National Project Coordinator for Agriculture Value chain & Trade Development

Organizational Setting

The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by an FAO Representative (FAOR), is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes, and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help develop the agriculture, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner. For the period 2022-2026, the FAO Office in Zimbabwe is supporting Government efforts through the Country Programme Framework (CPF) which is based on three pillars: (i) Promotion of inclusive and sustainable agrifood systems to address food security and nutrition. (ii) Building resilience to climate change, agricultural threats, and crisis; (iii) Sustainable management of natural resources and environmental protection.

The Zim-Moza Agricultural Trade and Value Chain Development Project aims to strengthen agricultural trade between Zimbabwe and Mozambique by identifying and supporting key value chains with high cross-border trade potential. In Zimbabwe, activities focus on improving value chain efficiency, enhancing market access for smallholder farmers, and aligning trade-related policies and standards. The project supports institutional coordination and stakeholder engagement while fostering regional integration through practical trade facilitation measures.

Reporting Lines

The National Project Coordinator will work under the overall supervision of the Subregional Coordinator, the direct supervision and guidance of the Lead Technical Officer (LTO) and in close coordination with the International Project Coordinator who oversees activities in Mozambique and Zimbabwe.

Technical Focus

The National Project Coordinator will play a crucial role in defining and aligning public and private investment capacities to enhance trade and investment opportunities. This position involves providing strategic leadership and technical and operational support to key stakeholders in agribusiness and market development, spanning both the public and private sectors. The coordinator will convert identified market opportunities into actionable strategies for the private sector while ensuring that policy frameworks foster sustainable market growth.

Tasks and responsibilities

The National Project Coordinator will be responsible for coordinating the successful implementation of project activities in line with the proposed budget to reach defined objectives. S/he will also provide overall guidance, technical support and coordination of the project, including the following:
1.    Plan, organize and ensure the general coherence of the projects’ activities implemented under the project components.
2.    Serve as the main contact point between project partners, the Budget Holder and Lead Technical Officer from FAO SFS.
3.    Provide technical support and strengthen capacities of government partners involved and ensure that the latest and best international practices and approaches are incorporated in the planning and implementation of project activities.
4.    Ensure that the project’s monitoring system is set-up and operational.
5.    Ensure timely reporting

In particular, the incumbent will lead and coordinate the following:
1.    Project Coordination:
•     Coordinate all project activities, ensuring alignment with project goals and timelines.
•     Facilitate communication and cooperation between stakeholders, including government agencies, private sector entities, and international partners.
•     Manage up to four agribusiness technicians.
2.    Trade Policy Support.
•     Support Government in improving the policy environment for trade enhancement through diagnostics and policy framework analysis.
•     Provide technical assistance in the operationalization of trade agreements and measures to address tariff or non-tariff related barriers, including phytosanitary trade protocols.
•     Enhance multi-sectoral policy dialogue between Mozambique, Zimbabwe and other relevant markets to align policy and legal frameworks.
3.    Trade and Investment Facilitation.
•     Provide trade support to the private sector, and especially micro, small and medium sized enterprises (MSMEs) to cope with trade regulations and compliance requirements.
•     Promote agricultural trade export facilitation through (national, regional and international) business matchmaking, market days, and high-level investment forums.
•     Ensure that the value chain actors, including farmers, are capable of meeting quality requirements for high demanding off-taker markets.
4.    Value Chain Development.
•     Support the dentification and prioritization of relevant agricultural value chains for trade facilitation in agreement with stakeholders.
•     Conduct diagnostics of critical enabling infrastructure and policies for trade promotion.
•     Map the barriers, opportunities and develop dedicated investment proposals to attract private investors and align public private partnerships and their investment capacities.
5.    International Dialogue.
•     Contribute to the development of knowledge products, including analytical work and practical tools, related to trade and investment facilitation.
6.    Lead public-private workshops and designs strategies to strengthen the enabling environment for scaling up investments along the value chain.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements   

•     Advanced Degree in Business Management, Agribusiness, Agriculture Economics or related field. 
•     7 years of relevant experience in project management.
•     Working knowledge (level C) of English, 
•     National of Zimbabwe

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills:

•     Relevant experience in project management 
•     Relevance and extent of experience on agriculture value chain development and analysis.
•     Relevant experience in sanitary and phytosanitary requirements for trade.  
•     Proven experience in project management
•     Strong analytical and report-writing skills.
•     Relevance and extent of experience in working with government institutions, inter-governmental bodies and multidisciplinary teams.
•     Extent and relevance of experience in organizing bilateral and multi-stakeholder meetings and workshops.
 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION