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FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.

• 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 person 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.

Organizational Setting

FAO India is implementing multiple projects across several states to improve livelihoods through more diversified, efficient, and higher value agricultural and livestock production. These projects aim to strengthen high potential agricultural value chains at the national and regional level to improve farmer livelihoods, increase food security, and contribute to the reduction in national food import bills. FAO is seeking an agriculture finance specialist to be part of a team working across different areas of the value chain, from production to post-harvest, value addition, marketing, and trade. Her/his primary role will be to collaborate with farmers, companies, lenders, and investors in the creation/adaptation of finance mechanisms that support farmers in the transition to high potential national value chains. This work will include development of costs of production analyses for farmers, government and service providers, and business investment profiles for lenders and investors, raising visibility and commitments to value chain finance, and, where possible, catalyzing the creation of new mechanisms and disbursements of capital.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in India (FAOR) and the Assistant FAOR Representative (Programme) and guidance of the Project Managers of FAO India Projects, the Agribusiness Specialist will support development of value chains in the specific project landscapes. This includes coordinating with other departments of the state government that have a mandate for value chain development including the Department of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Fisheries, etc. The locally sustainable value chain should be developed in close coordination with these departments as well as with private enterprises.

Technical Focus

Expertise in agricultural economics, agribusiness management or a closely related field.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Compile, analyse, synthesize, and package green value chain /agri-business product case information for target audiences (farmers, processors, financial institutions).
• Propose and develop targeted business models, assess financial and operational feasibility, guide business development options and develop relevant business risk mitigation options.
• Support the states in Identification and screening of agricultural sector stakeholders, financial institutions, private sector, development banks and investors to converge financing and investment in targeted value chains and agribusinesses.
Undertake field visits to gather data and intelligence to prepare and validate business profiles for investment.
• Develop training content and pedagogical tools for potential Agri-entrepreneurs and orientation of business development service providers.
• Identify pathways for accessing blended finance, broadened partnerships, Technical Assistance by promoting platform responsible for defining investment in agribusinesses by aligning with key stakeholders/players.
• Ensure the integration of FAO ESS management framework in the Agribusiness cases.
• Secure relevant inputs to strengthen and ensure relationships with target public institutions including market agencies, export promotion agencies, financial intermediaries, apex cooperatives, development and investment agencies/banks to support the adoption of the business model.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Masters in agricultural economics, agribusiness management or a closely related field.
• At least five years of work experience in sustainable agricultural and Agri value chains or related fields with recognized technical expertise.
• Working knowledge of English and Hindi (both written and spoken).
• National of India or a resident with valid work permit

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• At least five years of practical experience in the field of agriculture and rural development, working with local agriculture-dependent communities and development of enterprise support institutions.
• Strong coordination/organization/networking skills and experience in coordinating expert teams.
• Experience with value chain analysis in India.
• Experience in conducting agricultural/rural sector/subsector analytical studies.
• Experience in planning, design, supervision of agricultural and rural investment operations, including elaboration of agribusiness investment feasibility studies/food chain analyses/agricultural market studies in India.
• Experience in use of FAO’s tool for small holder business development – Rural Invest.
• Experience working with or in international non-governmental and donor organizations (UN agencies, World Bank, IFAD, Asian Development Bank, etc.) with implementation of participatory projects.
• Outstanding inter-cultural communication, networking and coordination skills.
• Good analytical and report writing skills.
• Excellent knowledge of English language with strong oral, written and presentation skills and knowledge of local language will be an asset.

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing).
• Incomplete applications will not be considered. If you need help or have queries, please contact: Careers@fao.org
• Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted.
• Only language proficiency certificates from UN accredited external providers and/or FAO language official examinations (LPE, ILE, LRT) will be accepted as proof of the level of knowledge of languages indicated in the online applications.
• For other issues, 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.

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
• 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 create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance: https://fao.service-now.com/csp

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