Agribusiness Expert

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Established in 1945, FAO is headquartered in Rome, Italy, and operates in over 130 countries worldwide. The organization aims to achieve security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. FAO's mission is to help eliminate hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition, make agriculture, forestry, and fisheries more productive and sustainable, reduce rural poverty, and enable inclusive and efficient agricultural and food systems. The FAO Subregional Office for the Pacific Islands (SAP) supports member countries in meeting their national priorities in agriculture, fisheries, forestry, agrifood systems, nutrition, and rural development. The office is located in Apia, Samoa, and works with various Pacific nations, including the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, to implement projects that enhance agricultural productivity and food security.

Job Overview:
The Agribusiness Expert will play a crucial role in managing the Agriculture Investment for Markets and Nutrition Project (AIM-N) Technical Assistance (TA) project, which is funded by the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP). This position is vital for ensuring that the project meets its objectives and effectively utilizes its resources to strengthen the capacity of implementing agencies in Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. The expert will oversee the project team based in Honiara and Port Vila, guiding them in achieving the desired outcomes. The role requires a blend of technical expertise in agribusiness, market access, and nutrition-sensitive value chains, along with strong project management skills. The Agribusiness Expert will be responsible for coordinating all technical and managerial aspects of the project, ensuring that the project aligns with the national priorities of the member countries and adheres to FAO's standards and practices.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Agribusiness Expert will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including: planning, managing, and leading a multidisciplinary technical assistance team in Solomon Islands and Vanuatu; organizing participatory meetings with consultants to align their contributions with project objectives; maintaining regular communication with the Government-led AIM-N implementation team to tailor FAO's inputs to their needs; liaising with the International Project Coordinator in Vanuatu for knowledge sharing; developing strong working relationships with technical staff for effective project implementation; overseeing work planning, activity initiation, and budget management in line with AIM-N work plans; guiding the TA team in developing evidence-based strategies and methodologies; collaborating with FAO Representation and other projects for information sharing; representing FAO at national meetings and building partnerships with stakeholders; ensuring compliance with reporting obligations; working closely with the Monitoring and Evaluation Expert to design a robust M&E system; and coordinating with government and IFAD counterparts to align work programs.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in agribusiness, value chain development, agronomy, or a related field. They should have a minimum of ten years of progressively responsible professional experience, including project management in commercial smallholder-based agricultural development and farmer organizations, with some experience in the Pacific Small Island States. A working knowledge of English at level C is mandatory. Candidates should demonstrate results-focused competencies, teamwork, effective communication, relationship building, and knowledge sharing. Additionally, they should have technical skills in project management, familiarity with donor-funded projects, and the ability to work under pressure in diverse cultural settings.

Educational Background:
The position requires an advanced university degree in agribusiness, value chain development, agronomy, or a related subject. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of agricultural systems and the necessary technical knowledge to implement effective agribusiness strategies.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of ten years of progressively responsible professional experience, particularly in project management related to commercial smallholder-based agricultural development and farmer organizations. Experience in the Pacific Small Island States is highly desirable, as it provides context-specific knowledge that is crucial for the successful implementation of the AIM-N project.

Languages:
A working knowledge of English at level C is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages relevant to the region may be considered an asset, enhancing communication with local stakeholders and partners.

Additional Notes:
This position is a full-time role based in Honiara, Solomon Islands, and involves managing a project team across two countries. The contract duration is linked to the project timeline, which spans four years. The role requires a high level of collaboration with various stakeholders, including government institutions, international organizations, and local communities. Compensation and benefits will be aligned with FAO's policies and the specific requirements of the project.