Agribusiness Specialist at Food and Agriculture Organization Of the United Nations

Organizational Setting

• The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by an FAO representative, is to assistant governments to develop policies, programmes, and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner to ensure zero hunger in the country.
• FAO provides support in three priority areas: sustainable increase in production and productivity, agriculture-based economic growth, and increased resilience of livelihoods to threats and crisis.
• The current portfolio of projects in Nigeria includes activities related to agriculture (crop), livestock, Fisheries, Natural Resource management and Food Security Information Management and Analysis.
• The incumbent will contribute to the country’s programme and portfolio as foreseen in the project he/she will coordinate and be assigned.

Reporting Lines:

• The Agribusiness Specialist will report to the FAO Representative (FAOR) under the direct supervision of the Head of Office of the FAO Northeast office and in close collaboration with the emergency and resilience programme specialist

Technical Focus:

• Contribute to FAO Nigeria efforts in designing and implementation of emergency agricultural and resilience sensitive programme.   

Tasks and Responsibilities

• Contribute to the design and day to day delivery of all FAO agribusiness/enterprises development related programme activities in Nigeria.
• Conduct market assessments (RMA) to determine the feasibility of proposed enterprises to support jobs and income generation in the urban and peri-urban areas and undertake continuous market scanning to identify emerging market opportunities to inform inclusive market-based programme design.   
• Promote the adoption of good agri-business practices that can be extended through various implementation platforms including the Farmer Field Schools (FFS)/Agro pastoral Field Schools (APFS) approaches and how to effectively support beneficiaries engage in agri-business and marketing especially by women and youth.
• Contribute to resource mobilization including development of project concept notes and proposals.
• Coordinate the delivery of assigned projects and ensure effective and efficient management for results and timely reporting.  
• Propose an action plan and strategies/approaches for the implementation of the selected project interventions including the identification of partners in order to improve livelihoods, diversify diets and strengthen resilience to external shocks.
• Contribute to the design, content, delivery and supervision of the training packages for value chains actors Farmer Field School trainings and the training on Integrated Business Model (IBM) planned under the project;
• Provide technical leadership in the procurement process of the agri-business component of the programme including definition of technical specifications for various programme inputs and services and seek technical clearance from respective technical units at HQ, RAF or Sub regional Office for West Africa.
• Work closely with the procurement unit for solicitation of agribusiness inputs and services and lead in the development of Letters of Agreement.
• Lead in the formation and running of sustainable farmer producer groups/cooperatives for seed and grain and develop inclusive rural business models to enable smallholder farmers’ access quality inputs and market for their produce.
• Collaborate with crop production component to transform Farmer Filed schools into Business Field Schools and transition them into rural micro enterprises
• Provide support to processing and trade enterprises/cooperatives to the identified beneficiaries in the targeted area.
• Support the scale up of rural financial literacy and inclusion models including the GSLA and linkages with financial institutions.
• Support coaching and mentorship activities for the established businesses
• Prepare case studies, guidelines, reports, publications, and presentations in support of programme delivery.
• Perform any other related duties as required.
• Other tasks as required by the supervisor.

Candidates Will Be Assessed Against The Following
Minimum Requirements:

• Master's (or Higher) Degree in Agricultural Economics, Economics with specialisation in enterprise development and / or marketing,
• At least five years postgraduate (MSc, MBA) relevant experience related to both entrepreneurial development, small-scale enterprises development and agricultural commodities marketing with emphasis on rural development within smallholder production and marketing schemes.
• Working knowledge (level C) of English
• National of Nigeria.

FAO Core 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
• Extent and relevance of experience in working in humanitarian context in the field of agriculture and with deep understanding emergency agriculture concepts and programming
• Extent and relevance of experience in working with communities and diverse stakeholders in conflict affected areas.
• Familiarity and proven experience in project management and development
• Excellent command of written and spoken English.
• Excellent computer skills, communication, writing and presentation skills.
• Readiness to carry out visits to project sites and duty travel as required.
• Flexibility and adaptability to work in emergency situations with tight deadlines.
• Excellent team-building and cross-cultural skills.
• Sound knowledge and understanding of the on-going emerging policy issues in the areas of Agriculture, Food Security, Rural Development, Poverty Eradication, and social protection
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and experience in working with a wide range of individuals at high levels in government, private sector, and civil society.
• Experience of working with the government counterparts, national or international financial institutions, private sector/ civil society in the field of economic and social development in Nigeria.
• Experience in Market Systems Development (MSD) in the agricultural sector is an added advantage.