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.
The FAO Representation on Bangladesh was established in 1978, and since then it supports country’s efforts in agriculture, food, forestry, fisheries, livestock, rural development, and climate change. Bangladesh, home to the world’s most densely populated flood-plain delta, faces fast population growth, dwindling land resources, natural disasters and global climate change, as well as rising prices of food, fuel, and fertilizer. Despite these challenges, the country’s farmers and fishers are remarkably resilient.

The Diversified Resilient Agriculture for Improved Food and Nutrition Security (RAINS) is financed by the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP) and implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture in Bangladesh under the supervision of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), with FAO providing technical assistance. The project contributes to the public investment priority of achieving food and nutrition security resilience of rural households to environmental and economic shocks. Its development objective is to build the sector’s resilience to shocks by supporting households in vulnerable climatic zones to improve nutrition status and increase income through diversified climate and nutrition sensitive production systems and improved off-farm opportunities along value chains.

The position is offered at salary level SC7.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Bangladesh and direct supervision of the Senior Technical Adviser (STA) and in coordination with the International Value Chain Specialist (VCS-I), the Assistant Value Chain Specialist (VCS-A) will provide technical guidance for either establishing new producer organizations (POs) or strengthening existing viable POs formed under the RAINS project.

Technical focus

The FAO TA team has adopted a 5-phase approach, with the following stages:

0 stage: Identification of POs by PMU and FAO
1 stage: SWOT analysis through VC roundtables
Sub-step: Analysis and initial plan
2 stage: PMU and FAO use the analysis to go and help POs prioritize activities
Sub-step: Preparation of Business Plan using RuralInvest
3 stage: Operationalization – Agreeing with POs on what support would be provided
4 stage: Provision of Training and equipment support
Stages 0 and 1 will be completed by January 2026, and VCS-A is expected to support activities from Stage 2 onwards.

Tasks and responsibilities

The incumbent will support the implementation of project activities including (but not limited) to the following:

• Assist the STA and VCS-I in providing strategic, operational and technical advice to the RAINS Project Management Unit (PMU), district offices and upazila in the development and implementation of the project activities tailored to PO needs.
• Build on SWOT analyses from Stage 1 roundtables, with a focus on Opportunities and how to capitalize on them
• Support POs by helping to prioritize activities within respective value chains, building on the strengths of each.
• In cooperation with IFAD and PMU, review and implement findings of existing value chain analysis and intervention strategies for selected agricultural products to capitalize on opportunities and address identified weaknesses and threats.
• Develop a detailed plan for a participatory process for each of the value chains to address key policy, institutional, technology, efficacy of the chain, service provision and issues related to inclusion with relevant stakeholders
• Integrate digital solutions for marketing and support beneficiaries in improving digital literacy for participation in value chains
• Write activity reports and technical documents in English in line with FAO requirements
• Perform other related duties assigned by the STA for the smooth implementation of the project.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in economics, agriculture, agronomy studies, development studies, or related field.
• Minimum 7 years’ of experience in Value Chain and in other relevant areas, including minimum 3 years’ field experience
• Working knowledge of English (level C).
• National of Bangladesh.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Excellent understanding of the Value Chains (VCs) concept and experience in developing value chains in Bangladesh.
• Previous experience in working with the private sector in Bangladesh, specifically in agribusiness and rural development is an asset.
• Knowledge of marketing tools and techniques, and practice in designing marketing strategies for agriculture sector in Bangladesh.
• Experience in designing and delivering training for different types of audiences (e.g. government counterparts, implementation teams)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
• Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/
• For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.