Organizational Setting

The Gender-responsive Climate-smart Agriculture and Food system in the Caribbean is a 4-year project featuring a collaboration between The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Sub-regional Office for the Caribbean (FAO) and The Global Affairs Canada (GAC).  The project will be implemented by FAO in collaboration with the Ministries of Agriculture in eight Caribbean countries.  The project aims to promote and encourage the use of climate-smart technologies in viable agricultural value chains in Belize, Grenada, Dominica, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Suriname.  It focuses on addressing youth and gender constraints in value chains and building their capacity so that all value chain actors benefit from increased market access and improved livelihoods.

The activities under the project will prioritize the needs of youth, women and producer organizations, ensure equal access to capacity building and training activities, and develop knowledge products that will enhance learning using participatory methods.  Climate smart tools and technologies will also be introduced to improve efficiencies in production, and agro-processing. Market linkages will be promoted through community-based events for farmers and processors connecting buyers both nationally and regionally.

The project’s approach is geared to foster country ownership and to bolster the linkages between farmers, agro-processors and existing public policies and/or interventions at national and regional levels.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of Sub-regional Coordinator and the direct supervision of the Lead Technical Project Coordinator (LTPC), and in close collaboration with the FAO technical implementation team, and national project teams, the incumbent will provide technical and operational support for the timely and efficient implementation of project activities in accordance with FAO rules and procedures.

Technical Focus 

Provide technical support for activities in the following areas:
•    Gender-sensitive climate resilient value chain analysis and implementation of upgrading strategies.
•    Agribusiness development and capacity building for producers and processors
•    Producer group strengthening for improved and efficient participation in value chain development activities.
•    Climate risk assessments using multi-hazard risk analysis at the community and value chain levels.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Gender-sensitive, climate resilient value chain analysis and development of upgrading strategic plans using FAO guides and tools for value chain and producer groups.
•    Capacity building of women and youth in agri-business and financial planning, including coordination of business-to-business events featuring with local buyers, institutions, and/or other markets
•    Development of technical policy briefs to influence national programmes to promote gender-responsive climate-resilient practices in production, agro-processing and marketing for selected value chains.
•    Support the development of knowledge and visibility products featuring national initiatives implemented in the project country.
•    Coordinate capacity building of women and youth in selected agriculture value chains/agribusinesses in the adoption of gender-responsive climate-smart technologies, innovations, and practices, including climate smart tools and technologies in production and agro-processing facilities, and agri-finance that will improve product quality, reduce loss and waste, increase energy efficiency and/or use renewable energy sources.
•    Development of gender-sensitive investment proposals in consultation with producer organizations to strengthen and facilitate access to finance by women and youth.
•    Coordination of the implementation of the use of multi-risk management tools within value chains to improve climate and disaster risk management along the value chain.
•    Support project development and implementation of annual work plans and supporting operational plans including procurement, administration, and communication.
•    Support project data collection, analysis and reporting for monitoring and evaluation of project actions at the national level.
•    Support the development of knowledge products in collaboration with technical teams.
•    Support operations and administrative functions in collaboration with FAO teams.
•    Act as Secretariat for national project steering committee and support the regional project steering committee as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    University Degree in Agriculture, Agricultural Economics, Business development and administration, Project Management or closely related fields
•    At least 5 years of relevant experience in value chain development, economic development and social development strategies for Caribbean countries
•    Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish for Consultants; Working knowledge of English for PSA Subscribers.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills 

•    Additional experience with value chain/agribusiness development, agri-finance in Caribbean countries will be considered an asset.
•    Work experience in more than one location or area of work.
•    Extent and relevance of experience in the agriculture sector in the English-speaking Caribbean
•    Extent and relevance of experience in technical areas value chain development, cold chain management, post-harvest management, marketing and market access of fresh and value-added products, access to finance and finance literacy, alternative livelihoods, climate smart technologies and tools, climate change and disaster risk management tools and strategies in Caribbean countries
•    Ability to plan and organize own work, results-based focused and meet deadlines.
•    Ability to write clear and concise technical documents in English.
•    Ability to effectively work with multi-disciplinary teams.
•    Excellent oral and written communication skills
•    Familiarity with Monitoring, evaluation and learning tools and techniques in the Caribbean.
•    Familiarity with MS Office tools, especially for project management