Technical Advisor (Agribusiness and Investment) – SB-5

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the 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. The main aim of the FAO Representation in Cambodia is to assist government to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner.

The Cambodia Agriculture Forum and Exhibition 2025 (CAFE25) is an important initiative of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery (MAFF), which aims to promote and catalyze trade and investment in the Cambodia’s agrifood sector. The CAFE25 initiative is a series of events taking place throughout the calendar year and has been implemented with technical assistance from FAO under the FAO’s Flagship "Hand-in-Hand (HIH) Initiative” and in partnership with key line ministries and development partners.

Reporting Lines

The Technical Advisor (Agribusiness and Investment) will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative, the direct supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative (Programme) in Cambodia, and under the technical oversight of the Lead Technical Officer (LTO) of the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP). He/She will collaborate closely with FAO programme team, government counterparts, development partners, private sectorand agricultural cooperatives.

Technical Focus

Provision of technical advice and capacity development for strategic investment planning and programmes for agribusiness, agriculture value chain analysis and investment promotion, development of viable investment models aligning with the interests of local and international investors.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Conduct desk research and advise FAO programme team in soliciting inputs from government counterparts and private sectors to validate and refine five prioritized agri-investment opportunities informed by investment needs dialogues;
• Design an investment case template including rationale and sector context, Business model (value chain integration, market strategy, revenue model); Investment requirements (capital outlay, financing sources, phasing); Impact projections (economic returns, job creation, gender and youth inclusion, environmental sustainability); Risk assessment and mitigation strategies;
• Lead the formulation of each investment case in alignment with national priorities, and the interests of local and international investors;
• Identify and profile potential domestic and foreign investors relevant to each investment opportunity;
• Prepare and maintain a detailed investor database including contact details, investment criteria, and interest levels;
• Advise FAO programme team and MAFF to to organize virtual or in-person investment outreach events to communicate the investment opportunities to investors and solicit investor interest and requirements;
• Identify Cambodian agribusinesses, cooperatives, assess their needs and readiness, interest and capacity to co-invest or promote the investment cases;
• Using the feedback from the Outreach Event, create a direct link between prepared investment cases and interested investors;
• Advise FAO programme team to design and coordinate brokering engagements/matchmaking and facilitate commitment-building;
• Work closely with FAO programme team in cooperation with the government and development partners to unlock incentives, de-risking tools, or blended finance opportunities;
• Prepare regular progress reports and facilitation notes;
• Document lessons learned, success factors, and bottlenecks encountered during implementation;
• Carry out any other relevant duties as required to deliver the above tasks.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in agribusiness, agricultural economics, economics, or a related field;
• At least seven years of experience in investment case development, investment facilitation and promotion, and technical and capacity development supports to SMEs particularly agribusinesses;
• Working knowledge of English (level C);
• National of Cambodia.

FAO Core 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;
• Relevance and extent of experience in technical cooperation related activities, policy advice and analysis;
• Extent and relevance of experience in one or more of the following areas\: investment case development, agricultural marketing, value chain development, analysis of agricultural investments, value chain analysis or diagnostic and feasibility studies for agro-industries;
• Relevance and extent of experience in working with multi-disciplinary teams;
• Ability to plan and organize own work, deliver results and meet deadlines;
• Experience in working and/or coordinating with governmental organizations, the private sector, NGOs and other partners;
• Extent and relevance of experience in the preparation and revision of technical/scientific documents and in organizing forums, workshops and trainings events;
• Ability to write clear and concise technical documents;
• Leading, engaging, empowering and an excellent team player.

Selection criteria\:

• Strong understanding of the Cambodian agrifood systems and investment climate;
• Proven experience in conducting market research and feasibility studies;
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and negotiation skills;

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION