Junior Agrifood Systems Specialist
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
Job Description
Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) was established in 1945 and is headquartered in Rome, Italy. The organization aims to support countries in achieving the 2030 Agenda through its Strategic Framework, which focuses on transforming agrifood systems to be more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable. FAO operates in over 130 countries and employs thousands of staff members dedicated to improving security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security and nutrition, promoting sustainable agriculture, and enhancing rural livelihoods.
Job Overview:
The Junior Agrifood Systems Specialist will play a crucial role in supporting the effective implementation of agrifood systems transformation initiatives in Eswatini. This position involves working closely with national institutions, technical experts, project teams, and key stakeholders to contribute to research, data compilation, and project activity follow-ups. The specialist will focus on agrifood systems analysis, investment planning, stakeholder engagement, and resource mobilization support. The role requires a proactive approach to coordinate day-to-day activities and ensure the successful delivery of project outputs and milestones, aligning with national agricultural investment plans and FAO's Hand-in-Hand Initiative.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The Junior Agrifood Systems Specialist will be responsible for preparing an inception note, integrated project-delivery workplan, national coordination plan, stakeholder map, data requirements matrix, and field schedule. They will serve as the national coordination focal point linking FAO with various stakeholders, including the Ministry of Agriculture and implementing partners. The specialist will maintain an integrated results and delivery tracker covering project outputs, indicators, activities, deliverables, deadlines, responsibilities, dependencies, risks, decisions, and follow-up actions. They will coordinate products and processes under different project outputs, support national technical meetings, and maintain an overview of national agrifood systems priorities. Additionally, the specialist will compile guidance for the Kampala CAADP Declaration and Strategy, support the review of the National Agriculture Investment Plan, and coordinate preparation and quality control of investment cases and country investment plans. They will also undertake literature reviews, support research and analysis, develop data-collection tools, prepare progress dashboards, and facilitate engagement with market actors. At the completion of the project, the specialist will submit a final project-output delivery status report and other relevant documentation.
Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in Agribusiness, Agricultural Development, Development Studies, Environmental Science, or a related field. Alternatively, a university degree with a minimum of four years of relevant work experience in agrifood systems, agricultural development, agribusiness, agricultural investment planning, research, or project implementation is acceptable. A working knowledge of English (Level C) is mandatory, and candidates must be nationals of Eswatini or residents with a valid work permit.
Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree in relevant fields such as Agribusiness, Agricultural Development, Development Studies, or Environmental Science. Candidates with a university degree and significant relevant work experience may also be considered. It is essential that the educational qualifications are obtained from institutions accredited or recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED).
Experience:
The position requires a minimum of two years of relevant work experience in agrifood systems, agricultural development, agribusiness, agricultural investment planning, research, or project implementation. Candidates with a university degree must have at least four years of relevant experience. Experience in supporting agricultural programs, investment frameworks, research, data collection, analysis, and technical report writing is highly valued. Familiarity with agricultural investment planning and FAO's Hand-in-Hand Initiative is also beneficial.
Languages:
A working knowledge of English (Level C) is mandatory for this position. Additionally, working knowledge of Siswati will be considered an asset, enhancing communication and engagement with local stakeholders.
Additional Notes:
FAO does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, or processing. 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 candidates should be prepared for potential international recruitment processes. For further employment opportunities, candidates can visit the FAO employment website.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) was established in 1945 and is headquartered in Rome, Italy. The organization aims to support countries in achieving the 2030 Agenda through its Strategic Framework, which focuses on transforming agrifood systems to be more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable. FAO operates in over 130 countries and employs thousands of staff members dedicated to improving security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security and nutrition, promoting sustainable agriculture, and enhancing rural livelihoods.
Job Overview:
The Junior Agrifood Systems Specialist will play a crucial role in supporting the effective implementation of agrifood systems transformation initiatives in Eswatini. This position involves working closely with national institutions, technical experts, project teams, and key stakeholders to contribute to research, data compilation, and project activity follow-ups. The specialist will focus on agrifood systems analysis, investment planning, stakeholder engagement, and resource mobilization support. The role requires a proactive approach to coordinate day-to-day activities and ensure the successful delivery of project outputs and milestones, aligning with national agricultural investment plans and FAO's Hand-in-Hand Initiative.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The Junior Agrifood Systems Specialist will be responsible for preparing an inception note, integrated project-delivery workplan, national coordination plan, stakeholder map, data requirements matrix, and field schedule. They will serve as the national coordination focal point linking FAO with various stakeholders, including the Ministry of Agriculture and implementing partners. The specialist will maintain an integrated results and delivery tracker covering project outputs, indicators, activities, deliverables, deadlines, responsibilities, dependencies, risks, decisions, and follow-up actions. They will coordinate products and processes under different project outputs, support national technical meetings, and maintain an overview of national agrifood systems priorities. Additionally, the specialist will compile guidance for the Kampala CAADP Declaration and Strategy, support the review of the National Agriculture Investment Plan, and coordinate preparation and quality control of investment cases and country investment plans. They will also undertake literature reviews, support research and analysis, develop data-collection tools, prepare progress dashboards, and facilitate engagement with market actors. At the completion of the project, the specialist will submit a final project-output delivery status report and other relevant documentation.
Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in Agribusiness, Agricultural Development, Development Studies, Environmental Science, or a related field. Alternatively, a university degree with a minimum of four years of relevant work experience in agrifood systems, agricultural development, agribusiness, agricultural investment planning, research, or project implementation is acceptable. A working knowledge of English (Level C) is mandatory, and candidates must be nationals of Eswatini or residents with a valid work permit.
Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree in relevant fields such as Agribusiness, Agricultural Development, Development Studies, or Environmental Science. Candidates with a university degree and significant relevant work experience may also be considered. It is essential that the educational qualifications are obtained from institutions accredited or recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED).
Experience:
The position requires a minimum of two years of relevant work experience in agrifood systems, agricultural development, agribusiness, agricultural investment planning, research, or project implementation. Candidates with a university degree must have at least four years of relevant experience. Experience in supporting agricultural programs, investment frameworks, research, data collection, analysis, and technical report writing is highly valued. Familiarity with agricultural investment planning and FAO's Hand-in-Hand Initiative is also beneficial.
Languages:
A working knowledge of English (Level C) is mandatory for this position. Additionally, working knowledge of Siswati will be considered an asset, enhancing communication and engagement with local stakeholders.
Additional Notes:
FAO does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, or processing. 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 candidates should be prepared for potential international recruitment processes. For further employment opportunities, candidates can visit the FAO employment website.
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We are not liable for any decisions or actions taken by applicants in response to this job listing. By applying, you agree that all application processes, interviews, and potential job offers are managed exclusively by the listed employer or organization.
Beware of fraudulent job offers. Do not provide sensitive personal information or make any payments to secure a job.