Agrifood Systems Specialist (SC 7)
Organizational Context
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) supports countries in achieving the 2030 Agenda through its Strategic Framework, promoting the transformation of agrifood systems for efficiency, inclusivity, resilience, and sustainability. In Eswatini, FAO is assisting the Government via TCP/SWA/4101 to advance the national agrifood systems transformation agenda. This involves enhancing the investment and policy implementation environment, reviewing the National Agriculture Investment Plan, mobilizing capital through FAO’s Hand-in-Hand Initiative, and supporting bankable project proposals.
Job Purpose
The Junior Agrifood Systems Specialist will serve as the national technical coordination and delivery-support expert for agrifood systems and FAO’s Hand-in-Hand Initiative in Eswatini. This role involves coordinating daily engagement with national institutions and stakeholders, overseeing project outputs and milestones, and supporting agrifood systems investment programming, analytics, and planning. The specialist will facilitate the review and update of the National Agriculture Investment Plan in alignment with the Kampala CAADP Declaration and Strategy, and provide research, data, and coordination support for the Eswatini Agriculture Development Fund transition under FAO guidance.
Responsibilities
Prepare project inception notes, workplans, coordination plans, stakeholder maps, and data requirement matrices. Serve as the primary national coordination focal point, liaising between FAO, the Ministry of Agriculture, project teams, government bodies, partners, and consultants. Maintain an integrated results and delivery tracker for all project outputs, indicators, activities, and deadlines. Coordinate products and processes for strategic engagement, bankable concept notes, proposals, investment cases, matchmaking, and investment forums. Support national technical meetings, consultations, trainings, and investment engagements by preparing agendas, briefing materials, presentations, and minutes. Maintain an overview of national agrifood systems priorities, investments, policies, and partnerships. Compile CAADP implementation guidance and support the review of the National Agriculture Investment Plan. Act as the operational focal point for FAO’s Hand-in-Hand Initiative, coordinating country inputs, data, analytics, and investment planning. Prepare investment cases, country investment plans, and investor briefs. Maintain the national investment pipeline and partnership tracker. Conduct literature and policy reviews, and support research for project deliverables. Develop and administer data collection tools, organize interviews, and prepare progress reports. Facilitate engagement with various market actors and prepare final project reports and handover documentation.
Work Experience
Requires a minimum of two years of relevant experience with an advanced university degree, or four years of relevant experience with a university degree. Experience should be in agrifood systems, agricultural development, agribusiness, agricultural investment planning, research, or project implementation. Proficiency in English (Level C) and legal residency or citizenship in Eswatini are necessary.
Skills
Key competencies include Results Focus, Teamwork, Communication, Building Effective Relationships, and Knowledge Sharing. Essential skills involve extensive experience in supporting agricultural programs, investment frameworks, research, data collection, analysis, and technical report writing. Experience in agribusiness development, value chains, market systems, concept notes, proposals, and resource mobilization is crucial. Proficiency in engaging with commodity associations, producer organizations, financial institutions, and private sector actors is required. Experience in project cycle management, stakeholder facilitation, and multi-partner coordination is necessary. Familiarity with agricultural investment planning, agrifood systems transformation, and FAO’s Hand-in-Hand Initiative is important. Excellent communication, analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills, with proficiency in Microsoft Office and data management tools, are expected. Working knowledge of Siswati is an asset.