International Market Access, Trade And Value Chain Consultant

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• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture.
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply;
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination　　
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality

Organizational Setting

The Suriname Agriculture Market Access project (SAMAP) executed by the FAO with EU resources, aims at increased, more competitive and safer production of selected crops through and enabling environment and enhanced capacities of private sector and institutions. Output 1.1 of SAMAP seeks to improve Market Access for small scale farmers and agribusinesses through targeted loans and investments from financial institutions, and access to enhanced financial instruments, including guaranteed back loans through a Guarantee Fund.
Component 1 of SAMAP provides resources for Value Chain and market analysis and trainings at various levels, from decision makers to advisory service providers to farmers and attempts to build capacities in applying a Value Chain development approach to analyse selected crop Value Chains, make informed decisions on priority activities for development and sustainably supply new markets. A focus of this work is on the entry requirements for target markets, overseas and in-country. Upgrading strategies and actions plans to stimulate efficient and sustainable linkages between markets, agribusinesses, and farmers and their organizations have been developed and multi-stakeholder Value Chain platforms (VCPs) have been established for roots and tubers, fruit and vegetables with export potential and non-timber forest products (NTFP) Value Chains. These strategies will be inclusive of women, youth, small-scale farmers, farmer groups and private sector companies.
The next step is to enable these VCPs to supply produce and Value-added products profitably to markets. To do so more detailed information on the market entry requirements of the different target markets for Surinamese produce has to be established through end market analysis, linkages with prospective buyers and Market Access / export plans. Furthermore, capacity building and mentoring for VCP members, in particular MGF Grantees and anchor firms is needed to translate the information into action and facilitate the exports of produce. Multiple issues have to be addressed simultaneously in order to realize intended exports and make this sustainable over time. This includes enabling VCP to understand market requirements and how to generate this information themselves, how to meet these requirements and how to set up lasting linkages between the producers and the agribusinesses responsible for exporting fresh or processed food products. Besides agribusiness and governance skills to enable business-to-business deals / contracts, ensure effective participation of Surinamese producers/exporters in trade missions and negotiations, and understanding other technical / market requirements (i.e. GAP, certification, and food safety standards) have to be addressed. An experienced senior consultant familiar with the target markets (especially the Netherlands, EU and CARICOM) and the different market requirements is needed to do this work.

Reporting Lines

The International Market Linkages and Value Chains Consultant will carry out the works under the general supervision of the FAO Representative to Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname, the technical and operational supervision of the Chief Technical Adviser (CTA), the technical guidance of the Lead Technical Officer (LTO) at FAO headquarters, and in collaboration with the SAMAP team in Suriname.

Technical Focus

Value Chain Development. Market Access and Trade (including market analysis, assessment and market intelligence, as well as export planning and trade). Business-to-Business Linkages.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Support three Value Chain Platforms (VCP) (enabled by SAMAP) to develop a strategic (sector) Market Access plan with a view on strengthening domestic and expanding into export markets. This would include complementing existing market assessments and scaling up from existing initiatives and actions identified by the VCP in their Strategic VCP Plans.
• Provide guidance and coaching to the three VCP Steering Committees in implementing the Strategic (Sector) Market Access Plan with special emphasis on strengthening the organizational and operational Market Access capacities of the VCPs at practical level.
• Assist in reviewing, updating and strengthening the marketing and export plans developed by the Association of Exporters (VEAPS) focusing on consolidation and expansion of exports of fresh fruit and vegetables to EU markets.
• In consultation with SAMAP identify and assess the capabilities of 15 to 20 agribusinesses / cooperatives supported by SAMAP for consolidation / expansion of their domestic and/or export market potential.
• Based on the outcomes of point 4 develop a comprehensive and tailored made Export Market Plans for each of the selected agribusinesses / cooperatives with strong (domestic / export) market potential. Guide and coach its implementation.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive training and capacity building program in overarching subjects that relate to sales and export development in general, including market requirements, market entry, market intelligence, trade fair participation, famer-buyer linkages etc. The capacity building/training will take into consideration 2 levels (i) front runner agribusinesses selected in point 4; and (ii) other large group of mostly smaller enterprises with limited or yet to develop Market Access / export capacity.
• Assist in the identification of prospective buyers and / or niche markets for Surinamese products in the Netherlands and/or CARICOM. Facilitate business-to-business linkages. Assist in developing information dossiers of prospective buyers and markets, as well as other market requirements (i.e. certification, quarantine, regulations, logistics, etc).
• Prepare and train VCPs and selected agribusinesses for participating in international expo fairs and trade negotiation missions, including guidance on how to conduct B-2-B negotiations; round tables, marketing and presentation of offerings and business prepositions. Assist in identifying potential venues to display and expose Surinamese products and support the participation of prospective exporters.
• Support SAMAP in the identification of specific venues of collaboration with other relevant national entities responsible for trade promotion. Assist in developing a concept note / roadmap for materializing potential joint collaboration with other trade promotion entities.
• Provide technical inputs to the design of terms of references or other related inputs for the imp[lamentation of other market studies and/or training courses on specific subject matters that are intended to meet export market requirements i.e. GAP, food safety and phytosanitary standards, certification, etc).
• Prepare a concept note on how to strengthen producer-buyer linkages in the Suriname country context and support in the implementation of other training to strengthen farmer-buyer linkages and/or contract farming.
• Undertake duty travels to Suriname and potential target markets.
• Submit reports, including back-to-office reports for each mission to Suriname or target market country.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced University degree in agricultural economics, trade, marketing or equivalent qualification
• Minimum of 15 years (Category A) of relevant experience in trade promotion, market and trade analysis; Value Chain development and strategic marketing planning.
• Working knowledge (Level C) of English and limited knowledge (Level B) of one of the other FAO official languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish.

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Knowledge of Dutch will be an asset.
• Experience in conducting market facilitation and match-making work, including excellent knowledge of Market Access requirements and experience in the promotion of imports from developing countries;
• Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing market / export plans at firm and sector levels in developing countries.
• Ability to facilitate teams and encourage collaborative teamwork, experience sharing, effective problem solving and conflict resolution;
• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team, understanding its needs and support it accordingly;
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, drafting skills, both written and verbal.

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency

HOW TO APPLY

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

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