Organizational Setting 

FAO’s Subregional Office for Southern Africa (SFS) is responsible for developing, promoting, overseeing and implementing agreed strategies for addressing subregional food, agriculture and rural development priorities. It develops and maintains relations with subregion-wide institutions including Regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs). The Subregional Office is a subsidiary of FAO’s Regional Office for Africa (RAF). The office provides technical assistance and support to governments and country offices in the sub-region developing policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition while using their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner.

Reporting Lines

Under the general supervision of the FAO Sub-regional Coordinator for Southern Africa (SFS) and the guidance of the Director of the Food Agriculture and Natural Resources Directorate at the SADC Secretariat, the Agribusiness Food Systems Specialist will work under the direct supervision of the STOSAR II Regional Project Coordinator and technical supervision of the SFS Investment Support Officer and Lead Technical Officer. The incumbent will be responsible for the overall coordination, management, and organisation of all project activities for the Agribusiness Component 4 of the Action at regional level and national levels. The Agribusiness Food Systems Specialist will also provide the technical support for agro-processing and value-addition by promoting the development of regional initiatives to deepen investments and trade in targeted broad value chains of horticulture (coffee, citrus, avocados, banana), livestock (beef, goat and poultry) and cereals (maize). These activities will be executed in close consultation with the SADC FANR Senior Programme Officer, as well as respective partners in the relevant SADC Member States Ministries.

Technical Focus

The Agribusiness and Food Systems Specialist will ensure deliverables specific to Component 4 of STOSAR II project are effectively implemented at regional and country levels, through ‘increasing operational capacity of regional and national producers’ organizations and agricultural industrial associations in selected inclusive value chains based on sustainable innovations and agro-ecological principles’, while ensuring key deadlines and milestones are achieved.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Provide the overall management and direction on all aspects of the project implementation on agro-processing and value addition of Component 4 of the project (increasing operational capacity of regional and national producers’ organizations and agricultural industrial associations in selected inclusive value chains based on sustainable innovations and agro-ecological principles), at regional and in SADC countries ensuring deadlines/milestones are achieved
•    Participate in, and eventually lead the implementation support and preparation of final evaluation of investment and finance support solutions for multidisciplinary teams
•    Provide technical expertise for the preparation of food and agriculture, rural development, natural resource management and agro-processing studies and strategies, in the formulation of national sector and/or sub sector investment plans and programmes.
•    Support development of inclusive and sustainable agrifood systems involving producers, their organizations, other private sector actors, and civil society organizations and governments.
•    Formulate and deliver capacity development strategies and activities in the areas of food and agriculture, rural development, natural resource management and agro-processing investment support to government staff, non-state actors and private sector organizations.
•    Prepare documents in accordance with FAO, SADC Secretariat and SADC Governments’, and financing partners’ (EC) requirements.
•    Provide support with the hiring of staff and affiliate workforce.
•    Promote international cooperation and collaboration leading to new investment opportunities and cooperative agreements, advocates best practices and effective policy dialogue and provides technical expertise at international meetings.
•    Establish, promote, and maintain relationships with relevant FAO Technical Units and Decentralized Offices to ensure best synergies between investment, policy and innovation work in support to Member Nations.
•    Participate in resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Corporate Strategy.
•    Ensure mainstreaming of cross cutting issues into the animal health component of the project, including’ Gender, HIV/AIDS, Poverty, Governance, sustainability etc.
•    Facilitate the development and implementation of a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation framework for Component 4 of the project with support from the key project stakeholders and target beneficiaries including ensuring timely reports production and clearance.
•    Monitor potential risks that could constrain project implementation and take timely mitigating action
•    Perform other related duties, as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    Advanced University degree in Economics, Agribusiness, Business Management or related fields.
•    At least 10 years practical experience working with international and regional Institutions in the development and implementation of agribusiness and investment projects in developing countries.
•    Working knowledge (Level C) of English

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•    Experience of development work related to agribusiness in sub-Saharan will be an added advantage.
•    High level of technical proficiency in agribusiness/value chains particularly in agro-processing, value addition, and in setting up and organizing agricultural business clusters and linking them to potential investors
•    Ability to analyze selected agricultural sub sectors and value chains.
•    Ability to assess constraints and opportunities for investment at all levels of selected value chains, in relation to the functionality of markets (including both infrastructure and institutions), private sector engagement, existence and performance of support services, trade policies, risk management systems, as well as food safety standards adoption and control systems, when applicable.
•    Able to identify and analyze agricultural investment-related policy issues and provide agribusiness-related options and solutions.
•    Demonstrable ability to engage with private sector stakeholders, including downstream value chains players, including Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), agribusiness companies, agroindustry associations, and farmers’ organizations, with a view to strengthen and validate recommended investment and policy options.
•    Capability to provide contributions in the development of knowledge products, including analytical work and practical tools, related to agribusiness, marketing and value chain development.
•    Ability to set up functional public private platforms aimed at promoting an enabling environment for investment along the value chain.
•    Excellent communication, written and presentation skills in English
•    Experience with working with SADC Secretariat or REIOs is an added advantage
•    Experience with working with various teams, partners and stakeholders and excellent team player.
•    Strong administrative and organizational skills,
•    Computer literacy

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements