Business Planning Consultant

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. The FAO Representation in Cambodia focuses on assisting the government in developing policies, programs, and projects aimed at achieving food security and reducing hunger and malnutrition. The organization is committed to sustainable agricultural practices and the responsible use of natural resources, contributing to the broader goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Job Overview:
The Business Planning Consultant will play a crucial role in the Public-Social-Private Partnerships for Ecologically-Sound Agriculture and Resilient Livelihood in the Northern Tonle Sap Basin (PEARL) project, which is a six-year initiative funded by the Green Climate Fund. The consultant will be responsible for designing and delivering a targeted training program aimed at enhancing the capacity of Commune Agriculture Officers (CAOs) and public extension providers. The focus will be on equipping these officers with the necessary skills to assist farmer organizations in developing business plans that are aligned with climate-resilient agricultural practices and high-value markets. This position requires a strong emphasis on business planning and entrepreneurial skill development, ensuring that CAOs can effectively guide farmer organizations in creating crop-specific business plans that adhere to provincial value chain roadmaps and certification schemes.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will undertake a variety of tasks under the supervision of the FAO Representative in Cambodia. These tasks include:

• Preparation and assessment (13 days): Supporting the international consultant in organizing meetings with the Department of Agricultural Cooperative Promotion (DACP) to present the assignment’s objectives and explore potential cooperation opportunities; facilitating consultations with CAOs and local stakeholders to identify business planning needs; conducting capacity assessments to identify skill gaps; and translating key documents between Khmer and English.
• Curriculum and training material development (17 days): Adapting and localizing the Training of Trainers (ToT) curriculum, consulting with relevant government departments, translating training materials, and ensuring alignment with certification requirements.
• Training delivery and mentoring (30 days): Coordinating logistics for provincial-level ToT workshops, co-facilitating sessions, implementing assessments, and providing ongoing mentoring and support to CAOs and farmer organizations.
• Monitoring, reporting, and documentation (20 days): Monitoring the quality of training, facilitating linkages between stakeholders, documenting lessons learned, preparing progress reports, and supporting the final consultancy report. The consultant will also perform any other relevant tasks as assigned.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a university degree in agricultural economics, rural development, agribusiness, business administration, or a related field. A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in supporting agricultural training, business planning, or financial literacy programs with farmer groups or cooperatives is required. Additionally, candidates must have a working knowledge of English and must be a national of Cambodia or a resident with a valid work permit. FAO core competencies such as results focus, teamwork, communication, building effective relationships, and knowledge sharing are essential.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a university degree in fields related to agriculture, economics, rural development, or business administration. This educational foundation is critical for understanding the complexities of agricultural systems and the economic principles that underpin successful business planning in the agricultural sector.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least 5 years of relevant professional experience, particularly in supporting agricultural training, business planning, or financial literacy programs. Experience working with agricultural cooperatives, farmer associations, and community-based organizations in Cambodia is highly desirable. Familiarity with high-value crop value chains and certification schemes will also be beneficial.

Languages:
A working knowledge of English is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in Khmer is also essential, as the consultant will be required to translate materials and facilitate training sessions in both languages. Additional language skills may be advantageous but are not required.

Additional Notes:
This position is expected to involve frequent travel to project sites in the provinces of Siem Reap, Kampong Thom, Oddar Meanchey, and Preah Vihear. The role is likely to be full-time and may involve a contract duration aligned with the project timeline from 2023 to 202

• Compensation and benefits will be discussed during the recruitment process.