Organizational Settingย
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) supports the 2030 Agenda through its Strategic Framework, promoting efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems for better production, nutrition, environment, and life, leaving no one behind.ย
FAO Country Offices, guided by the Strategic Framework, provide policy advice, technical assistance, and core services to countries in FAOโs mandated areas. These offices implement country-specific priorities outlined in their Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs) and aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), ensuring efficient operations with adequate human and financial resources.
The main mandate of FAO country offices, which are headed by an FAO Representative, is to assist governments to develop policies, programs 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. ย
Within this framework, the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation has allocated some funding to support the implementation of the technical assistance (TA) project in synergy with the ISVCD project which is being implemented by the Government of Ethiopia (GoE). The Italian and Ethiopian joint initiative aims at developing selected strategic agricultural value chains in Oromia, Sidama and South Ethiopia regions. ย The direct beneficiaries of the project include different value chain actors (producersโ organizations, Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SMEs), input and service providers, traders, and processors). The project adopts a market-oriented and demand-driven approach, supporting smallholders, cooperatives, and agri-SMEs through integrated interventions in input systems, production, post-harvest management, market access, and financial inclusion.
To support effective implementation, the Agribusiness Expert will be engaged to provide technical and analytical support to various stakeholders.
Reporting Lines
The National Agribusiness Expert will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Ethiopia, and direct supervision of the International Agribusiness Specialist in collaboration with the FAO Ethiopia Agribusiness Team.ย
Technical Focus
Economic analysis of agricultural value chains and market systems; agribusiness development and commercialization; investment plans preparation, inclusive rural livelihood strategies; economic assessments and cost-benefit analysis; support to GIS-based monitoring and modelling; and documentation of lessons learned to inform policy and strengthen food system resilience.ย
Tasks and responsibilities
In particular, the incumbent will be responsible for fulfilling the following specific tasks:ย
โข ย ย Evaluate economic costs and benefits of agricultural technologies, contract farming, investments, and development projects.
โข ย ย Develop strategies to mitigate economic risks associated with agricultural production systems.
โข ย ย Support the appraisal of business plans, feasibility studies and loan financing proposals etc for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and producer organizations (POs).ย
โข ย ย Support agribusiness unit and government partners in developing investment plans, typology maps to identify potential areas for investments in different regions.
โข ย ย Support agribusiness unit in modelling exercises to track project progress and adopt corrective measures.
โข ย ย Support daily implementation of the bilateral project โInclusive and sustainable value chain development in Oromia, Sidama and South Ethiopia regionsโ.
โข ย ย Provide technical assistance to regional and woreda implementation teams.
โข ย ย Support the integration of inclusive and climate-resilient practices within the value chain development process.
โข ย ย Strengthen the implementation of value chain interventions through sound economic analysis and evidence-based decision-making.
โข ย ย Evaluate economic viability of different agricultural practices, crop choices, and farm management strategies as a part of economic analysis and farming systems.
โข ย ย Deliver trainings and coaching to project personnel, cooperatives, and MSMEs on business planning, financial literacy, agribusiness and value chain development.
โข ย ย Support Agribusiness Unit in capacity building for government partners in economic and financial analysis of proposals and projects.
โข ย ย Prepare regular progress reports, case studies and success stories of different projects.
โข ย ย Perform other relevant duties as required.ย
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements ย
ย ย
โข ย ย Candidate should be national of Ethiopia. ย
โข ย ย Advanced university degree in Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics, Development Economics, or related discipline.
โข ย ย Minimum 7 years of relevant experience in agribusiness, agricultural value chain development, agro informatics, inclusive finance, or rural development in Ethiopia.
โข ย ย Working knowledge of English and good knowledge of the local language (s) used at the duty station is required.
โข ย ย National of Ethiopia or resident on the country with a valid work permit.
FAO Core Competencies
โข ย ย Results Focus
โข ย ย Teamwork
โข ย ย Communication
โข ย ย Building Effective Relationships
โข ย ย Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skillsย
โข ย ย Work experience in more than one location or area of work
โข ย ย Extent and relevance of experience in agribusiness and value chain assessment, promotion of SMEs, access to finance, working with cooperatives and unions.
โข ย ย Extent and relevance of experience in development of business plans, investment cases, and economic and financial analysis (EFA).
โข ย ย Familiarity with working on Geospatial metadata & GIS analysis and modelling exercises to track project progress and adopt corrective measures.
โข ย ย Proven experience in business plan analysis, investment plans, enterprise development, and rural finance.
โข ย ย Strong knowledge of Ethiopiaโs agricultural and market systems.
โข ย ย Excellent analytical, communication, and facilitation skills.
โข ย ย Willingness to travel frequently within the target regions and open to work with other relevant units.
โข ย ย Experience in use of Geospatial metadata, GIS analysis and EUDR compliance requirements