National Value Chains and Rural Finance Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations is dedicated to achieving security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security for all and ensuring that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. Established in 1945, FAO has grown to include 194 member countries, two associate members, and one member organization, the European Union. The organization operates in over 130 countries worldwide, focusing on various aspects of food security, agriculture, fisheries, forestry, and sustainable resource management. FAO's mission is to eradicate hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition, promote sustainable agriculture, and enhance the resilience of livelihoods to threats and crises. In Nigeria, FAO's current portfolio includes projects related to crop production, livestock, fisheries, natural resource management, and food security information management and analysis, all aimed at supporting the government in achieving its food security goals.

Job Overview:
The National Value Chains and Rural Finance Specialist will play a crucial role in contributing to the FAO's country program and portfolio in Nigeria. The incumbent will be responsible for providing technical support and operational assistance based on a deep understanding of local conditions, culture, language, and institutions. The position requires effective coordination and provision of technical and operational support for various program and project activities. The specialist will work closely with the Team Leader to prepare and present communications regarding the contributions of wild foods and forests to healthy diets and nutrition for vulnerable populations. Additionally, the role involves developing learning tools, conducting baseline assessments, facilitating community training, and producing technical reports to strengthen the capacities of local stakeholders in sustainable agrifood systems.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the National Value Chains and Rural Finance Specialist include:

• Collaborating with the Team Leader to prepare and present communications on the role of wild foods and forests in nutrition and sustainable agriculture.
• Developing and delivering training programs tailored to the needs of target audiences.
• Conducting comprehensive baseline assessments on Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) and identifying training needs for community members.
• Facilitating community-level training on the restoration process and establishing NTFP nurseries.
• Acting as the Technical Lead to produce reports and handouts on strengthening capacities for forest-based contributions to agrifood systems.
• Overseeing assessments related to the consumption of wild foods and ecological sustainability of NTFP harvests.
• Providing technical guidance for project implementation in collaboration with national partners.
• Participating in technical meetings and workshops related to environmental projects.
• Preparing and submitting progress reports and coordinating the preparation of technical documents. 1
• Assessing institutional gaps and proposing capacity-building strategies. 1
• Supporting the establishment of monitoring and reporting systems at the institutional level. 1
• Facilitating training programs for government and community actors. 1
• Providing technical support for institutional reforms and governance improvements. 1
• Carrying out any other relevant duties as assigned by the FAO.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires the following qualifications:

• An advanced university degree in Environmental Studies, Value Chain Development, or a related discipline.
• A minimum of five years of experience in forestry or community mobilization.
• A working knowledge (Level C) of English and Hausa.
• Nationality of Nigeria is required.
• Demonstrated experience in implementing environmental and social safeguards, including risk management and gender mainstreaming.
• Proven ability to engage stakeholders and facilitate community participation.
• Experience in land restoration, sustainable landscape management, and ecosystem rehabilitation initiatives.
• Familiarity with non-timber forest product value chains and climate-resilient livelihood interventions.
• Experience in program monitoring and results tracking.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in Environmental Studies, Value Chain Development, or a related field. The FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from institutions accredited or recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED).

Experience:
Candidates should have at least five years of relevant experience in forestry, community mobilization, or related fields. Experience in implementing environmental and social safeguards, stakeholder engagement, and community participation is essential. Familiarity with land restoration and sustainable landscape management is also required.

Languages:
The mandatory language for this position is English, with a working knowledge of Hausa being essential. Knowledge of additional languages spoken in the project area, such as Kanuri or Fulfulde, is considered an advantage.

Additional Notes:
The FAO does not charge any fees during the recruitment process. Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted. Candidates must be medically fit for appointment and meet any residency or visa requirements. The position may involve full-time engagement, and the FAO is committed to ensuring compliance with its standards and guidelines throughout the recruitment process.