Organizational Setting

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.
FAO is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO’s goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 Members (194 countries and the European Union), FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.
FAO Country Offices, working under overall corporate guidance and in line with the Strategic Framework, offer policy advice and support to countries in the mandated areas of FAO, facilitated through partnerships, resources and an active country programme to provide technical assistance, develop capacities and deliver core services while fully observing international standards of accountability to establish leadership and strengthen impact at the country level.
The offices deliver on the programmatic priorities of each country as agreed in their respective Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs) aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and ensure effective and efficient operations with adequate human and financial resources.
Specifically, FAO Country Offices:
•    advocate, inform and support policies and investments in the areas of FAO’s mandate;
•    provide technical assistance and deliver core services;
•     assist and catalyse partnership and resource mobilization activities to support agrifood systems transformation;
•    position FAO as the specialized/authoritative technical agency in food and agriculture and agrifood systems transformation; and
•    ensure risk-smart and accountable operations and management.

To support the implementation of the project “Smart Agro-ecological Transformation of Farming Systems towards Resilience and Sustainability in Middle and Coastal Zones of the Viet Nam Mekong Delta (STAR-FARM)”, FAO is seeking a motivated, dynamic candidate to serve as Agri-Business Development Specialist for this project. STAR-FARM is a 4-year project funded by the EU Delegation and led by Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (new name: Ministry of Agriculture and Environment) through its line agency – the International Cooperation Department. The project aims at creating an enabling environment for the establishment of sustainable value chains in the Mekong Delta, based on agroecological approaches. FAO will take the management and coordination role in the consortium implementing the project. Besides FAO, the project consortium will involve other research and development institutions including IRD, CIRAD, IPSARD, VAAS and Can Tho University.

The position is located in the FAO Country Office in Vietnam.

Reporting Lines

Under direct supervision of the Technical Lead Official (LTO) and the Assistant FAO Representative (Programme), National Technical Advisor and the day-to-day supervision of the National Project Coordinator – STAR-FARM Project.

Technical Focus

Agri-Business Development Specialist will provide the technical support for implementing activities in the project site with consortium members, develop sustainable business plans, training modules and conduct of the capacity building activities for beneficiaries’ groups

Tasks and responsibilities

The Agri-Business Development Specialist will be responsible for implementation of the project output 2.2 (Farmers-based Organizations/Cooperatives capacitated to link-up to promote fair, healthy and climate and environmentally friendly Value Chains) & Output 2.3 (Small and medium agri-businesses enabled to promote agro-ecological products / sustainability standards through inclusive business/marketing strategies.)

Specific responsibilities for the project:

•    Work closely with National Technical Advisor to providing technical support to the project teams and project consortium members to implementing the project activities and ensure the achievement of the projects’ objectives
•    Providing technical support to the annual review of project workplan and result framework including project’s expected outcomes, output and activities.
•    Support start-up & business development targeting ethnic minority (EM), women, and youth entrepreneurs by strengthening the capacity of beneficiaries group to reduce the loss and damages caused by natural disasters and reduce risks agriculture system through promotion of sustainable businesses.
–    Organize focus group discussions on needs to support start-ups created by women, EM and youth
–    Organize dedicated business development trainings for women and youth
–    Support the organization of local fair in Viet Nam Mekong Delta provinces of STAR-FARM project on Sustainable Entrepreneurship and AEVCs business models
–    Support for implementing small grant/ incubator for innovation on-farm and off-farm livelihoods projects targeting rural women and youth entrepreneurs.

•    Assist agricultural cooperatives to develop and implement sustainable business plans. By this plan, the farmers and farmer organization are expected to be more proactive in production and business planning, contribution to improving the sustainability in production and enhance their ability and opportunity in market connectivity
–    Organize 03 focus group discussions on needs for agricultural cooperatives to develop and implement sustainable business plans.
–    Support at least 24 cooperatives and small-farmers representative organizations to develop business plans for Smart Transformation of Agri-food Systems (STAS) value chain development.
–    Support the creation at least 08 young, women and EM cooperatives with a representative who could actively participate in the multi–Stakeholder Platforms (MSPs)

•    Providing the technical support to project consortium members to develop equitable and green value chains/business models  for value chain actors ; Participate in facilitate access to green investment finance for value chain actors; Support the consortium member in research, development, branding and marketing of agro-ecological products
•    Participate in review and provide technical comments for the reports and studies of consortium members
•    Contribute to the preparation of the project reports to the government and to the donor, midterm and final evaluation reports as defined in the project document
•    Other duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements  

•    The candidate must have an Advanced university degree in Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics, Agriculture, Rural Development or other related fields
•    At least eight (8) years of relevant working experience in agribusiness, agro-based livelihoods, value chain development
•    Working knowledge of English and Vietnamese
•    Vietnamese National

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
•    Extent and relevance of experience in Agribusiness, climate change and environment protection
•    Extent and relevance of experience in working in Mekong Delta region, Vietnam
•    Familiarity with agroecological, Agribusiness and value chain development

Selection Criteria 

•    Prior experience in working in agribusiness, sustainable ago business models, climate-smart approaches contributing to environmental sustainability
•    Extent and relevance of experience on capacity building, trainings for women, youth, farmers, cooperatives
•    Extent and relevance of experience working on gender equality, inclusive and sustainable agrifood value chain
•    Level of communication skills, good writing skills including ability to write concise technical reports in English is a strong asset