Business Development Specialist

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 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.

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

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

Source: https://jobs.fao.org/careersection/fao_external/jobdetail.ftl?job=2500905