Organizational Setting
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) advances the 2030 Agenda through its Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation toward more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems. This effort promotes better production, improved nutrition, a healthier environment, and enhanced livelihoods, ensuring no one is left behind.
The Subregional Office for the Pacific Islands (SAP) is responsible for developing, promoting, overseeing, and implementing strategies and projects that drive the transformation of food, agriculture, and rural development. It also fosters and maintains relationships with subregional institutions.
The Subregional Office is a subsidiary of the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP).
A Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP) project TCP/PLW/4001 is partnering with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and the Environment (MAFE) of the Republic of Palau to establish commercial farms through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. Under this arrangement, the government will provide land, technical expertise, and support, while selected individuals will contribute partial investment and oversee farm management to run it as a viable and scalable commercial enterprise. Palau, like many small island nations, faces challenges in securing adequate land for agricultural development. Recognizing this obstacle as a significant barrier to promoting and establishing commercial farms, the MAFE has strategized to foster growth of commercial farms to support local farmers in enhancing their productivity and income levels. As a pilot, two farmers will be selected and provided access to land parcels to grow various vegetable and fruits with a view to replicating the model based on the learnings.ย
Reporting Lines
Under the overall supervision of the Subregional Coordinator for the Pacific, the direct supervision of Lead Technical Officer (LTO), and in close collaboration with the MAFE officials, the Specialist will perform the following activities ย
Technical Focus
The Specialist will oversee daily operations of the project, with a primary focus on ensuring its successful implementation and reporting in accordance with the project plan.
Tasks and responsibilities
โข ย ย Understand the mission of the project and study the opportunities, challenges, players, policies, technical and agribusiness related matters to be able to plan and support the pilot farmers to succeed.
โข ย ย Assist MAFE to identify, contract, train, motivate and monitor two pilot farmers to implement the commercial farming pilot plan.ย
โข ย ย Coordinate between Taiwan Technical Mission (TTM), MAFE, market actors and farmers as needed to assist in successful implementation of the pilot project by, among other things, organising for the following:
โข ย ย Develop and validate a recommended cropping plan and calendar in consultation with the MAFE staff and TTM experts
โข ย ย Develop and organise a capacity development and ongoing monitoring and mentoring plan for the pilot farmers
โข ย ย Provide technical and managerial support the pilot farmers in producing, value adding, marketing of their produce and in keeping good records to evaluate their commercial performance
โข ย ย Promote the pilot farm as an inspiration to other farmers and youth to adopt best practices and/or express interest to get involved a commercial farmer themselvesย
โข ย ย Collect regular observations and data on crops, pests, problems, production volumes, products, sales, financial analysis etc for reporting and case study development
โข ย ย Develop a final report on the project to capture learnings and lay down recommendations for expansion on commercial farming scheme in Public-Private-Partnership mode. ย
โข ย ย Liaise with FAO colleagues based in the Sub-Regional office as needed to ensure development, regular follow up and conclusion of Letters of Agreement (LoA) and procurement action including procurement plan ย as needed under the project.ย
โข ย ย Be proactive to identify issues and consult with MAFE, LTO, TTM and others as needed to ensure successful implementation of the project and its objectives in a timely manner within the allocated budget
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements ย ย
โข ย ย University degree in the field of agriculture, horticulture, agribusiness or related field
โข ย ย At least three years of relevant experience in vegetable production, sales and managementย
โข ย ย Working knowledge of English.
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 Working knowledge of local language in Palau
โข ย ย Efficiency, competence and integrity as well as negotiating skills, tact and diplomacy are essential.
โข ย ย Able to work with multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural project partners at regional and international level;
โข ย ย Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is desirable.
โข ย ย Extent of knowledge of FAO standard operational rules and procedures and project/programme administrative management procedures
โข ย ย Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities, with experience liaising between diverse project stakeholders.
โข ย ย Extent of knowledge of FAOโs corporate systems and database, or knowledge of other accounting or financial modules or applications relevant to accounting procedures or project budget management would be considered an asset.
โข ย ย Demonstrated analytical and judgment skills and ability to apply rules and regulations in the subject field.
Selection Criteria
โข ย ย Demonstrated experience in managing or coordinating international, regional, or national projects related to agriculture and the environment.