Agribusiness Development and Marketing Specialist

Duration: 9 months (with 3 months probationary period)

Organizational Setting

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.

FAO is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO's goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure 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 Country Offices, working under overall corporate guidance and in line with the Strategic Framework, offer policy advice and support to countries in the mandated areas of FAO, facilitated through partnerships, resources and an active country programme to provide technical assistance, develop capacities and deliver core services while fully observing international standards of accountability to establish leadership and strengthen impact at the country level.

The offices deliver on the programmatic priorities of each country as agreed in their respective Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs) aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and ensure effective and efficient operations with adequate human and financial resources.

Specifically, FAO Country Offices:

· advocate, inform and support policies and investments in the areas of FAO’s mandate;
· provide technical assistance and deliver core services;
i. assist and catalyse partnership and resource mobilization activities to support agrifood systems transformation;
ii. position FAO as the specialized/authoritative technical agency in food and agriculture and agrifood systems transformation; and
iii. ensure risk-smart and accountable operations and management.

For more than four decades, FAO has been working with the Government of the Philippines, civil society, community-based organizations, the academe and the private sector to address challenges in the agriculture, fisheries and forestry sector. Joint efforts have included increasing sustainability in agricultural production, promoting value-adding practices, mechanization and modernization through improving post-harvest management, enhancing productivity and increasing the resilience of agriculture-based livelihoods to natural disasters, climatic hazards and armed conflict.

The position will be assigned in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan Province, with field missions within the province.

Reporting Lines

The Agribusiness Development and Marketing Specialist will be under the direct supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative (Programme) and in close collaboration with the Project Team Coordinator, Programme Management Specialist and Grants Management and Cash Specialist.

Technical Focus

The Agribusiness Development and Marketing Specialist will provide technical support to the overall implementation of the project, with particular focus on livelihoods restoration and diversification. The technical focus of the assignment will include beneficiary and organization profiling, market analysis, capacity development, food processing, product development, branding and marketing, preparation of simple business plans, establishment of market linkages, monitoring of livelihood grants and start-up support, coordination with financial service and insurance providers, and documentation of good practices and lessons learned to support sustainable enterprise development among farmers, fisherfolk and women-led organizations.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Develop and implement tools for profiling and validating beneficiaries, Women-Led Organizations (WLOs), to ensure that small farmers, fisherfolk, and WLOs most affected by disasters are accurately identified, with special attention to gender and social inclusion.
• Conduct focused market and value chain analyses for selected priority agricultural and fishery commodities identified in the livelihood proposals, using relevant existing value chain studies conducted by PRDP and other institutions in Cagayan Province. The analyses will assess market demand and identify opportunities for value addition and sustainable enterprise development.
• Lead training needs assessments to identify gaps in technical, business, and marketing skills among farmers, fisherfolk, and women’s groups, ensuring that all capacity-building efforts are relevant and responsive to the needs of the beneficiaries.
• Design and facilitate training sessions focused on climate-smart agriculture, improved aquaculture practices, food processing, product development, branding, and marketing to build the capacity of farmers, fisherfolk, and women entrepreneurs.
• Assist community-based organizations (women-led, cooperatives, associations) in developing sound and simple business plans that cover product development, market access, financial analysis, and sustainability strategies to support alternative livelihoods.
• Support the development and improvement of value-added products by guiding producers on quality control, innovative packaging, and branding to help them meet market standards and attract consumers.
• Establish and strengthen market linkages by connecting local producers with buyers, traders, cooperatives, and digital platforms, while also facilitating participation in cross learning/benchmarking activities, trade fairs and collective marketing initiatives.
• Monitor the use and impact of livelihood grants and startup support by ensuring that recipients apply the resources effectively toward productive activities and by identifying areas for additional support or improvement.
• Coordinate with microfinance institutions and insurance providers to support farmers and fisherfolk in accessing affordable financial services and agricultural insurance, helping them manage risks and improve financial resilience.
• Document good practices, success stories, and lessons learned throughout the implementation of agribusiness interventions and share these insights with project partners to promote learning and replication.
• Perform any other related duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING:

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in the field of Agribusiness, Agricultural, Economics, Business Management or Marketing.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in practical field experience in agricultural projects, agri-enterprise, value chains, or rural entrepreneurship
• Full proficiency / working knowledge (level C) of English
• A national of the Philippines or resident of the country with a valid work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

· Ability to work under pressure and adapt to an evolving and complex humanitarian context and within multidisciplinary and different cultural background teams
· Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Filipino.
· General knowledge and skills in the use of standard software, such as MS Office (Word, Excel, Power Point)

Selection Criteria

• Willingness to travel to project sites as required.
• Working knowledge of relevant local dialects is an advantage.

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.