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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

FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

Organizational Setting

FAO, in cooperation with the Government of Malawi and with funding from the Green Climate Fund (GCF), is implementing the project Ecosystem-based Adaptation for Resilient Watersheds and Communities in Malawi (EbAM). The project aims to enhance the climate resilience of vulnerable ecosystems and communities through integrated watershed planning and management, investment in diversified agricultural value chains, agricultural and agroforestry systems and institutional capacity consistent with Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) approaches. The potential for ecosystems to support the sustainable production of commodities, goods and services for subsistence and commercial use by individual farmers, farmer groups and MSMEs will be enhanced. The project will be implemented in 11 districts in Malawi over a period of 6 years, benefitting over 500,000 vulnerable people in rural communities, restoring, conserving or improving the management of over 250,000 ha of land and achieving net emission reductions or removals of 2.75 MtCO2e within the lifetime of project interventions.

The position is located in Lilongwe.

Reporting Lines

The Agribusiness Specialist will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative (FAOR) in Malawi and the direct supervision of the CTA of EbAM , in close coordination with the EbAM Component 2 team, including National Agribusiness and Finance Specialist, National Business Development Specialists and National Institutional Development Specialists; other project team members and implementing partners.
Technical Focus

In collaboration with the EbAM Component 2 team of National Specialists, the consultant will provide technical and advisory support for the implementation of the Agribusiness Strategy of the EbAM project.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Provide strategic and technical advisory support on the design and implementation of EbAM agribusiness and private sector engagement approaches, ensuring alignment with FAO priorities, and the operational and market context of Malawi’s agricultural sector.
• Support and provide quality assurance for value chain assessments, business models, financing mechanisms, and public–private–producer partnership (4Ps) concepts developed by national teams, with particular attention to commercial viability, scalability, and smallholder inclusion.
• Advise on innovative financing and market-based approaches, including agribusiness/SME engagement models and risk-sharing mechanisms that enhance smallholder inclusion, climate resilience, and private investment mobilisation.
• Provide analytical inputs and strategic oversight to high-level agribusiness outputs, including investment briefs, concept notes, synthesis papers, and learning products linking ecosystem restoration, livelihoods, and markets.
• Provide substantive inputs to donor and FAO reporting, including GCF annual reports, progress reports, reviews, and other strategic documents related to agribusiness and private sector engagement under EbAM.
• Support the development of communications and knowledge products, including case studies, policy briefs, presentations, and success stories, to strengthen external recognition and learning around EbAM agribusiness activities.
• Contribute to regional knowledge-sharing across FAO programmes in Southern Africa, supporting EbAM engagement in learning events and cross-country knowledge products.
• Support high-level engagement and coordination with FAO teams, development partners, donors, and private sector stakeholders, as requested by the Chief Technical Advisor.
• Support internal FAO processes related to project design and pipeline development for future agribusiness and private sector engagement initiatives linked to EbAMPerform other related duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in Economics, Business, Agribusiness, Rural Economy or any other discipline relevant to the work of the organization.
• At least 10 years of relevant professional experience, including a minimum of 5 years of experience in agribusiness, private sector development or rural enterprise development roles in emerging markets.
• At least 3 years of relevant experience working in sub-Saharan Africa; experience in Malawi is an advantage.
• Working knowledge (level C) of English is mandatory

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Demonstrated expertise in agriculture value chain analysis.
• Experience of developing public private partnerships involving small-scale producers of agriculture or forestry products.
• experience in private sector, finance or advisory roles considered relevant.
• Knowledge and experience of the rural economy of Malawi is an advantage.
• Extent and relevance of experience in establishing and maintaining partnerships with private sector bodies, government institutions, UN agencies, NGOs and donors.

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

• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http\://www.whed.net/. These qualifications should be in alignment with the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) mappings.

• 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.

If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance\: https\://fao.service-now.com/csp

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