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:
(i)    advocate, inform and support policies and investments in the areas of FAO’s mandate;
(ii)    provide technical assistance and deliver core services;
(iii)    assist and catalyse partnership and resource mobilization activities to support agrifood systems transformation;
(iv)    position FAO as the specialized/authoritative technical agency in food and agriculture and agrifood systems transformation; and
(v)    ensure risk-smart and accountable operations and management.

The project Strengthening value chains and enhancing market linkages for high-value mountain products that the consultant will be supporting aims to promote resilient mountain livelihoods by improving production and market access for high-value mountain products. Through this initiative, two promising mountain products will be selected for expansion and market linkages. The consultant will support the identification, assessment, and capacity-building efforts for local producers and stakeholders to develop viable value chains and establish market connections.

The National Specialist will work together with the International Consultant in mapping and assessing potential high-value mountain products for value chain development, bringing expertise in organic agriculture, market research, and value chain analysis. They will collaborate on developing strategies to improve production practices, packaging, branding, and marketing, while assisting in capacity-building efforts for local producers and stakeholders to enhance market linkages, strengthen business management, and establish a Participatory Guarantee System to ensure quality standards and sustainability.

Reporting Lines

Under the direct supervision FAO Representative, and in close consultation with the Country Programme team and the International Expert, with technical guidance of Lead technical officer FAO RAP will undertake the following tasks:

Technical Focus

•    Value Chain Analysis: Identifying and assessing the value chains for high-value mountain products, including barriers and opportunities for development.
•    Market Linkages: Developing strategies to connect producers with markets and improve product penetration.
•    Participatory Guarantee System (PGS): Assessing the readiness of producer organizations to establish PGS and facilitating their accreditation with the Mountain Partnership Products (MPP) initiative.
•    Business/Investment Plan Development: Assisting in drafting business plans for selected mountain products, enabling producers to control processing and commercialization activities.

Tasks and responsibilities

The National Value Chain Specialist for Mountain Products will be responsible for the following tasks:

Output 1: Assessment of High-Value Mountain Products
1.    Mapping and Scoping of Potential Value Chains
•    Work with the International Consultant to identify potential value chains for high-value mountain products.
•    Assist in developing selection criteria for products and producer organizations to be involved in the project, starting from the selection criteria for the Mountain Partnership Products Initiative.
•    Conduct detailed assessments in selected high-mountain districts, identifying barriers and opportunities for value chain development.
•    Assess the readiness of producer organizations to establish a Participatory Guarantee System (PGS).
2.    Preparation of Assessment Report
•    Contribute to a comprehensive report outlining findings and recommendations for value chain development.
•    Assist in the internal review for selecting two promising high-value mountain products.
•    Assist in the selection of two promising producers organizations dealing with two selected high value mountain products.

Output 2: Value Chain and Market Connections Development
1.    Development of Business/Investment Plans
•    Assist in conducting assessment of the selected producers organizations.
•    Assist in conducting assessments of selected high value mountain products and mapping stakeholders involved in the value chains.
•    Help organize training programs for local producers and stakeholders on improved production practices, processing, branding, and the PGS.
•    Support producers in the process of accreditation to the Mountain Partnership Products (MPP) initiative.
•    Draft business plans for selected high value mountain products, with an emphasis on enabling producer institutions to add value to their raw materials, controlling the processing and commercialization activities.
2.    Rolling Out Business Plans and Building Market Linkages
•    Assist in developing and implementing marketing strategies to improve product penetration in local and national markets.
•    Help identify financial institutions and facilitate access to credit for producer organizations.
•    Support stakeholder meetings and dialogues to connect local producers with traders, retailers, and export agencies.

Output 3: Knowledge Products Development and Dissemination
1.    Production and Dissemination of Information and Best Practices
•    Assist in documenting and sharing best practices, lessons learned, and success stories from project interventions.
•    Help develop promotional materials highlighting the peculiarities of selected high-value mountain products.
•    Support the organization of knowledge-sharing visits for stakeholders to similar project sites.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements  

•    Master’s degree in agriculture, economics, market research, or a related field.
•    At least 5 years of experience in value chain analysis, market linkages, and organic agriculture
•    Working knowledge of Nepali and English
•    National of Nepal or reseident in the country with a valid work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•    Experience working with mountain communities and high-value products is an asset.
•    Experience or knowledge of the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) is an asset.
•    Strong analytical and report-writing skills.
•    Proven ability to work with diverse stakeholders, including government bodies, producer organizations, and private sector entities.
•    Proven track record of advising and collaborating with government institutions, private sector entities, stakeholders, and community-based organizations (CBOs).

Selection Criteria 

•    Extent of relevant technical experience in the areas related.
•    Ability to manage and work with a multidisciplinary and multicultural team.
•    Proven experience in the areas mentioned above.
•    Strong work ethic, well-organized, result-focused, good team player and dynamic personality.
•    Previous experience of working with UN agencies is an asset.
•    Proven writing and reporting skills.
•    Ability to operate under pressure and good interpersonal skills.
•    Proven track record of leading and facilitating related trainings and collaborating with government institutions and CBOs.
•    Strong inter-personal skills to work with a diverse and large stakeholders and excellent oral communication skills.
•    Knowledge of Computer skills in MS office package (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)