Agribusiness Specialist

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), under the Green Climate Fund (GCF) project titled “Transforming the Indus Basin with Climate Resilient Agriculture and Water Management,” is committed to enhancing the resilience of agricultural practices in Pakistan's Indus River Basin. This initiative, which is the first FAO-led GCF project in Asia, is designed to address the impacts of climate change on agriculture, water management, and food security, with a particular focus on empowering women and youth through economic opportunities and innovation.

Central to this project is the promotion of gender equality and the economic empowerment of women and youth in rural areas. The project supports the establishment of Women Open Schools, which serves as platforms for learning, innovation, and entrepreneurship, enabling women farmers to acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to lead climate-resilient agricultural practices. Additionally, the project focuses on fostering youth engagement by creating opportunities for young entrepreneurs to participate in developing and implementing climate-smart agricultural business plans.
To support these efforts, FAO is seeking an Agribusiness Specialist who will play a key role in guiding farmers groups, with an emphasis on women and youth, in the development of climate-resilient business plans. This includes conducting feasibility studies to ensure the viability of these plans, facilitating access to markets, linking farmers with service providers, and integrating financial services to support sustainable growth. The specialist will also contribute to the creation of innovative solutions that enhance the economic resilience of women and youth, ensuring that they can actively participate in and benefit from sustainable agricultural practices.

This assignment will also promote gender equality and youth empowerment in Pakistan's Indus River Basin. Through this role, the Agribusiness Specialist will help to transform the agricultural landscape by integrating climate resilience with inclusive economic development.

The project seeks to recruit an Agribusiness Specialist who will assist in the implementation of component 2 and 3 activities.

The position is at SB4 SC8 level.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the GCF Technical Advisor, working very closely with International Technical Officers, Provincial Coordinators, National Farmer Field School Specialist, Training Specialist. the incumbent will report to the lead of component three and will undertake the following tasks and duties.

Technical Focus

Ensure timely delivery of all activities/issues related to gender, the project gender action plan, food security and livelihoods in the ‘Transforming Indus Basin with Climate Resilient Agriculture and Water Management’ Project.

Tasks and responsibilities

1. Development of Climate-Resilient Business Plans
• Guide farmers' groups, with a focus on women and youth, in creating business plans tailored to climate-resilient agriculture.
• Conduct feasibility studies to ensure the economic viability of these business plans, considering local market dynamics, climate impacts, and financial sustainability.
• Collaborate with Women Open Schools to integrate entrepreneurial training for women, equipping them with the necessary skills to lead and manage climate-smart agricultural enterprises.

2. Market linkages, financial Services, and service provider engagement
• Facilitate connections between farmers' groups and agricultural service providers, ensuring equitable access to inputs, technologies, and support services that enhance productivity and resilience.
• Conduct market analyses to identify and secure profitable market opportunities for climate-smart agricultural products, with a special focus on empowering women and youth.
• Identify and engage financial institutions to provide tailored financial services and products that support the business plans of farmers, particularly those led by women and youth.

3. Capacity building workshops
• Conduct a series of capacity building activities for GCF team with focus on farmers school facilitators
• Conduct a series of capacity building workshops for women and youth, conducted in collaboration with Women Open Schools and other local institutions, to enhance their skills in managing climate-smart agricultural enterprises.

4. Innovation and economic empowerment
• Support the development and implementation of innovative solutions that promote the economic empowerment of women and youth in agriculture.
• Collaborate with youth-led enterprises and local innovators to introduce climate-smart technologies and practices that can be scaled across the Indus Basin.
• Provide ongoing technical support and capacity building for women and youth to ensure their active participation in the agricultural value chain.

5. Monitoring and Reporting
• Track the progress of the business plans, market linkages, and financial integration, ensuring that they align with the project’s gender and youth empowerment goals.
• Prepare regular reports on the outcomes of the feasibility studies, market analyses, financial services engagement, and other related activities, highlighting successes, challenges, and lessons learned.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Master’s/Advanced degree in Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics, Rural Development, or a related field
• At least 7 years of experience in agribusiness development, with a focus on climate resilience and market linkages
• Working knowledge of English
• National of Pakistan

FAO Core Competencies

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

Functional and technical Skills

• Knowledge of United Nations and International Organizations’ administrative policies and procedures.
• Ability to communicate effectively and fluent in English langue
• Excellent interpersonal skills and to work in a team-oriented multi-cultural environment
• Respect for gender diversity and social inclusion.
• Good knowledge of communication and documentation standards

Selection Criteria

• Limited knowledge of local languages of Punjab and Sindh could be an asset.
• Experience in delivering trainings related to field.
• Proven experience in working with smallholder farmers and rural communities.
• Strong analytical skills and experience in conducting market analyses.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION