2201846
Technical Adviser (Agribusiness Incubation Expert)
Job Posting: 07/Jul/2022
Closure Date: 28/Jul/2022, 4:59:00 PM
Organizational Unit: Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa (RNE)
Job Type: Staff position
Type of Requisition: Professional Project
Grade Level: P-4
Primary Location: Saudi Arabia-Riyadh
Duration: Fixed-term: one year with possibility of extension
Post Number: 2007419
CCOG Code: 1A11
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are
based on date and time settings of your personal device
The length of appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in
accordance with applicable policies pertaining to the extension of
appointments
- FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-
represented Members and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards
of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
- FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background
checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
• FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may
assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.
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.
Organizational Setting
The Programme Management Unit (PMU) of the FAO-Saudi Technical Cooperation
Programme (2019-2025) facilitates, coordinates and manages all technical and
advisory services to be provided by FAO to the Saudi Ministry of Environment,
Water and Agriculture (MoEWA). The project 'UTF/SAU/051/SAU Strengthening
MoEWA's Capacity to Implement the Sustainable Rural Agricultural Development
Programme' is the first project that has been approved within the framework of
FAO-Saudi Technical Cooperation Programme (2019-2025). The project will
provide technical and advisory assistance to the MoEWA in implementing its
flagship sustainable rural agricultural development programme that has
recently been approved within the context of the National Transformation
Programme of the Saudi Vision 2030. The project expected results will be
achieved through implementation of nine project components: 1) Development of
coffee Arabica production, processing and marketing; 2) Development of
beekeeping and honey production; 3) Development of rose production and trade;
4) Development of sub-tropical fruits production, processing and marketing; 5)
Strengthening capacity of small-scale fishermen and fish farmers; 6)
Strengthening capacity of small-scale livestock herders; 7) Development of
rain-fed cereals production; 8) Enhancing value addition from smallholdings
and rural activities; and 9) Strengthening MoEWA's capacity in sustainable
management of rangelands, forests and natural resources to support rural
livelihoods.
The position is located in the PMU of the FAO-Saudi Technical Cooperation
Programme in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Reporting Lines
The Technical Adviser (Agribusiness Incubation Expert) reports to the Chief
Technical Adviser.
Technical Focus
Capacity development and knowledge management for agri-enterprises and value
chain development.
Key Results
Comprehensive technical and policy expertise to support the planning,
development and implementation of divisional programmes, projects, products
and services in accordance with divisional objectives and the FAO Strategic
Framework.
Key Functions
- Provides technical leadership assistance on the development, implementation and evaluation of assigned programmes/projects; assists in the review of relevant documents and reports; identifies priorities, liaises with relevant parties; identifies follow-up actions.
- Coordinates programme-related activities and reviews the assessments of issues and trends for the implementation of programmes and projects and the preparation of impact evaluation or equivalent studies.
- Supervises preparation of various written outputs, e.g. background papers, analysis, substantial sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications.
- Contributes to consultative and other meetings, conferences, including proposals for agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations.
- Participates in activities such as structuring of training workshops, seminars; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities.
- Leads field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties.
- Provides advice regarding the development of policies and strategies, as well as national protocols and guidelines for projects with specific domains related to FAO's work.
Specific Functions
- Leads comprehensive situation analysis for small and medium scale agribusiness enterprises to give directions to the sustainable development of the sector.
- Assesses the status of rural agribusiness enterprises and local skills available in target commodities and identify its development scope and constraints.
- Undertakes technical capacity needs assessment for small producers, their cooperatives, agri-entrepreneurs, and value chain actors on agribusiness management, and value chain development.
- Undertakes entrepreneurship skills needs assessment for small producers, rural youth and women to start and manage agri-business enterprises.
- Establishes agribusiness incubation programme as a viable mechanism for promotion of small agribusiness entrepreneurship particularly among youth and women.
- Develops commodity/enterprise specific viable business plans for each of the targeted commodities.
- Establishes models for small businesses for the development and dissemination of rural traditional agricultural food enterprises and develops a mentoring programme to promote rural agribusiness and traditional food enterprises.
- Develops agripreneurs models to demonstrate and promote rural youth and women involvement in small agribusinesses.
- Designs and delivers need-based training programme on entrepreneurship agribusiness management, and value chain development for small producers and their cooperatives and other value chain actors including youth and women.
- Identifies and promotes innovative, cost effective technologies for traditional/indigenous agri-food production among productive families and indigenous food producers and facilitates development of infrastructure and logistics needed for production and processing of rural agri-food and traditional commodities.
- Establishes partnership and collaborations to sustainably provide the platform with technologies and practices appropriate for each commodity, small agricultural producers and agribusiness entrepreneurs.
- Contributes to the development of knowledge products and awareness campaigns for promotion of small and medium agribusiness enterprises.
- Assists in preparation of quarterly and semi-annual project component progress reports and identifies lessons learnt, constraints and issues that require timely resolution and corrective actions and presents recommendations for improving the performance.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
- Advanced university degree in agri-business management, agricultural economics, development economics or related field.
- Seven years of relevant experience in agribusiness incubation and value chain development.
- Working knowledge (proficient - level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate - level B) of Arabic.
Competencies
- Results Focus
- Team Work
- Communication
- Building effective relationships
- Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
- Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions.
- Relevance and extent of experience in in technical cooperation related activities, policy advice and analysis relating to food and nutrition security, agriculture and rural development, monitoring and evaluation of policies and programmes.
- Relevance and extent of experience in working with intergovernmental bodies and multidisciplinary teams.
- Demonstrated work experience related to implementation and management of technical assistance for capacity strengthening in the field of agribusiness incubation and value chain development.
- Demonstrated capacity to coordinate country level activities and to organize and lead consultative processes involving several partner institutions and stakeholders.
- Strong project management skills including familiarity with the development of results frameworks, logical framework, project work plans and budget.
- Demonstrated analytical skills and ability to write clear and concise reports is considered a strong asset.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills and working in multicultural environment.
Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to
FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.
GENERAL INFORMATION
* FAO reserves the right not to make an appointment
* Extension of fixed term appointments is based on certification of performance and availability of funds
* Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.
CONDITIONS OF SERVICE
A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For information on
UN salaries, allowances and benefits, click on the following link:
http://www.un.org/Depts/OHRM/salaries_allowances/salary.htm
Other benefits, subject to eligibility, include:
* Dependency allowances
* Rental subsidy
* Education grant for children
* Home leave travel
* 30 working days of annual leave per year
* Pension fund entitlements under the UN Joint Staff Pension Fund
* International health insurance; optional life insurance
* Disability protection
FAO encourages a positive workplace culture to increase inclusivity and
diversity within its workforce. FAO applies measures in which all staff
members contribute equally and in full to the work and development of the
Organization. This includes:
* elements of family-friendly policies
* flexible working arrangements
* standards of conduct
HOW TO APPLY
* To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications and language skills;
* Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile;
* Once your profile is completed, please apply and submit your application;
* Your application will be screened based on the information provided on your online profile;
* 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/
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and
authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work,
character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all
information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications;
• Incomplete applications will not be considered;
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO
and with other companies acting on FAO's behalf to provide employment support
services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background
checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent
before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by
withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to
consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be
considered;
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your
online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline
date.
If you need help, or have queries, please contact: [email protected]
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