Agribusiness Development and Marketing Specialist

Organizational Setting

FAO’s approach to development assistance in Mindanao focuses on supporting the rehabilitation of agriculture and fisheries-based livelihoods, accelerating agriculture-based enterprises and increasing access to sustainable energy, and resilience to risk in municipalities affected by natural disasters and conflict.

Reporting Lines

The Agri-business and Marketing Specialist will report to the Assistant FAOR for Programme.

Technical Focus

The Agri-business Development and Marketing Specialist is expected to support the capacity building of community-based organizations (CBOs) particularly on agribusiness development, marketing strategies and value chain.

During the initial three (3) months, the incumbent is expected to deliver the following knowledge products\:

• Report on identified gaps and bottlenecks using data from existing value chain studies of identified high value commodities
• List of potential buyers and suppliers with details on contact numbers, location, commodities, among others
• Report on status and updates on the resilient agricultural livelihoods
• List of key players, private sector, lead government agencies necessary in crafting an inclusive value chain strategy

On the succeeding months of the initial contract, the incumbent will deliver the following activities and knowledge products\:

• Consultation workshops with CBO leaders and members, and identified key players in the value chain
• Report on facilitation activities such as market linking or market encounters to improve the access to markets of project beneficiaries and in supporting the participation of CBOs, beneficiaries, exhibits and market mission

Tasks and responsibilities

Specifically, the Agri-business Development and Marketing Specialist will undertake the following tasks\:

• Review existing value chain analysis in Maguindanao particularly among the 5 municipalities and identify gaps in the value chain and conduct market studies;
• Review past and on-going programmes on agribusiness development to benchmark practices and identify approaches to strengthen and enhance private sector participation to scale up identified enterprise models, emerging ones and other potential market-led enterprises appropriate for areas affected by natural and human-induced disasters;
• General a list of potential buyers and suppliers for the validated resilient agricultural livelihoods identified among the 5 municipalities;
• Provide capacity building, mentoring/coaching sessions with CBOs on vegetable production, financial management, product packaging and labelling, costing and pricing, marketing management and e-commerce in coordination with relevant government agencies including Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform, Ministry of Trade, Investments and Tourism (MTIT), Cooperative and Social Enterprise Authority and Provincial and Municipal local government units and other key counterparts;
• Conduct consultation workshops with CBO leaders and members and identified key players in the value chain;
• Conduct activities that will enhance the CBOs’ and farmer beneficiaries’ access to markets by ensuring that their products reach market outlets and that they participate in trade fairs and exhibitions. This entails linking the CBOs to concerned government agencies such as the MTIT of BARMM and Department of Trade and Industry of adjacent regions as well as relevant business partners and local market actors (consolidators, business owners);
• Carry out any other relevant duties within his/her technical competence as may be requested by FAO.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree (master’s degree preferred) in agriculture, rural development or other relevant disciplines
• At least five (5) years of relevant experience in agri-based livelihoods and demonstrable experience in development projects in the Philippines and essentially in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
• Working knowledge (level C) of English and Filipino and/or any dialect in Maguindanao is an advantage
• A National of the Philippines

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work and in agri-enterprise development and management
• Familiarity with Women’s Economic Empowerment
• Previous engagement with the women and youth groups in the BARMM is an advantage
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Filipino
• General knowledge and skills in the use of standard office software, such as MS Office (Word, Excel, Power Point).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION