Investment Support Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The FAO Investment Centre (CFI) is dedicated to providing investment and finance solutions aimed at creating more efficient, sustainable, inclusive, and resilient agrifood systems. Established to support FAO Members, the Centre operates in over 120 countries, collaborating with various stakeholders including governments, international and national financing institutions, the private sector, farmers, research institutions, and academia. The Centre focuses on four main areas: strategic investment planning and policy, public investment, private investment, and innovative finance. Additionally, it emphasizes knowledge sharing and capacity development to enhance investment programs at the country level. For more information about the FAO Investment Centre, its activities, and organizational structure, interested parties can visit their official website.

Job Overview:
The Investment Support Officer position is situated within the Near East, North Africa, Europe and Central Asia Service (CFIC) of the FAO Investment Centre (CFI) at the FAO Subregional Office for Central Asia (SEC) in Ankara, Türkiye. The role involves providing analytical and technical support across various domains such as agriculture, rural development, irrigation, rural infrastructure, agribusiness, value chain development, agrifood logistics and markets, agrifood finance, natural resource management, forestry, land tenure, sustainable livestock management, rural institutions, resilience and risk management, and private sector development. The officer will be responsible for formulating, implementing, and evaluating investment policies, strategies, programs, and projects in food and agriculture, rural development, and natural resource management. The position aims to deliver impactful investment and finance support solutions through collaboration with country stakeholders and partners, aligning with the FAO Strategic Framework.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Investment Support Officer will participate in and potentially lead multidisciplinary teams to assist governments in identifying and preparing investment and finance support initiatives in areas such as security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security, agriculture, rural development, and natural resource management. Responsibilities include leading implementation support and final evaluations of investment solutions, providing technical expertise for studies and strategies related to food and agriculture, and supporting the development of inclusive and sustainable food systems. The officer will also formulate and deliver capacity development initiatives, prepare documents in compliance with FAO and partner requirements, and promote international cooperation to create new investment opportunities. Additionally, the officer will establish and maintain relationships with relevant FAO units to ensure synergy between investment, policy, and innovation work, participate in resource mobilization activities, and provide guidance to junior staff.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in fields such as economics, agricultural economics, agricultural sciences, environmental sciences, agribusiness management, natural resource management, forestry, irrigation and drainage engineering, or rural infrastructure engineering. A minimum of seven years of relevant experience in conducting agricultural or rural sector analytical studies is required, along with experience in formulating and implementing agrifood investment operations in developing countries. Candidates should have a working knowledge of English (full proficiency - level C) and intermediate knowledge of another official FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish - level B).

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree, specifically a Master’s degree or equivalent, in relevant fields such as economics, agricultural economics, agricultural sciences, environmental sciences, agribusiness management, natural resource management, forestry, irrigation and drainage engineering, or rural infrastructure engineering. This educational foundation is essential for understanding the complexities of investment and finance solutions in agrifood systems.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of seven years of relevant experience in the agricultural or rural sector, particularly in conducting analytical studies and formulating and implementing agrifood investment operations in developing countries. Candidates should have experience working in multidisciplinary teams and engaging with various stakeholders, including government officials, development partners, and private sector actors. Experience in field positions and with FAO's main development partners, such as the World Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, is highly valued.

Languages:
Candidates must have a working knowledge of English at full proficiency (level C) and intermediate proficiency (level B) in another official FAO language, which could be Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish. Proficiency in these languages is crucial for effective communication and collaboration in an international context.

Additional Notes:
The position is full-time and is based in Ankara, Türkiye. It is essential for candidates to be adaptable and willing to engage in resource mobilization activities. The role may involve working with international partners and stakeholders, and candidates should be prepared for potential travel within the region. The FAO Investment Centre emphasizes the importance of building effective relationships and fostering knowledge sharing and continuous improvement in its operations.