Agribusiness Finance Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized agency that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Established in 1945, FAO has a mission 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. The organization operates in over 120 countries and employs thousands of staff members who work collaboratively to support sustainable agricultural practices and improve nutrition worldwide. FAO's strategic framework aligns with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, focusing on transforming agrifood systems to be more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable. The FAO Investment Centre (CFI) plays a crucial role in providing investment and finance solutions to enhance agrifood systems, partnering with various stakeholders including governments, financial institutions, and the private sector to improve investment quality and quantity in agrifood sectors.

Job Overview:
The Agribusiness Finance Officer position is integral to the FAO Investment Centre, focusing on providing analytical and technical support for the development of agrifood lending and value chains. The officer will be responsible for formulating, implementing, and evaluating technical assistance activities in food and agriculture. This role requires collaboration with country stakeholders and partners to deliver impactful investment and finance support solutions. The officer will engage in multidisciplinary teams to assist governments in identifying and preparing investment initiatives, ensuring that agrifood systems are transformed in line with FAO's strategic objectives. The position demands a proactive approach to capacity development, enabling stakeholders to enhance their capabilities in agrifood finance and investment.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Agribusiness Finance Officer will participate in and potentially lead multidisciplinary teams to assist governments in identifying and preparing investment and finance support initiatives in various fields such as food security, agriculture, and rural development. Responsibilities include conducting pre-appraisal and appraisal missions, providing technical expertise for the preparation of studies and strategies, and supporting the development of inclusive food systems. The officer will also formulate and deliver capacity development initiatives, prepare documents according to FAO and partner requirements, and promote international cooperation to create new investment opportunities. Additionally, the officer will engage with financial institutions to assess their needs, conduct comprehensive assessments of agrifood portfolios, and prepare knowledge products related to agrifood investments.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in relevant fields such as agriculture, business administration, economics, or finance. A minimum of seven years of relevant experience in agrifood lending, value chain analysis, and market development is required. Candidates should demonstrate proficiency in English and have intermediate knowledge of another FAO official language. Competencies in results focus, teamwork, communication, and building effective relationships are essential, along with technical skills in agribusiness development and rural finance.

Educational Background:
The position requires an advanced university degree, specifically a Master's degree or equivalent, in fields closely related to agriculture, agro-industry, business administration, economics, or finance. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of agrifood systems and the financial mechanisms that support them.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least seven years of relevant experience in the practical application of agrifood lending and market development. Experience in formulating and implementing agricultural investment and finance solutions in developing countries or countries in transition is essential. The role also requires experience in working with multidisciplinary teams and engaging with various stakeholders, including government officials and financial institutions.

Languages:
Proficiency in English is mandatory, with a working knowledge at level C. Additionally, candidates should have intermediate proficiency (level B) in another official FAO language, which may include Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish. This linguistic capability is important for effective communication within the international context of FAO's operations.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Rome, Italy, at the FAO headquarters. It is essential for candidates to be adaptable and willing to engage in international cooperation and resource mobilization activities. The role may involve travel and collaboration with various stakeholders, including government officials and financial institutions. The FAO offers a dynamic work environment with opportunities for professional development and capacity building.