Agriculture and Agribusiness Specialist

The Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa (RNE) is responsible for leading FAO’s response to regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development through the identification, planning and implementation of FAO’s priority activities in the region. It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, identifies priority areas of action for the Organization in the Region and, in collaboration with departments and divisions at Headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO's strategic response to regional priorities. RNE also advises on the incorporation of regional priorities into the Organization’s Programme of Work and Budget and implements approved programmes and projects in the region, monitors the level of programme implementation and draws attention to problems and deficiencies. RNE develops and maintains relations with region-wide institutions including the Regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs).

The Regional Office supports regional policy dialogue on food security, agriculture and rural development issues, facilitates the emergence of regional partnerships, and supports capacity development and resource mobilization for food security, agriculture and rural development in the region. An important mechanism used for this work is the implementation of donor funded national and regional projects.

Under the overall guidance of RNE’s Regional Strategic Programme Coordinator, the direct supervision of the project’s Lead Technical Officer (LTO), the RNE Agro-Industry Officer, the Agriculture and Agribusiness Specialist will work closely with the FAO Representatives and the projects teams in Near East and North Africa Region.

As part of the RNE team, the Specialist provides technical support for the planning, implementation and monitoring of agriculture and agribusiness projects in the target countries.

Tasks and responsibilities\:

• Research and analyse, in the context of projects needs and priorities, technical, social, economic, environmental, institutional, and technology related information, data and statistics to support the delivery of projects’ products and services;
• Produce in coordination with projects Chief Technical Advisors (CTA) a variety of technical information, data, statistics and reports as well as input for technical documents and web pages;
• Assist and monitor the implementation of projects’ activities envisioning the maximization of benefits and impact for target beneficiaries;
• Provide technical support/analysis to various assessments, value chain studies and initiatives and provide technical backstopping to field projects;
• Provide technical support and follow up the implementation of various projects on horticulture and value chain activities;
• Collaborate in the development of improved/updated tools, systems, processes, and databases;
• Participate on multi-disciplinary teams, and/or leads working groups/teams collaborates with other departments and agencies on work groups and committees and promotes best practices;
• Review projects’ periodical reports and provide technical inputs to improve reporting quality;
• Collaborate with projects CTAs and teams on the provision of technical backstopping and ensures the quality/effectiveness of capacity development activities within projects such as organizational development and individual learning events including preparation of related information, learning materials, on-line tools and delivery of technical topics when necessary;
• Promote knowledge sharing and best practices related to projects activities and support the development of communication materials that increase the visibility of implemented projects;
• Support resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO corporate strategy;
• Provide technical support for the planning and conduction of project value chain studies;
• Provide technical assistance and support required clearance for projects technical specifications, technical evaluations, Letter of Agreements, and terms of references;
• Other related duties as needed.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements\:

• Advanced university degree in agriculture, agronomy, horticulture, business administration or related field;
• Seven years of relevant experience in plant production and agribusiness development;
• Working experience in emergency contexts is an asset;
• Working knowledge of English and Arabic and limited knowledge of French.

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

• Progress and partners’ reports (World Bank SAPREP, ERRY II and the UNOCHA projects in Yemen) finalized;
• Procurement of project items are processed in due time (TSs, TEs, and inspections reports cleared);
• FAO and SFD SAPREP’s horticulture activities are implemented according to plan;
• Different project reports are cleared by LTO and submitted to donors.

Technical/Functional Skills

• Knowledge of the Region is preferable
• Good analytical, research and writing skills