Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Our goal is to achieve food security for all and make sure 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 Ukraine is seeking to increase the resilience of livelihoods to threats and crises that affect agriculture, food and nutrition, focusing on four major areas: – rural economic development – transition to sustainable agriculture and food production practices – adaptation to climate change – humanitarian assistance.

FAO Ukraine is the country office of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, a specialized agency dedicated to achieving food security, reducing rural poverty, and promoting sustainable management of natural resources. FAO Ukraine works in close partnership with the government, civil society organizations, private sector, and other UN agencies to address the diverse challenges and opportunities in the agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and environmental sectors. By providing technical assistance, policy advice, and capacity development support, FAO Ukraine plays a vital role in fostering sustainable agricultural practices, strengthening the resilience of rural communities, and enhancing food security and nutrition across the country.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the DRO/FAO Ukraine Head of Office and the Head of Programme, and the direct supervision of the Project Manager.

Technical Focus

Within FAO’s emergency response programme, and specifically the activities planned under “Component 3: Value Chain Development” and its associated “Outcome 3: Select food value chains are strengthened through improved access to finance, inputs and services to support integration of smallholder farmers into sustainable value chains”, there are two key instruments: (1) a Matching Grant scheme targeting smallholder farmers and small-scale agri-SMEs with investment support in different value chains; and (2) the provision of technical assistance to grant beneficiaries on pre- and post-investment basis in order to ensure that technical, business advisory, and agronomic advice necessary for successful and sustainable investments are catered for. FAO Ukraine is seeking a Field Technical Expert on Vegetables Value Chain to support the project’s team in aspects of verification of grant applications in Vegetables VC, support with consultations and trainings for beneficiaries.

Tasks and responsibilities

Specifically, the incumbent will carry out the following tasks:

•    Prepare all related materials (technical documents, training content, presentations, etc); and deliver, workshops and trainings as planned through the second and third grant cycles;
•    Provide technical support to national grant analysts throughout the application review process (screening, evaluation, follow-up,) of the received proposals for investments in Vegetables VC
•    Provide necessary advice, capacity building and technical support to Vegetables VC actors
•    Conduct field verification visits to the grant program applicants and beneficiaries in Vegetables VC
•    Provide technical guidance to GCP012 projects team as it relates to Vegetables VC
•    Prepare brief monthly progress reports, including the work progress, problems, recommendations and solutions
•    Contribute to required project or FAO Ukraine programme reporting as it relates to Vegetables VC
•    Perform any other tasks as necessary.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements  

•    University degree in Agriculture Science, Agricultural Economics, Agronomy, Social Sciences or related fields
•    At least five years of relevant professional experience, of which three years’ experience on Vegetables value chains.
•    Full proficiency (Level C) in written and spoken English
•    National of Ukraine or resident with a valid work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills 

•    Work experience in NGOs, INGOs, UN or other technical and/or humanitarian assistance organizations.
•    Ability to work under pressure and to carry out several tasks in a timely fashion and under tight deadlines, with minimum supervision.
•    Relevant experience and skills in programme and project implementation, project formulation, analysis and planning.
•    Good understanding of the purpose and functions of technical programmes, UN’s guidelines, and project / programme management procedures.
•    Systematic and efficient approach to work on assignments, good judgment and analytical ability.
•    Direct project implementation experience is an asset.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements