Agribusiness Development and Marketing Specialist
Organizational Context
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized agency of the UN dedicated to achieving food security for all and leading international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO supports the transformation to more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems globally. Working in over 130 countries, FAO Country Offices provide policy advice, technical assistance, and capacity development, aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework. In the Philippines, FAO has partnered with the government and local organizations for over four decades to address challenges in agriculture, fisheries, and forestry.
Job Purpose
This role focuses on supporting sustainable enterprise development among farmers, fisherfolk, and women-led organizations in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan Province. The specialist will provide technical support for livelihoods restoration and diversification, encompassing beneficiary profiling, market analysis, capacity development, food processing, product development, branding, marketing, and business plan preparation. Key activities include establishing market linkages, monitoring livelihood grants, coordinating with financial and insurance providers, and documenting best practices and lessons learned to foster resilient agrifood systems and improve livelihoods.
Responsibilities
Develop and implement tools for profiling and validating beneficiaries, particularly Women-Led Organizations (WLOs), small farmers, and fisherfolk affected by disasters, with a focus on gender and social inclusion. Conduct market and value chain analyses for priority agricultural and fishery commodities to identify opportunities for value addition and enterprise development. Lead training needs assessments and design/facilitate training sessions on climate-smart agriculture, aquaculture, food processing, product development, branding, and marketing. Assist community-based organizations in developing simple business plans covering product development, market access, financial analysis, and sustainability. Support product improvement through guidance on quality control, packaging, and branding. Establish and strengthen market linkages by connecting producers with buyers and facilitating participation in trade fairs. Monitor the use and impact of livelihood grants and startup support. Coordinate with microfinance and insurance providers to enhance financial resilience. Document and share good practices, success stories, and lessons learned.
Work Experience
A minimum of 5 years of relevant practical field experience in agricultural projects, agri-enterprise development, value chains, or rural entrepreneurship is required. This experience should align with the educational background in agribusiness, agricultural economics, business management, or marketing.
Skills
Key skills include results focus, teamwork, communication, building effective relationships, and knowledge sharing. The ability to work under pressure in complex environments and adapt to diverse teams is crucial. Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Filipino are required. Proficiency in standard office software (MS Office) is necessary. Willingness to travel to project sites is expected, and knowledge of local dialects is an advantage.