Agribusiness and Processing Specialistes – Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

Job Description

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device

• 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 person 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’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

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.

Through its Country Offices, or FAO Representations, FAO assists governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to address hunger and malnutrition, and provides technical support for the sustainable development of their agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors. The activities of the FAO Country Offices include design and implementation of country-tailored field programmes, liaison with local donor representatives, and active public awareness-raising and outreach activities related to FAO initiatives such as the World Food Day.

Reporting Lines

The  Agribusiness and processing (Agropocessing) Specialist will be under the overall supervision of FAO Representative in Malawi, functional supervision of the Head of Agribusiness and Food Systems Section, the Assistant FAO Representative, and direct supervision of the Project Support and Coordination Specialist

Technical Focus

The Agropocessing Specialist will serve as the focal point for FAO’s Women and Youth Empowerment Project in Mzimba and Kasungu districts, working closely with project staff from FAO, UNDP and a local partner (LoA agreement in Agroprocessing). The Specialist will be responsible for ensuring the effective implementation and coordination of the project’s activities.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Promote Advanced Technologies: Adopt and promote cost-effective technologies tailored for small-scale and cottage industries to improve processing efficiency.
•    Enhance Compliance with Standards: Collaborate with the Malawi Bureau of Standards to ensure all agroprocessed products meet safety and quality standards.
•    Develop Value Chains: Facilitate the development of value chains that focus on processed agricultural products, enhancing market access.
•    Establish Quality Control Mechanisms: Work with MBS to implement quality assurance processes that enhance product credibility in structured markets.
•    Support Market Access: Help processors navigate trade barriers and access both domestic and regional markets with effective strategies.
•    Encourage Product Diversification: Support the development of new processed products focusing on nutritional value and local preferences.
•    Guide on Value Addition Techniques: Create and distribute guides on methods like drying, fermentation, and packaging to extend shelf life and add value.
•    Promote Sustainable Packaging and Branding: Develop sustainable packaging that meets safety standards and appeals to target markets.
•    Facilitate Private Sector Engagement: Support aggregation and risk mitigation to boost private sector investment and participation in agroprocessing.
•    Organize Engagement and Review Sessions: Conduct regular district-level meetings and provide weekly updates to stakeholders to review progress and discuss challenges.
•    Monitor and Report on Project Outcomes: Regularly monitor partner activities and project reports to ensure timely and effective achievement of project goals.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements    

•    A Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Agricultural Processing, or a related field.
•    Minimum of five years of experience in supporting agroprocessing initiatives, particularly among small-scale and cottage industries.
•    Working knowledge (level C) of English and Chichewa is mandatory
•    National of Malawi

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills 

•    Proven experience in working with national standards bodies, such as the Malawi Bureau of Standards.
•    Strong background in project development and capacity building within the agroprocessing sector.
•    Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and Chichewa.
•    Deep understanding of food safety and quality assurance standards.
•    Ability to identify and promote appropriate processing technologies.
•    Experience in linking small-scale processors with structured markets.
•    Commitment to empowering women and youth in agroprocessing.
•    Strong organizational and multitasking skills.
•    Proficiency in MS Office programs, particularly Outlook and Teams.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
• Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/ 
• For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
•  Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions. 

HOW TO APPLY

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
•  We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance: https://fao.service-now.com/csp

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