Agribusiness Officer

Organizational Setting

The FAO Investment Centre (CFI) provides investment and finance solutions that lead to more efficient, sustainable, inclusive and resilient agrifood systems. Working in over 120 countries, CFI provides a full suite of investment and finance support to FAO Members. It partners with governments, international and national financing institutions, the private sector and farmers, research institutions and academia to improve the quality and quantity of agrifood investment. The Centre's four main areas of work include support to strategic investment planning and policy, public investment, private investment and innovative finance. These are complemented by the knowledge of investment and capacity development for investment programmes that serve to share knowledge, learn and build capacities at country level. For additional information on the FAO Investment Centre, its activities, partners and the organizational structure please visit the following link.

The post is located in the Asia and the Pacific Service (CFIB) of the FAO Investment Centre (CFI) at the FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines

The Agribusiness Officer reports to the Chief, Asia and the Pacific Service of the FAO Investment Centre (CFI).

Technical Focus

Provide analytical and technical support on agribusiness development stakeholders with focus on the functioning of agricultural support services, rural market and finance institutions aspects, in close collaboration with the relevant private sector stakeholders, for the formulation, implementation and evaluation of investment policies, strategies, programmes and projects in food and agriculture, rural development, natural resource management and agro-processing.

Key Results

Delivering investment and finance support solutions through the provision of technical expertise/assistance and support to capacity development, in collaboration with country stakeholders and cooperating partners, to achieve impact at scale in the transformation of agrifood systems in the scope of the FAO Strategic Framework.

Key Functions

Participates in, and eventually leads, multidisciplinary teams to assist governments in the identification and preparation of investment and finance support initiatives in the fields of food security, agriculture, rural development, natural resource management and agro-processing, and participates in pre-appraisal and appraisal missions.

Participates in, and eventually leads, multidisciplinary teams for the implementation support and the preparation of final evaluation of investment and finance support solutions.

Provides technical expertise for the preparation of food and agriculture, rural development, natural resource management and agro-processing studies and strategies, in the formulation of national sector and/or sub-sector investment plans and programmes.

Supports the development of inclusive and sustainable food systems involving producers, their organizations, other private sector actors, and civil society organizations and government.

Formulates and delivers capacity development strategies and activities in the areas of food and agriculture, rural development, natural resource management and agro-processing investment support to government staff, non-state actors and private sector organizations.

Prepares documents in accordance with FAO, governments and financing partners' requirements.

Provides support in task organization, selection of consultants, preparation of terms of reference and in ensuring the quality of outputs.

Promotes international cooperation and collaboration leading to new investment opportunities and cooperative agreements, advocates best practices and effective policy dialogue, and provides technical expertise at international meetings.

Establishes, promotes and maintains relationships with relevant Strategic Programmes, FAO technical units and Decentralized Offices in order to ensure best synergies between investment, policy and innovation work in support to Members.

Participates in resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Strategic Framework.

Provides guidance and advice to junior staff.

Specific Functions

Contributes to the analysis of selected agrifood sub-sectors and value chains, with active engagement of relevant private sector stakeholders.

Assesses investment constraints and opportunities across different agrifood value chains. She/he is able to analyse investments, taking into consideration the characteristics of private sector entities and individuals active at different stages of value chains, market structures and dynamics, availability and quality of support services, trade environment, food quality and safety.

Identifies and analyses policy issues related to agrifood value chain investments, offering actionable recommendations to enable private investment.

Engages with private sector actors (including agri-financing entities, SMEs, agribusinesses, industry associations, and farmers' organizations) to validate and strengthen investment and policy options.

Supports the development of knowledge products, including analytical studies and practical tools on agribusiness, marketing and trade, and value chain development.

Facilitates the establishment of public-private platforms to foster an enabling environment for investment along agrifood value chains.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in agriculture, agro-industry, business administration, agribusiness, economics, agricultural economics finance or a closely related field.

Seven years of relevant experience in the practical application of value chain analysis and development, agribusiness and market development, processing, including experience in the formulation and/or implementation of agrifood investment operations in developing countries.

Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of another official FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

Competencies

Results Focus

Teamwork

Communication

Building Effective Relationships

Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions.

Extent and relevance of experience in technical areas related to private sector engagement, agribusiness

development, value chain analysis, business planning, and agrifood marketing, particularly in support of

investment operations.

Extent and relevance of experience working within multidisciplinary teams on the formulation, implementation, or

evaluation of investment strategies and sector studies, with a focus on private sector-oriented finance solutions,

value chain upgrading, and agribusiness development.

Extent and relevance of experience in investment design, implementation support, or evaluation procedures of

FAO's main development partners, particularly the World Bank (WB), Asian Development Bank (ADB), European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and other international financing institutions (IFIs) or development finance institutions (DFIs).

Experience in facilitating public private dialogue and supporting enabling environments for private investment in

the agrifood sector, including through policy advisory, blended finance instruments, and technical assistance to

SMEs.

Familiarity with the Asia and the Pacific region, including key institutions, market dynamics, and investment

Stakeholders would be considered an asset.

Hands-on experience in, or close collaboration with the private sector, particularly in agrifood investment, finance,

or enterprise development, is highly desirable.

Extent and relevance of experience in addressing food safety and quality standards, regulatory frameworks, and

market access barriers that affect private investment and value chain competitiveness.

Relevance of experience in capacity development related to the planning and implementation of private sector

driven investment projects in food security, agriculture, agribusiness, and rural development.

Demonstrated experience in stakeholder engagement, including with government agencies, private sector actors,

DFIs, and development partners, in support of investment facilitation.

Demonstrated ability to produce high-quality technical reports in English.