Technical Adviser (Agricultural Marketing Expert)

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• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
• 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.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.

Organizational Setting
The Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa (RNE) is responsible for leading FAO's response to regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development through the identification, planning and implementation of FAO's priority activities in the region. It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, identifies priority areas of action for the Organization in the region and, in collaboration with divisions and offices at headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO's strategic response to regional priorities. RNE also advises on the incorporation of regional priorities into the Organization's Programme of Work and Budget and implements approved programmes and projects in the region, monitors the level of programme implementation and draws attention to problems and deficiencies. RNE develops and maintains relations with region-wide institutions including the Regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs). The Regional Office supports regional policy dialogue on food security, agriculture and rural development issues, facilitates the emergence of regional partnerships, and supports capacity development and resource mobilization for food security, agriculture and rural development in the region.

The position is located in the RNE Operations Branch (RNER) in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Reporting Lines
The Technical Adviser (Agricultural Marketing Expert) reports to the Chief Technical Adviser under the overall guidance of the Programme Coordinator in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Technical Focus
Capacity development and knowledge management for agricultural marketing.

Key Results
Comprehensive technical and policy expertise to support technical cooperation-related programmes, projects, products and services in accordance with the FAO Strategic Framework.

Key Functions
• Leads the development, implementation and evaluation of assigned technical cooperation-related programmes/projects; reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies priorities, liaises with relevant parties; identifies follow-up actions.
• Coordinates technical cooperation activities and programme-related activities, reviews the assessments of issues and trends for their implementation and leads the preparation of impact evaluation or equivalent studies.
• Supervises preparation of various written outputs, e.g. background papers, analyses, substantial sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications.
• 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.
• Leads field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties.
• Provides advice regarding the development of policies and strategies related to technical cooperation, as well as regional, subregional and national protocols and guidelines for projects with specific domains related to FAO's work.

Specific Functions
• Undertakes situation analysis to identify opportunities and constraints facing and strategies used by smallholders and agri-entrepreneurs in marketing of their produce.
• Supports the establishment and development of local livestock, subtropical fruit, fish, rain-fed crops and honey marketing centers and the formation of micro- and small-medium enterprises involved in fishing, processing and marketing, in particular women-only enterprises.
• Explores and establishes geographical indication and develops effective branding strategies for Arabic coffee, rose and honey and develops low-cost packaging options for rose flowers and train small rose producers on them and prepare standards, quality assurance and safety guidelines for agri-food products.
• Leads the assessment of the current status of contract farming and other direct marketing methods as implemented in Saudi Arabia and develops appropriate contract farming models and other direct marketing strategies for rain-fed cereals, beekeeping and honey, subtropical fruits, Arabica coffee, small fisheries and rural aquaculture producers, small livestock herders and rose small growers.
• Designs and establishes a national agriculture market and marketing information management system.
• Leads formulation and implementation of training and capacity development programmes on the development of marketing strategies, including development and implementation of training programmes to strengthen business and marketing skills of smallholders.
• Leads development of demand driven and responsive partnerships to benefit Saudi Arabia from proven innovations and good practices in the South and the North for agricultural marketing.
• Leads development and dissemination of information and knowledge products for agricultural marketing.
• Reviews and validates the list of identified technical experts for agricultural marketing, prepares their Terms of Reference and manages their recruitment.
• Prepares quarterly and semi-annual project component progress reports and identifies lessons learnt, constraints and issues that require timely resolution and corrective actions and presents recommendations for improving the performance.

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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree in agricultural economics, development economics, rural sociology, food security, nutrition, sustainable agriculture (including livestock, forestry and fisheries), plant production/breeding, agronomy or any related field.
• Seven years of relevant experience in technical cooperation-related activities, policy advice and analysis relating to food and nutrition security, agriculture and rural development, monitoring and evaluation of policies and programmes.
• Working knowledge (proficient - level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate - level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

Competencies
• Results Focus
• Team Work
• Communication
• Building effective relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills
• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions, is desirable.
• Relevance and extent of experience in technical cooperation's related activities, policy advice and analysis relating to food and nutrition security, agriculture and rural development, monitoring and evaluation of policies and programmes.
• Relevance and extent of experience in the establishment of agricultural markets, marketing institutions and systems and development of marketing strategies.
• Relevance and extent of experience in working with inter-governmental bodies and multidisciplinary teams.
• Relevance and extent of experience in agricultural marketing assignments.
• Relevance and extent of experience in the implementation and management of technical assistance for capacity strengthening in the field of agricultural marketing institutions and strategies.
• Demonstrated capacity to coordinate country level activities and to organize and lead consultative processes involving several partner institutions and stakeholders.
• Relevance and extent of experience in the development of results frameworks, logical framework, project work plans and budget.
• Limited knowledge (intermediate – level B) of Arabic is considered a strong asset.