Value Chain Development Specialist

Organizational Setting

FAO opened the Rohingya Refugee Crisis Response Program in early October 2017 with funding from SFERA under Government Bangladesh official authorization and no objection. Since this time the program has grown in scope, supporting both Rohingya refugees in the camps and host communities. FAO has taken on a significant role in the Inter Sectoral Coordination Group (ISCG) structure. Since this time, FAO continues to support both Refugees and host communities adapt to the new context of an extended Refugee Response in Cox’s Bazar district and is in addition providing emergency assistance following natural disasters, following especially Cyclones and Floods and addressing emergency agricultural and livelihoods needs. FAO is leading in several multi-sectoral projects and co-chairs the Food Security Sector the Energy and Environment Network. FAO is also an active member of the Head of Sub-Office level decision making group. 

FAO Cox’s Bazar maintains two primary programme units, the Agricultural Livelihoods Unit and the Natural Resource Management/Disaster Risk Management Unit. Both units are staffed with technical specialist implementing multi-year programming in coordination with government partners, UN agencies, civil society and private sector partners.   While part of the overall emergency response, the FAO Cox’s Bazar programme works across the Humanitarian -Development-Peace Nexus, bridging emergency programmes with development objectives, ensuring all programming contributes to the Government of Bangladesh development priorities and protecting development strategy gains. 

Reporting Lines

The Value Chain Development Specialist will be under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Bangladesh, direct supervision of the Emergency and Resilience Programme Coordinator in Cox’s Bazar and in close collaboration with the National Programme Manager and Operations Specialist.

Technical Focus

This is a SC-8 level position. The incumbent will support the development of agricultural value chains relevant to horticulture, high-value crop production, aquaculture, fisheries, livestock. He/she will work on improving market access for farmers and promoting sustainable livelihoods, ensuring long-term sustainability and resilience for farmers. This position requires a strong background in developing agricultural market systems and value chains to support food security systems, contributing to the stability and availability of food supplies.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Analyse technical and policy issues, strategies and programmes to support the development, competitiveness, inclusiveness and improved impacts of agribusiness, food systems and value chain development.
•    Participate in developing and reviewing information materials, technical papers, and guidelines related to agribusiness, value chains, and food system development, investment strategy development, market and policy analysis, improving business enabling environment, institutional strengthening, contract farming, digital solutions/technologies for value chain development, marketing and market linkages, and public-private partnerships
•    Contribute to the appraisal of capacity needs of beneficiaries and implementing partners related agribusiness and value chain development
•    Contribute to the development and conduct of training materials and courses 
•    Contribute to the collection and dissemination of relevant data and information related to agricultural and development economics, agribusiness, and value chains 
•    Contribute to the organization of and/or participate in meetings, conferences, workshops, consultations and field visits as needed; contribute to building collaborations and partnerships.
•    Perform other related duties, as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements    

•    Advanced university degree in agricultural economics, agribusiness management, rural development or related field.
•    Minimum 7 years of relevant work experiences in value chain development, implementation, quality assurance, monitoring, evaluation and reporting.
•    Working knowledge of English is essential
•    A Bangladeshi national. 

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•    Possess significant experience in value chain development.
•    Possess strong analytical and reporting skills.
•    Possess strong skills on conducting trainings,
•    Strong in capacity building, sustainable agriculture, and livelihoods resilience programming
•    Understands project designing and implementation
•    Possess deep understanding of the ongoing emergency response and relevant stakeholders, including UN agencies, government and donors.

Selection Criteria

•    Previous experience to work with UN agency/International Organization is an asset

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION