Agribusiness Finance Officer

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FAO's commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the Agenda through FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.
Organizational Setting The FAO Investment Centre (CFI) provides investment and finance solutions that lead to more efficient, sustainable, inclusive and resilient agrifood systems.
Working in over countries, the Centre provides a full suite of investment and finance support to FAO Members.
It partners with governments, international and national financing institutions, the private sector and farmers, research institutions and academia to improve the quality and quantity of agrifood investment.
The Centre's four main areas of work include support to strategic investment planning and policy, public investment, private investment, and innovative finance.
These are complemented by the knowledge for investment and capacity development for investment programmes that serve to share knowledge, learn and build capacities at country level.
For additional information on the FAO Investment Centre, its activities, partners and the organizational structure please visit the following.
The position is part of the Latin America and the Caribbean Service (CFIF) of the FAO Investment Centre (CFI) and is located in the FAO Subregional Office for Mesoamerica (SLM) in Panama City, Panama.
Reporting Lines The Agribusiness Finance Officer reports to the Chief, Latin America and the Caribbean Service (CFIF) of the FAO Investment Centre (CFI) and works in close collaboration with the FAO Subregional Office for Mesoamerica (SLM) in Panama City, Panama.
Technical Focus Provide analytical and technical support on agribusiness and agribusiness finance in the context of public and private investment operations.
This includes technical focus on value chain development, agrifood trade and markets, agrifinance, agricultural risk management, and private sector investment.
Key Results Delivering investment and finance support solutions through the provision of technical expertise/assistance and support to capacity development, in collaboration with country stakeholders and cooperating partners, to achieve impact at scale in the transformation of agrifood systems within the scope of the FAO Strategic Framework.
Key Functions Participates in, and eventually leads multidisciplinary teams to assist governments in the identification and preparation of investment and finance support initiatives in the fields of food security, agriculture, rural development, natural resource management and agro-processing, and participates in pre-appraisal and appraisal missions.
Participates in, and eventually leads multidisciplinary teams for the implementation support and the preparation of final evaluation of investment and finance support solutions.
Provides technical expertise for the preparation of food and agriculture, rural development, natural resource management and agro-processing studies and strategies, in the formulation of national sector and/or sub-sector investment plans and programmes.
Supports the development of inclusive and sustainable food systems involving producers, their organizations, other private sector actors and civil society organizations and governments.
Formulates and delivers capacity development initiatives in the areas of food and agriculture, rural development, natural resource management and agro-processing investment support to government staff, and non-state actors and private sector organizations.
Prepares documents in accordance with FAO, governments and financing partners' requirements.
Provides support in task organization, selection of consultants, preparation of terms of reference and in ensuring the quality of outputs.
Promotes international cooperation and collaboration leading to new investment opportunities and cooperative agreements, advocates best practices and effective policy dialogue and provides technical expertise at international meetings.
Establishes, promotes and maintains relationships with relevant Strategic Programmes, FAO technical units and Decentralized Offices in order to ensure best synergies between investment, policy and innovation work in support to Members.
Participates in resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Corporate Strategy.
Provides guidance and advice to junior staff.
Specific Functions Participates in, or leads multidisciplinary teams to support the preparation and implementation of investment projects and programmes, providing technical inputs on agribusiness development, value chain analysis, agrifinance, risk management and private sector engagement.
Assesses constraints to investments along selected value chains, in relation to private sector engagement, market access, trade and related policies, risk management systems, logistics, quality, sanitary and phytosanitary, among others.
Identifies and analyses agricultural investment-related policy issues and provides agribusiness and finance related solutions.
Assesses constraints to access to finance across selected value chains and identifies solutions to unlock financing, including strengthening linkages with financial institutions, improving bankability of investments, and addressing risk perceptions.
Supports the design and application of innovative and blended finance solutions, including guarantees, concessional financing, risk-sharing facilities and other de-risking instruments aimed at crowding in private capital.
Contributes to analytical work and knowledge products on agribusiness, agrifinance, and private sector investment, including lessons learned from international experience and practical tools to support project design and implementation.
Engages with public and private stakeholders, including financial institutions, investors, agribusinesses and farmer organizations, to support the structuring of investable opportunities and strengthen financing ecosystems.
Supports the development of financing strategies and investment pipelines, identifying priority opportunities to scale up investment and mobilize private sector participation in agrifood systems.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________ CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING Minimum Requirements Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in economics, agricultural economics, agribusiness, finance, agriculture, agro-industry, business administration or a closely related field.
Seven years of relevant experience in the practical application of agribusiness finance (particularly as it relates to financial institutions), agribusiness investments and, more generally, formulation and/or implementation of agrifood investment and finance solutions in developing countries.
Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of another official FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).
Competencies Results Focus Teamwork Communication Building Effective Relationships Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement Technical/Functional Skills Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions.
Extent and relevance of experience in technical fields related to agribusiness finance, rural finance, value-chain development and analysis, business planning, agriculture marketing, blended finance and private sector development.
Specific experience in agribusiness financing through local financial institutions is considered an asset.
Extent and relevance of experience in participating in multidisciplinary teams for the preparation of strategies and sector studies as well as formulation, implementation support or evaluation of agrifood investment and finance support solutions, with a focus on agrifinance, value chain development, agribusiness and private sector investment operations.
Specific experience in private sector investment operations is considered an advantage.
Extent and relevance of experience in the design, implementation support and evaluation of investment operations with FAO's main development partners, in particular the World Bank, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), regional and local financial institutions.
Knowledge of the context, as well as partners and institutions of the Latin America and the Caribbean region would be an important asset.
Demonstrated experience in dealing with government officials, development partners and private sector stakeholders.
Demonstrated experienceto write technical reports in English.
Working knowledge (proficiency – level C) of Spanish would be an asset.
_________________________________________________________________ FAO staff are expected to adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.
_________________________________________________________________ GENERAL INFORMATION Extension of fixed term appointments is based on certification of performance and availability of funds FAO reserves the right not to make an appointment.
Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.
CONDITIONS OF SERVICE A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered.
For information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, click on the following link: Other benefits, subject to eligibility, include: • Dependency allowances • Rental subsidy • Education grant for children • Home leave travel • 30 working days of annual leave per year • Pension fund entitlements under the UN Joint Staff Pension Fund • International health insurance; optional life insurance • Disability protectionFAO encourages a positive workplace culture to increase inclusivity and diversity within its workforce.
FAO applies measures in which all staff members contribute equally and in full to the work and development of the Organization.
This includes: • elements of family-friendly policies • flexible working arrangements • standards of conduct.
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