International Consultant on Agricultural Investment

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Established in 1945, FAO has over 194 member countries and works in more than 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 support the transformation to more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems, contributing to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Job Overview:
The position of International Consultant on Agricultural Investment is crucial for supporting the Food and Agriculture Organization's mission in the Asia and Pacific region. The consultant will play a key role in advancing inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems transformation by providing technical expertise in investment prioritization and the identification of public and private investment opportunities in the agrifood sector. The consultant will be responsible for preparing agricultural investment projects, notes, and proposals, applying innovative financing approaches, and integrating financial, environmental, and climate considerations into investment planning and project design. This role requires collaboration with various stakeholders, including government teams and national consultants, to ensure that investment opportunities are effectively identified and developed.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the International Consultant on Agricultural Investment include reviewing national strategies and sector policies to inform investment prioritization, conducting investment opportunity mapping and rapid assessments, providing technical inputs to agricultural investment notes and project proposals, advising on financing structures, and contributing to capacity-building activities. The consultant will also prepare technical notes, briefing materials, and end-of-assignment reports, ensuring that all outputs meet the required quality standards. Additionally, the consultant will provide technical backstopping and quality assurance to national consultants and government teams, facilitating investment dialogues and training workshops.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in agricultural economics, development finance, agribusiness, or a related field from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO. Those with a bachelor's degree must have two additional years of relevant professional experience. A minimum of one year of relevant professional experience for category C or five years for category B in agricultural or agrifood investment, project preparation, financing, or related analytical work is required. Working knowledge of English is mandatory, and knowledge of additional FAO languages is considered a strong asset.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree in a relevant field such as agricultural economics, development finance, or agribusiness. Candidates with a bachelor's degree must have additional professional experience to qualify. The degree must be from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO, ensuring that the educational qualifications meet international standards.

Experience:
The level of experience required for this position includes at least one year of relevant professional experience for category C or five years for category B in areas related to agricultural or agrifood investment, project preparation, financing, or analytical work. Experience working with governments, international organizations, development finance institutions (DFIs), or the private sector is desirable, as is familiarity with the Asia and Pacific region. Candidates should also have experience or exposure to blended finance and innovative financing mechanisms, which are considered assets for this role.

Languages:
A working knowledge of English is required for this position. Knowledge of additional FAO languages is considered a strong asset, enhancing the candidate's ability to communicate and collaborate effectively in a diverse international environment.

Additional Notes:
This position is likely to be a consultancy role, which may involve a contract duration that is project-specific. The seniority level is categorized based on the experience of the candidate, with different expectations for categories B and C. The role may be full-time or part-time depending on the specific needs of the FAO and the projects at hand. The organization is open to recruiting internationally, allowing for a diverse pool of candidates to apply. Compensation and benefits will be aligned with FAO standards and may vary based on the consultant's experience and the specifics of the contract.