Agribusiness Finance Officer

Organizational Context

The FAO Investment Centre (CFI) provides investment and finance solutions to enhance agrifood systems, operating in over 120 countries. It collaborates with governments, financial institutions, the private sector, and research bodies to improve agrifood investment quality and quantity. Key areas include strategic investment planning, public and private investment, and innovative finance, supported by knowledge sharing and capacity development programs.

Job Purpose

The Agribusiness Finance Officer will deliver investment and finance support solutions by providing technical expertise and capacity development assistance. This role involves collaborating with stakeholders to transform agrifood systems in line with the FAO Strategic Framework. The officer will assist governments in identifying and preparing investment initiatives in food security, agriculture, rural development, natural resource management, and agro-processing. Responsibilities include leading multidisciplinary teams for project preparation, implementation support, and final evaluations, as well as developing studies, strategies, and investment plans. The role also focuses on fostering inclusive and sustainable food systems and delivering capacity development programs.

Responsibilities

The Agribusiness Finance Officer will lead multidisciplinary teams in preparing and implementing investment projects, focusing on agribusiness development, value chain analysis, agrifinance, risk management, and private sector engagement. This involves assessing investment constraints along value chains, including market access, trade policies, risk management, and logistics. The officer will identify and analyze agricultural investment policy issues, proposing agribusiness and finance-related solutions. Key tasks include assessing and addressing constraints to finance access, developing innovative and blended finance solutions to attract private capital, and contributing to analytical work and knowledge products on agribusiness and agrifinance. Engagement with public and private stakeholders to structure investable opportunities and support financing ecosystems is crucial, alongside developing financing strategies and investment pipelines.

Work Experience

Seven years of relevant experience is required, specifically in the practical application of agribusiness finance, agribusiness investments, and the formulation/implementation of agrifood investment and finance solutions in developing countries. Experience in more than one work location or area, particularly in field positions, is beneficial. Experience in technical fields such as rural finance, value-chain development, business planning, agriculture marketing, blended finance, and private sector development is also relevant.

Skills

Proficiency in English (level C) and intermediate knowledge of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) are required. Experience in agribusiness financing through local financial institutions is an asset. Experience in multidisciplinary teams for strategy preparation, sector studies, and the formulation, implementation support, or evaluation of agrifood investment and finance solutions is important. Specific experience in private sector investment operations and with development partners like the World Bank or IFAD is advantageous. Knowledge of the Latin America and Caribbean region is a plus. Demonstrated experience in dealing with government officials, development partners, and private sector stakeholders, and in writing technical reports in English, is essential. Working knowledge of Spanish (level C) is an asset.

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