National Agriculture and Value Chain Specialist

Organizational Context

The "Enabling Sustainable Production Landscapes in Eastern Highlands and Western Highlands Provinces for Biodiversity, Human Livelihoods and Well-being" project, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF-7) and implemented by FAO in partnership with the Conservation and Environment Protection Authority (CEPA), aims to conserve biodiversity and promote sustainable livelihoods in Papua New Guinea. It addresses challenges from unsustainable land-use, climate change, and weak value chains through an integrated landscape approach. Component 2 focuses on strengthening agricultural and forest-based value chains and enhancing market opportunities for farming families and producer organizations.

Job Purpose

This role provides technical expertise in sustainable agriculture, agribusiness, and value chain development, including assessments, market systems, and capacity building. The specialist will support gender-responsive, biodiversity-friendly, and climate-resilient farming systems and livelihood interventions to improve market access and conservation in Papua New Guinea. Key responsibilities include ensuring the technical soundness and timely execution of Component 2 activities, which focus on scaling up landscape-level actions for integrated conservation and sustainable supply chain development, supporting the project team and engaging with beneficiary communities.

Responsibilities

Assess gender-sensitive, biodiversity-friendly, and climate-resilient agricultural and forestry practices and livelihood approaches in designated areas. Review lessons learned on farming systems and gender-sensitive practices within conservation zones. Analyze agriculture and forestry markets and value chains in the Highlands Region, focusing on project landscapes. Support the preparation and implementation of value chain baseline assessments and market system studies. Develop concept notes for sustainable livelihood initiatives based on survey reports. Facilitate stakeholder consultations, workshops, and training on sustainable agricultural practices and value chain development. Identify value chain gaps, constraints, and opportunities, developing actionable improvement plans. Conduct detailed value chain analyses using FAO's methodology, mapping actors and identifying systemic constraints, market opportunities, and inclusion gaps. Engage with local stakeholders, agripreneurs, service providers, NGOs, CBOs, and local governments. Develop the capacity of partner organizations to deliver extension services. Support agripreneurs in developing grant proposals and business interventions. Coordinate joint work planning and field activities with the FAO LEED programme and other agencies. Manage project risks and perform other related duties.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of relevant professional experience is required, with a proven track record in implementing projects related to agriculture, agribusiness, and value chain development. This includes at least five years of demonstrated experience in capacity building and training delivery specifically within Papua New Guinea. Experience in more than one work location or area within agriculture, agribusiness, and value chain development is beneficial.

Skills

Key skills include results focus, teamwork, communication, building effective relationships, and knowledge sharing. Essential technical skills involve extensive experience in agriculture, agribusiness, value chain assessments, analysis, improvement planning, market systems development, agribusiness planning, enterprise development, and project implementation. Proficiency in gender-responsive and youth-inclusive value chain development, promoting biodiversity-friendly and climate-resilient approaches, and capacity building is crucial. Familiarity with farming systems and value chains in Papua New Guinea, including experience with government institutions, producer organizations, and development partners, is also important.

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