Assistant Value Chain Specialist

Job Description

Title: Assistant Value Chain Specialist

Company Name: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Vacancy: --

Age: Na

Job Location: Anywhere in Bangladesh

Salary: --

Experience:

• At least 7 years
• The applicants should have experience in the following business area(s): Development Agency

Bachelor’s degree in economics, agriculture, agronomy studies, development studies, or related field.

• At least 7 years
• The applicants should have experience in the following business area(s): Development Agency

Minimum Requirements

• Minimum 7 years’ of experience in Value Chain and in other relevant areas, including minimum 3 years’ field experience

• Working knowledge of English (level C).

• National of Bangladesh.

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus

• Teamwork

• Communication

• Building Effective Relationships

• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Excellent understanding of the Value Chains (VCs) concept and experience in developing value chains in Bangladesh.

• Previous experience in working with the private sector in Bangladesh, specifically in agribusiness and rural development is an asset.

• Knowledge of marketing tools and techniques, and practice in designing marketing strategies for agriculture sector in Bangladesh.

• Experience in designing and delivering training for different types of audiences (e.g. government counterparts, implementation teams)

Organizational Unit: FABGD

Job Type: Non-staff opportunities

Type of Requisition: NPP (National Project Personnel)

Primary Location: Bangladesh

Duration: 5 months (with possibility of extension upon availability of resources)

Reporting Lines: Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Bangladesh and direct supervision of the Senior Technical Adviser (STA) and in coordination with the International Value Chain Specialist (VCS-I), the Assistant Value Chain Specialist (VCS-A) will provide technical guidance for either establishing new producer organizations (POs) or strengthening existing viable POs formed under the RAINS project.

Technical focus: The FAO TA team has adopted a 5-phase approach, with the following stages:

• 0 stage: Identification of POs by PMU and FAO

• 1 stage: SWOT analysis through VC roundtables

• Sub-step: Analysis and initial plan

• 2 stage: PMU and FAO use the analysis to go and help POs prioritize activities

• Sub-step: Preparation of Business Plan using RuralInvest

• 3 stage: Operationalization – Agreeing with POs on what support would be provided

• 4 stage: Provision of Training and equipment support

• Stages 0 and 1 will be completed by January 2026, and VCS-A is expected to support activities from Stage 2 onwards.

Tasks and responsibilities

The incumbent will support the implementation of project activities including (but not limited) to the following:

• Assist the STA and VCS-I in providing strategic, operational and technical advice to the RAINS Project Management Unit (PMU), district offices and upazila in the development and implementation of the project activities tailored to PO needs.

• Build on SWOT analyses from Stage 1 roundtables, with a focus on Opportunities and how to capitalize on them

• Support POs by helping to prioritize activities within respective value chains, building on the strengths of each.

• In cooperation with IFAD and PMU, review and implement findings of existing value chain analysis and intervention strategies for selected agricultural products to capitalize on opportunities and address identified weaknesses and threats.

• Develop a detailed plan for a participatory process for each of the value chains to address key policy, institutional, technology, efficacy of the chain, service provision and issues related to inclusion with relevant stakeholders

• Integrate digital solutions for marketing and support beneficiaries in improving digital literacy for participation in value chains

• Write activity reports and technical documents in English in line with FAO requirements

• Perform other related duties assigned by the STA for the smooth implementation of the project.