient Agri-Business Model) will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Kenya and the technical guidance of the Lead Technical Officers from the Sub-regional office of Eastern Africa

Technical Focus

The Technical Advisor (TA) (Climate Resilient Agri-Business Model) will ensure the effective implementation of the 'Transforming Livelihoods through Climate Resilient, Low Carbon, Sustainable Agricultural Value Chains in the Lake Region Economic Bloc' 'GCP/KEN/116/GCF' accordance with project document and implementation plan, optimizing the use of project resources and inputs to achieve project objectives especially on Component 4 of the project. The Technical Advisor (TA) (Climate Resilient Agri-Business Model) will technically advise and guide the Program Coordinator and other national and international consultants on project implementation. A strong understanding of climate-smart agriculture, value chain development, agroforestry production system and gender-sensitive approaches in the Kenyan context is required.

Key Results

Comprehensive technical and policy expertise to support technical cooperation-related programmes, projects, products and services in accordance with the FAO Strategic Framework.

Key Functions

• Leads the development, implementation and evaluation of assigned technical cooperation-related programmes/projects; reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies priorities, liaises with relevant parties; identifies follow-up actions.
• Coordinates technical cooperation activities and programme-related activities, reviews the assessments of issues and trends for their implementation and leads the preparation of impact evaluation or equivalent studies.
• Supervises preparation of various written outputs, e.g. background papers, analyses, substantial sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications.
• Contributes to consultative and other meetings, conferences, including proposals for agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations.
• Participates in activities such as structuring of training workshops, seminars; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities.
• Leads field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties.
• Provides advice regarding the development of policies and strategies related to technical cooperation, as well as regional, subregional and national protocols and guidelines for projects with specific domains related to FAO's work.

   

  Specific Functions

  • Provides technical oversight for project implementation, ensuring alignment with GCF requirements, FAO standards, and national strategies, with a focus on promoting climate-resilient, low-carbon practices within agricultural value chains.
  • Facilitates coordination among key stakeholders (government, private sector, operational partners) to strengthen climate-resilient agribusiness and market linkages for project commodities.
  • Develops and implements robust monitoring, evaluation, and financial management systems to ensure accountability, transparency, and data-driven decision-making, including benchmarking the quality, grading, and pricing of climate-resilient, low-carbon produce to enhance value chain competitiveness.
  • Oversees knowledge sharing and reporting processes, supports the preparation of targeted information products and awareness campaigns for aggregators and buyers, leads all inception activities, and provides on-demand technical assistance and business mentoring to cooperatives to facilitate sales agreements and market access.

     

    CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

     

    Minimum Requirements

    • Advanced university degree in agricultural economics, development economics, rural sociology, food security, nutrition, sustainable agriculture (including livestock, forestry and fisheries), or related field.
    • Seven years of relevant experience in technical cooperation related activities, policy advice and analysis relating to food and nutrition security, agriculture and rural development, monitoring and evaluation of policies and programmes.
    • Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

       

      Competencies

      • Results Focus
      • Teamwork
      • Communication
      • Building effective relationships
      • Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

         

        Technical/Functional Skills

        • Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions.
        • Relevance and extent of experience in technical cooperation related activities, policy advice and analysis relating to food and nutrition security, agriculture and rural development, monitoring and evaluation of policies and programmes.
        • Relevance and extent of experience in working with inter-governmental bodies and multidisciplinary teams.
        • Demonstrated expertise in climate-smart agriculture, value chain development, capacity building, and monitoring and evaluation.
        • In-depth knowledge of FAO's contractual agreements, including Operational Partners Implementation Modality (OPIM).
        • Comprehensive understanding of GCF's reporting and monitoring requirements and procedures.
        • Deep knowledge in Farmers Field School modality.
        • Significant experience in Kenya's agricultural sector, with a strong grasp of Kenyan agricultural policies and the institutional landscape.
        • Excellent communication, interpersonal, and teamwork skills, with the ability to work effectively in a multicultural and multi-stakeholder environment.