Horticulture Trade and Market Engagement Specialist

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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 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

Organizational Setting

In close collaboration with the Directorate-General of Horticulture of the Ministry of Agriculture, FAO Indonesia is providing technical assistance through the TCP modality to revolutionize Indonesia’s banana industry with eco-friendly methods, modern GAP and GHP, improved nutritional value, resilient ecosystems, and sustainable prosperity for farmers and communities of the banana sector. The primary activities are empowering farmers through comprehensive training in sustainable farming practices for improved banana cultivation, enhancing post-harvest handling practices to preserve banana quality and minimize losses, and strengthening international market engagement to accelerate revenue growth and increase market diversification.

Strategic engagement with stakeholders from the export destination countries, particularly Singapore and China, will be pursued. This engagement will focus on building strong partnerships with international traders, import inspection agencies of the targeted countries, and critical banana sector players. By establishing this engagement, the project aims to catalyze international market access for Indonesian bananas and ensure that the produce meets the stringent quality and regulatory standards required by these markets. These efforts are expected to lay the groundwork for sustainable international trade and open new revenue streams for Indonesia’s banana farmers.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative Programme (A-FAOR Programme), Lead Technical Officer at FAO-RAP, and OCOP secretariat, the incumbent will be responsible for catalyzing the partnership of Indonesia’s lady finger banana producers with international traders in Singapore and China.

Technical Focus

International trade and market engagement for horticultural products, Singaporean and Chinese horticultural product import regulations, Singaporean and Chinese banana value chain and market.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Collect critical information and guidance on market requirements, implied regulations, and operational procedures for the Singaporean and Chinese banana markets. This information includes ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreements and ASEAN Free Trade Agreements to leverage lower tariffs.
• Review and analyze Indonesian banana export standards and certification system.
• After collecting critical information and current export standards and certification system, develop a comprehensive but concise guiding booklet or roadmap outlining specific requirements for farmers to tailor their practices to increase export compliance to the targeted market.
• Engage with industry experts, businesses, import inspection agencies, and key stakeholders of the banana sector in Singapore and China.
• Facilitate international trade and market engagement information dissemination workshop to connect and assess the need for future collaborations between banana farmers with industry experts, businesses, and key stakeholders of the banana sector in Singapore and China.
• Provide technical assistance to enable banana farmers to comply with import regulations in the importing market.
• Prepare a final report and obtain technical clearance from the LTO of this project

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree and preferably higher degree in international agribusiness and trade, agrifood economics and trade, and/or related area.
• Ten years of experience in international trading horticulture products for the Singaporean and Chinese markets.
• Working knowledge of English.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience in international trade for prominent organizations, particularly for horticultural products.
• Extent and relevance of experience in catalyzing market engagement and business contracts for international horticultural products trade.
• Extent and relevance of experience in analyzing export-import standards and compliance

Selection Criteria

• Familiarity with the Singaporean and Chinese import regulations and requirements for horticulture products
• Familiarity with the stakeholders of the Singaporean and Chinese horticulture sector.
• Working experience in international banana trades will be an advantage.
• Working experience in international trade for Indonesia’s horticulture products will be an advantage.

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency

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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