Chief Technical Adviser (Markets and Production)
Food and Agriculture
Organization (FAO)
Karachi (Pakistan)
Grade: Professional Project, Unspecified
Occupations: Management and Strategy
Close on 25 Nov 2021
JOB DESCRIPTION
Organizational Setting
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes
to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through its Strategic Framework by
supporting the transformation to more efficient, inclusive, resilient and
sustainable agri-food systems, for Better production, Better nutrition, a
Better Environment and a Better life, leaving no one behind.
The
main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by an FAO Representative,
is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to
achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to develop the
agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental
and natural resources in a sustainable manner.
This position is located in Karachi, Pakistan and requires
frequent travel to project areas in Sindh and Balochistan.
FAO is a contract UN partner of the International
Trade Centre (ITC) who manages the EU-funded project 'Growth for Rural
Advancement and Sustainable Progress' (GRASP). The Pakistan Poverty Alleviation
Fund (PPAF) is also an implementing partner. The GRASP is a six-year project
designed to reduce poverty in Pakistan by strengthening small-scale
agribusinesses in two provinces: Balochistan and Sindh. It will help small and
medium-sized enterprises in horticulture and livestock become more competitive
by making improvements at all levels of the value chain. FAO is leading the
work on the development of local value chains and upgrading and improving their
capacity for accessing markets, developing improved productivity through
inclusive value chain approaches.
Reporting Lines
The Chief Technical Advisor reports to the FAO Representative (FAOR) in
Pakistan and works in close collaboration with the Deputy FAOR, Assistant FAORs
(Programme and Administration), and under the technical supervision of the Lead
Technical Officer of the project in Bangkok.
Technical Focus
Leadership and technical expertise for the planning, development, and
implementation of an EU funded GRASP project in partnership with ITC and PPAF;
in accordance with the FAO’s Strategic Objectives and in alignment with the
Country Programming Framework (CPF);
Leads the development of the detailed project and related program work plans,
ensures timely development and implementation of the GRASP project;
Agricultural value chain development, private sector engagement, agribusiness
support, exposure of private/public sector partnerships with a broad range of
skills and capabilities in the management, team building and operations;
Provides technical and skills development leadership and contributes to
identify and pilot innovative initiatives in value chains, agribusiness, market
linkages and inclusive food systems in the province;
Monitors supervise and guide the timely execution of project activities
ensuring in particular close working relations with government officials, line
departments/authorities, and providing general supervision of the project teams
and staff in the Provinces as required.
Key Results
Leadership and technical expertise for the planning, development, and implementation
of Programmes of work, projects, related products, and services in accordance
with FAO Strategic Framework.
Key Functions
Leads the development, implementation, and evaluation on technical issues of
assigned programmes/projects; directs the review of relevant documents and
reports; identifies priorities, liaises with relevant parties; identifies and
initiates follow-up actions;
Coordinates programmes and reviews the assessment of issues and trends for the
implementation of programmes and projects as well as the preparation of impact
evaluation or equivalent studies;
Supervises preparation of various written outputs, e.g. background papers,
analysis, substantial sections of reports as well as studies, and inputs to
publications;
Directs substantive support to consultative meetings and conferences, to
include the proposition of agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation
of documents and presentations;
Manages outreach activities; designs and conducts training workshops, seminars;
and makes presentations on assigned topics/activities;
Leads field missions, including the provision of guidance to external consultants,
government officials, and other parties;
Provides advice to develop policies and strategies as well as national
protocols and guidelines for projects with specific domains related to FAO's
work.
Specific Functions
- Leads the implementation of the GRASP project
activities, contributes to the preparation of detailed annual work plans,
targets and budget estimations according to needs; is responsible for ensuring
that all the development goals and project targets allocated to provincial
teams are met on time;
- Provides technical advice in the review of
relevant documents and reports; identifies priorities, liaises with relevant
parties including GRASP project offices in Islamabad, Sindh and Balochistan;
identifies follow-up actions;
- Coordinates project-related activities and reviews
the assessments of issues and trends for timely implementation and preparation
of impact evaluation or equivalent studies;
- Forms leads and supervises GRASP project
personnel in the provinces;
- Supervises preparation of various written outputs,
e.g. background papers, analyses, substantial sections of reports and studies,
inputs to publications and submission to ITC and EU as required;
- Contributes to consultative and other meetings,
conferences, including proposals for agenda topics, identifying participants,
preparation of documents and presentations;
- Participates in activities such as structuring of
training workshops, seminars; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities;
- Oversees and engages the project specialists to identify specific value chain opportunities relevant to the provinces and leads detailed assessments of the potential and additional resources required to realize viable support and related business plans and models;
- Oversees and engages the national programme staff to
structure grant interventions for inclusive value chain development in their
respective regions, ensuring conformity to donor and FAO standards and quality;
- Identifies prevailing legislative or regulatory
constraints impeding the development of the sector, or subsectors, and designs
interventions accordingly;
- Conducts periodical reviews and suggests and
implements corrective measures;
- Liaises with the Provincial Focal Points and
relevant Departments and Ministries in the Federal and Provincial governments,
PPAF, international and national research institutes, FAO, and other technical
assistance and develop partnerships to ensure co-ordination and collaboration
required for the implementation of the project;
- Contributes to resource mobilization in the
context of the Country Program Framework;
- Performs other related duties as required.
CANDIDATES
WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
- Advanced university degree in agriculture production/economics, agro-food processing, agribusiness, rural development, or relevant disciplines;
- Ten years of relevant experience in leading agro-food project management, value chains and agribusiness development, agriculture and rural development;
- Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).
- Results Focus
- Leading, Engaging and Empowering
- Communication
- Partnering and Advocating
- Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
- Strategic Thinking
Technical/Functional Skills
- Work experience in more than one location or area of work,
particularly in field positions is essential;
- Relevance and extent of experience with
international and development organizations in agro-food project management,
agriculture, and rural development;
- Relevance and extent of experience in leading the
timely implementation of large scale agro-food projects and working with
national and provincial level authorities, the local private sector, and
multidisciplinary teams;
- The extent of experience in the provision of technical and
skills development, identification and piloting of innovative initiatives
in the area of inclusive value chains, agribusiness, and market linkages;
- Relevance and extent of experience in working with
multidisciplinary teams, local producers groups and their associations,
enterprises, enabling and organizing improved agriculture production and
agro-food market access and development;
- Extent and relevance of experience in promoting
gender inclusion in project interventions for increased income and employment
generation enhanced productivity and profitability of agro-food producer
groups and enterprises;
- Demonstrated ability to mobilize resources and engage in productive partnerships.
To view the complete job description and apply to this position, click "Apply Now" below.
Comments
Post a Comment