Agriculture Investment/Financing Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Established in 1945, FAO's mission is 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. With 195 Members, including 194 countries and the European Union, FAO operates in over 130 countries worldwide. The organization focuses on transforming agrifood systems to be more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable, contributing to the 2030 Agenda. FAO Country Offices provide policy advice and technical assistance, ensuring effective operations aligned with international standards and the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework.

Job Overview:
The Agriculture Investment/Financing Specialist will play a crucial role in providing technical and advisory support on agricultural financing, investment planning, and financing readiness. This position aims to enhance access to inclusive, gender-responsive, and climate-resilient financing solutions for local government units (LGUs), cooperatives, small-scale producers, and enterprises. The specialist will be involved in mapping existing agrifood financing schemes, analyzing investment gaps, and developing frameworks that promote gender-inclusive investment. The role requires collaboration with various stakeholders to ensure that financing solutions are aligned with local and national priorities, ultimately contributing to the transformation of agrifood systems in the Philippines.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Agriculture Investment/Financing Specialist include:

• Supporting the mapping of existing agrifood financing schemes, credit products, and de-risking mechanisms.
• Analyzing investment gaps and financing constraints for smallholders, fisherfolk, MSMEs, and women-led enterprises.
• Providing inputs for the development of the Gender-Inclusive Investment and Financing Readiness Framework.
• Offering technical inputs on inclusive, climate-resilient investment and financing models for LGUs and producer groups.
• Integrating investment and financing elements into Agricultural Investment Plans (AIPs), procurement plans, and development plans.
• Mentoring cooperatives, MSMEs, and producer organizations to enhance their bankability and financing readiness.
• Developing training modules on financial literacy and enterprise development.
• Conducting training and coaching sessions.
• Coordinating with financial partners to co-design financial products or de-risking options. 1
• Supporting multi-stakeholder committees in aligning financing with territorial and food systems plans. 1
• Ensuring the inclusion of women, youth, and Indigenous Peoples in financing-related activities. 1
• Providing investment-related inputs for procurement/investment plan reviews and technical toolkits. 1
• Conducting financial capacity assessments within broader participatory assessments. 1
• Collecting and consolidating data on financing access, readiness, and training outcomes. 1
• Preparing technical notes and documentation for FAO and joint progress reports. 1
• Documenting lessons learned, case studies, and good practices on inclusive agrifood financing. 1
• Ensuring that financing solutions adhere to gender, inclusion, safeguards, and Do-No-Harm principles. 1
• Supporting safeguard processes, including Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) when relevant.

Required Qualifications:
The minimum requirements for the position include:

• An advanced university degree in agricultural economics, finance, economics, agribusiness, or related fields.
• At least eight (8) years of relevant experience in agriculture/rural development sectors, program management, capacity building, and coordination with government structures, NGOs, and UN agencies.
• Full proficiency or working knowledge (level C) of English.
• Candidates must be nationals of the Philippines or residents with a valid work permit.

Educational Background:
Candidates are required to have an advanced university degree in fields such as agricultural economics, finance, economics, agribusiness, or other related disciplines. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of agricultural financing and investment planning.

Experience:
The position requires at least eight (8) years of relevant experience in agriculture or rural development sectors. This experience should encompass program management, implementation, capacity building, and coordination with national or regional government structures, NGOs, and private sector entities, as well as UN agencies. The candidate should demonstrate a strong understanding of the agricultural landscape and financing mechanisms.

Languages:
Full proficiency in English is mandatory, while excellent written and oral communication skills in Tagalog are also required. Knowledge of additional languages may be considered an asset, but English and Tagalog are essential for effective communication in this role.

Additional Notes:
This position is home-based, allowing for remote work. Candidates will be assessed against the minimum requirements outlined above. The role is expected to involve collaboration with various stakeholders, including local financial institutions and government agencies, to enhance the effectiveness of financing solutions. The position may also require adherence to specific principles related to gender inclusion and environmental safeguards.