Value Chain, Youth in Agriculture and Agribusiness Development Specialist

Job Description

 1901893

Value Chain, Youth in Agriculture and Agribusiness Development Specialist

Closure Date: 16/Aug/2019, 11:59:00 PM

Organizational Unit: FRNAM

Job Type: Non-staff opportunities

Type of Requisition: PSA (Personal Services Agreement)

Grade Level: N/A

Primary Location: Namibia-Windhoek

Duration: 90 days (WAE basis)

Post Number: N/A

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device

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

Qualified female applicants are encouraged to apply.

People with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply.

All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.

Organizational Setting:

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) together with the Government of the Republic of Namibia is currently implementing the Country Programming Framework (CPF) 2019 – 2023.   The CPF defines the priority areas of focus for the FAO Representation in Namibia for the period 2019 to 2023. The CPF priority areas contribute directly to FAO Strategic Objectives and its three Regional Initiatives for Africa, namely; i) Africa’s Commitment to End Hunger by 2025, ii) Sustainable Production Intensification and Value Chain Development in Africa; and iii) Building Resilience in Africa’s Drylands. In addition, the reviewed FAO Medium Term Plan 2018-2021 and Programme of Work and Budget 2020-2021 highlights the need for FAO to support innovation in agriculture.

The CPF is therefore FAO’s contribution to the four priority areas expressed by the Government in its Fifth National Development Plan (NDP5).

 Reporting Lines:

The consultant will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Namibia and technical oversight of relevant FAO technical units and in close collaboration with the Government focal points in the areas of value chain and agribusiness development and youth in agriculture.

 Technical Focus:

FAO supports the Government of the Republic of Namibia in the development of programmes that will lead to sustainable agricultural production and productivity, food security, nutrition and the eradication of poverty and rural development, and has worked closely with the Government for the past 25 years.

 Tasks and responsibilities:

The overall aim of the assignment is to develop a programme for FAO to support the priorities of the Republic of Namibia as defined in Vision 2030, Harambee Prosperity Plan, NDP5 and other sectoral policies.

Identify and review global and/or regional best practices, lessons learned and innovative approaches for enhancement of participation of youth in agricultural value chains and agribusiness including deep understanding of AfDB and other relevant FAO work, eg. in South Africa, Zambia and Tanzania;

Review and facilitate understanding of FAO Sustainable Food System Africa training materials and other FAO resources, studies and work from the Region.

Review national policies, strategies, incentive frameworks, past and ongoing project and programmes for  participation and involvement of youth in agricultural value chains and agribusiness;

Develop list of relevant partners at regional and national level, including their capacities and work;

Design consultation instruments and checklists and consult with various stakeholders – relevant Offices, Ministries and Agencies (OMAs), Apex bodies, CSOs, farmers unions, private sector, youth organizations, financial institutions, incubation centres, universities, development partners and other UN agencies to understand both, youth in agri-value chains and agribusiness situation in Namibia and their past and present work, including needs for capacity development in regards to the delivery of the potential programme

On the basis of desk reviews and consultative process, design and present initial ideas, conceptual framework and theory of change (including business models, concrete project partners and behaviour change) in a consultative workshop to gather inputs and contributions from key stakeholders on an innovative intervention framework for youth involvement in agricultural value chains and agribusiness;

Develop the ‘Youth In Agricultural Value Chains And Agribusiness Programme’ document outline and submit it to FAO for approval;

Lead the drafting of the innovative ‘Youth In Agricultural Value Chains And Agribusiness Programme’ which will be submitted for comments by relevant different stakeholders; Propose potential donors and innovative resource mobilization strategies;

Interact with relevant FAO technical units to verify appropriateness of the Programme’s Results Matrix (in particular the theory of change, priority areas, outcomes and approaches therein suggested);

Present the programme to FAO and Government for validation, further  inputs and comments;

Finalize the programme document;

For the duration of the assignment, provide technical support to the Representation on issues of value chain and agribusiness development and youth in agriculture.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING:

Minimum Requirements:

Advanced Degree/Diploma in agribusiness, agriculture economics, or any other related field

At least 10 years of experience in value chain facilitation, upgrading and market facilitation, youth and agribusiness development activities

Proven experience with agribusiness value chain development, rural and youth development and agricultural innovation and investment projects Broad experience in farmer production enterprise capacity development, Micro Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) capacity development, farmer market linkages, farmer clustering and farmer organization development ;

Fluency in English language and good writing skills.

National of Namibia or resident in the country with a work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

Results Focus

Teamwork

Communication

Building Effective Relationships

Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

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/ 

HOW TO APPLY

To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. Only applications received through the recruitment portal will be considered.

Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile.

If you need help, or have queries, please contact: Careers@fao.org

FAO IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT