Agribusiness Officer (Market Linkages and Value Chain)

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations; Roma; In loco; EUR 50.000 - 70.000; Tempo pieno

Descrizione del lavoro

A leading international agricultural organization is seeking an Agribusiness Officer for Market Linkages and Value Chain in Rome, Italy. This role focuses on providing technical support for agribusiness development and fostering connections between smallholders and markets. Candidates require a Master's degree, seven years of relevant experience, and proficiency in English and another FAO language. The position involves engaging with stakeholders, leading multidisciplinary teams, and advocating for best practices in the agrifood sector. A competitive compensation package, including various benefits, is offered.

Servizi

Dependency allowances

Rental subsidy

Education grant for children

Home leave travel

30 working days of annual leave

Pension fund entitlements

International health insurance

Competenze

• Seven years of relevant experience in developing countries.
• Proficiency in English (level C) and another FAO official language.
• Experience in producing analytical studies and evaluations.

Mansioni

• Lead teams in investment and finance support initiatives.
• Engage private-sector actors to strengthen investment options.
• Analyze agrifood value chains and propose solutions.

Conoscenze

Value-chain analysis

Agribusiness

Market development

Agro-processing

Analytical reporting

Formazione

Master’s degree in agriculture or related field

Descrizione del lavoro

How to Apply

Apply through the FAO website: Jobs at FAO. Complete an accurate online profile, including employment records, academic qualifications and language skills. Attach a letter of motivation to the profile. Submit your application once the profile is complete. Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered. Incomplete applications will not be taken into account.

Organizational Setting

The FAO Investment Centre (CFI) provides investment and finance solutions that enhance sustainable, inclusive and resilient agrifood systems. CFI works in over 120 countries, partnering with governments, national and international financing institutions, the private sector, farmers, research institutions and academia to improve investment quality and quantity. Its main areas of work are strategic investment planning and policy, public and private investment, innovative finance, and capacity development for investment programmes.

Reporting Lines

The Agribusiness Officer (Market Linkages and Value Chain) reports to the Chief Latin America and the Caribbean Service of the FAO Investment Centre.

Technical Focus

Provide analytical and technical support on agribusiness and value‑chain development, including the functioning of agrifood markets, linking smallholders to markets, productive alliances, agrifood logistics and agribusiness financing. Collaborate with private‑sector stakeholders to formulate, implement and evaluate investment policies, strategies, programmes and projects in food and agriculture, rural development, natural resources management and agro‑processing.

Key Results

Deliver investment and finance support solutions through technical expertise, capacity development and cooperation with country stakeholders to scale the transformation of agrifood systems in line with the FAO Strategic Framework.

Key Functions

• Lead multidisciplinary teams to assist governments in identifying and preparing investment and finance support initiatives in food security, agriculture, rural development, natural resource management and agro‑processing.
• Support implementation, final evaluation and technical expertise for studies and strategies in national sector or sub‑sector investment plans.
• Promote inclusive and sustainable food systems involving producers, their organizations, private‑sector actors, civil society and government.
• Design and deliver capacity‑development strategies and activities to government staff, non‑state actors and private sector organisations.
• Prepare documents to meet FAO, government and financing partner requirements.
• Provide support in task organisation, consultant selection, terms of reference and quality of outputs.
• Advocate best practices, facilitate policy dialogue and represent FAO at international meetings.
• Maintain relationships with Strategic Programmes, FAO technical units and Decentralized Offices for synergy between investment policy and innovation work.
• Participate in resource mobilisation activities in accordance with the FAO Strategic Framework.
• Offer guidance and advice to junior staff.

Specific Functions

• Analyse selected agrifood value chains and engage with stakeholders, including producer organisations.
• Assess constraints and opportunities for investment along value chains in relation to private‑sector engagement, markets, institutions, trade policies, risk management, agrifood logistics, food safety standards and control systems.
• Identify agriculture‑investment‑related policy issues and propose agribusiness solutions.
• Engage private‑sector actors—SMEs, farmers, agribusiness companies, agro‑industries—to strengthen and validate investment and policy options.
• Develop knowledge products, analytical work and practical tools on agribusiness marketing and value‑chain development.
• Design public‑private platforms and strategies to strengthen the enabling environment for scaling up investments.

Candidates Will Be Assessed Against The Following

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in agriculture, agribusiness, business administration, economics, agricultural economics or a closely related field.
• Seven years of relevant experience in value‑chain analysis, agribusiness, market development, agro‑processing and in the formulation and implementation of agrifood investment operations in developing countries.
• Proficiency in English (level C) and intermediate proficiency in another FAO official 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 multiple locations or areas, particularly in field positions.
• Experience producing analytical studies, feasibility studies and programme evaluations, and participating in public‑private policy dialogue to promote investments within agribusiness and value‑chain development.
• Experience in multidisciplinary teams preparing strategies and sector studies, or in the formulation, implementation support or evaluation of food security, agriculture, rural development, natural resources management and agro‑processing investment and finance solutions.
• Experience designing, implementing & evaluating investment operations with FAO’s main development partners (World Bank, IFAD, other IDIs).
• Demonstrated capacity to write technical reports in English.
• Knowledge of Latin America and the Caribbean context, partners and institutions.

General Information

• Extension of fixed‑term appointments is based on performance certification and availability of funds.
• FAO reserves the right not to make an appointment.
• Appointment will be subject to certification of medical fitness, accreditation, visa requirements and security clearances.

Conditions of Service

A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. Other benefits subject to eligibility include:

• Dependency allowances
• Rental subsidy
• Education grant for children
• Home leave travel
• 30 working days of annual leave per year
• Pension fund entitlements under the UN Joint Staff Pension Fund
• International health insurance; optional life insurance

Disability Protection and Inclusive Workplace

FAO encourages a positive workplace culture that promotes inclusivity and diversity. Measures include family‑friendly policies and flexible working arrangements.

Equal Opportunity

FAO is committed to workforce diversity in gender, nationality, background and culture. Qualified female applicants, nationals from non‑and under‑represented members and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Integrity Statement

All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks. All applications will be treated with strict confidentiality. FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director‑General, who may assign them to any activity or office of the Organization.

Environmental Commitment

FAO’s environmental sustainability commitment is integral to its strategic objectives and operations.

Legal and Ethical Standards

FAO adheres to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, upholding FAO Values of Commitment, Respect for All, Integrity and Transparency. FAO has a zero‑tolerance policy for conduct incompatible with its status, including sexual exploitation, abuse, harassment and discrimination.