Reporting Lines
Under the overall supervision of the Sub-Regional Coordinator for Southern Africa, and under the guidance of the Director of the Food Agriculture and Natural Resources Directorate at SADC Secretariat, the Sustainable Value Chain Specialist will work under the direct supervision of the STOSAR Regional Project Coordinator and technical guidance of SFS Agri-Food Systems and Investment Policy Specialists and Investment Support Officer.
Technical Focus
The sustainable value chain specialist will be responsible for conducting a comprehensive analysis of regionally traded value chain commodities affected by transborder pests and diseases (TBP&D) that will frame key entry points for VC upgrading, define indicative investment requirements in addition to developing concrete commodity sector/value chain specific development plan that have the buy in from Government and all value chain players taking into consideration. These concrete value chain development and investment plans can be financed through different modalities by Government, private sector value chain players, bilateral and multilateral funding partners.
Tasks and responsibilities
• Familiarise self with SADC and FAO SFS agrifood system development and transformation policies, programmes, projects as well as approaches and processes including the SADC Regional Agricultural Policy (RAP), the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP 2020-2030), and SFS Programmes is agribusiness, Investment, markets and trade.
• Carry out situational analysis and literature review to familiarise with the current government/Member states policies (regulatory environment) supporting the regionally traded value chain commodities affected by transborder pests and diseases (TBP&D) as espoused in the Regional and National Agricultural Policy Framework (regional/national policies, strategies and incentive frameworks) to promote the competitiveness of the identified sectors and their development ii) FAO agribusiness and investment flagship initiative and process, iii) global and/or regional best practices and innovative approaches and international benchmarks including Moroccan models for development and implementation of sector development program;
• Prepare data collection plan and design consultation instruments and checklists and consult with various key informants, value chain players and stakeholders including producers, traders, processors, input suppliers, wholesalers/ retailers. Government (key line ministries), apex sector / industrial associations and representatives, the private sector (including SMEs, farmers, farmer organizations, and financial service providers), bilateral and multilateral development partners (including donors) for the regionally traded value chain commodities affected by TBP&D.
• Carry out consultative engagements and pre-validation processes through key informant interviews and a one day consultative meeting for each value chain with sector players to ensure that the regionally traded value chain commodities affected by TBP&D Sector Development Plans (SDPs) clearly spells out (1) Sector objectives: possibly competitiveness, reduced imports, increased exports, improved trade balance, affordable price for consumers, job creation, food and nutrition security end markets- including market segmentation, market channels, trends/performance and forecasts (2) the smallholder inclusive business models applicable to the sector; (3) Quantified investment needs and commitments by the private sector (farmers, firms, bankers etc); (4) The enabling measures (regulatory, fiscal, infrastructure development, communicative, smart subsidies) to be deployed by Government and the quantified required public sector investments; and (5) Arrangements to build trust, ensure accountability and monitor impl
• With technical guidance of FAO, design a smallholder inclusive strategy into the Sector Development-program- and its background documents (SDP)
• Interact with relevant FAO technical units, sector association(s) and representatives, and relevant Government institutions to verify appropriateness of the regionally traded value chain commodities SDP.
• Present the programme to Sector Associations and Representatives, private sector, FAO and Government for validation further inputs and comments
• Compile and finalize the SDP for the selected regionally traded value chain commodities affected by transborder pests and diseases (TBP&D).
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree in agricultural economics, economics, agribusiness, agricultural science, food systems, rural finances or other related discipline. Consultants with bachelor`s degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience.
• At least 10 years relevant experience in one or more of the following areas: value chain analysis and development, agribusiness and market development, agro-food processing, post-harvest handling, and agro-food industry technologies.
• Working knowledge of English (Level C)
DEADLINE: NOVEMBER 27, 2025
