Value Chain and Marketing Specialist

Full Job Description

Organizational Setting

Upon request from the Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, represented by the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) will provide technical assistance for the improvement of livelihood of farmers of selected districts (Anuradhapura, Hambanthota, Vavuniya and Kurunegala) through increasing productivity of paddy while diversifying a sizable quantity of paddy lands with legumes and other field crops (OFC) using Climate Smart Good Agriculture Practices (CSGAP) with increased cropping intensity, efficient water and fertilizer management systems which leads to increase overall land productivity, profitability, and sustainability of the system. 

The above will be accomplished through the 4-year Project OSRO/SRL/205/USA “Rice Rethink; Enhancing Paddy Farmer Resilience and Return through Crop Diversification”.  

Reporting Lines

The incumbent will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative, direct supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative (Programme), the guidance of the Project Management Specialist and in close coordination with the Administrative Section of the FAO Representation and consultants in the project. Additionally, he/she will work in close collaboration with other Government counterparts, the Lead Technical Officer (LTO), and Lead Technical Unit in FAO HQ.

Technical Focus

Value Chain and Marketing

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Facilitate gathering market information and production forecasts for proper decision-making of the farmers.
•   Facilitate market linkages with Producer Groups (PGs) using existing IT-enabled platforms available with the government.
•    Conduct four feasibility studies (one in each district) in all 100 tracts, including a situation analysis on agriculture production-related potential value chain addition activities, off-farm income, market information, and linkages. 
•    Prepare reports on the above feasibility studies.
•    Prepare required training material to conduct eight capacity-building programs (2 in each district) for 100 entrepreneurial youth and women farmers on business development skills (e.g., entrepreneurship, financial literacy, business management, credit facilities, accounting, auditing, etc.) through Public-Private partnership.
•    Conduct the eight capacity-building training programs (2 in each district) to 100 entrepreneurial youth and women farmers on business development skills.
•    Facilitate the private-public partnership among the 100 entrepreneurial youth and women farmers.
•    Facilitate the marketing of cash crops and specific varieties of paddy with appropriate post-harvest management and value additions.
•    Collaborate with FAO IT specialists and draft a marketing strategy that empowers farmers to showcase their produce on online platforms (including social media), enhancing their skills in branding, packaging, and utilizing online financial tools.
•    Implement the above strategy and necessary activities to empower the farmers to showcase their produce on online platforms, enhancing their skills in branding, packaging, and utilizing online financial tools.
•    Prepare training outcome documents for all the training with necessary details.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements    

•   University degree in Agricultural economics, Marketing or related fields with a minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience in in agrifood systems, Marketing, and/or value chain, or an Advanced university degree with a minimum of 2 years of related experience.
•    Working knowledge of English and Sinhala/Tamil.
•    A national of Sri Lanka or must hold a regular work permit.
 
 
FAO Core Competencies

•    Results Focus
•    Teamwork
•   Communication
•    Building Effective Relationships
•   Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

•   Familiarity with development skills (e.g. entrepreneurship, financial literacy, business management and credit facilities, accounting, auditing etc.)
•    Experience in value chain assessments and related research
•    Ability to lead/coordinate multidisciplinary teams.
 
 

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FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO  Members in all regions.

• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination　　
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
• FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
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• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
•  We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

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