Investment Support Officer

The Investment Support Officer provides analytical and technical support for investment policies, strategies, programmes and projects in food and agriculture, rural development, natural resource management and agro-processing. The role involves supporting governments and partners in the formulation, implementation and evaluation of investment and finance solutions to transform agrifood systems sustainably and inclusively.

Responsibilities

• 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; 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 policies, 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, the selection of consultants, the preparation of terms of reference and in the assurance of 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 Programme Priority Areas, 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 Framework.
• Provides guidance and advice to junior staff.

Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in economics, agricultural economics, agricultural sciences, environmental sciences, agribusiness management, natural resource management, forestry, irrigation and drainage engineering, rural infrastructure engineering, or a related field.
• Seven years of relevant experience in conducting agricultural/rural sector/subsector analytical studies, including experience in the formulation and implementation of agrifood investment operations in developing countries.
• Working knowledge (full proficiency - level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of another official FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).
• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions.
• Experience in formulation, implementation support or evaluation of strategies, policies, studies and investment programmes/projects in agriculture, rural development, agribusiness, forestry, natural resource management, irrigation and other related subjects.
• Experience in participating in multidisciplinary teams for the preparation of strategies and sector studies, as well as formulation, implementation support or evaluation of food security, agriculture, rural development, natural resources management and agro-processing investment and finance support solutions.
• Experience with FAO's main development partners, in particular the World Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the European Union and other development partners and international financial institutions.
• Direct professional experience with a private company operating in the field of agriculture or agribusiness, as employee or provider of services would be an asset.
• Demonstrated experience in dealing with government officials, development partners, private sector stakeholders and other country stakeholders.
• Knowledge of the context, as well as partners and institutions of the Near East, North Africa, Europe and Central Asia region would be an important asset.
• Demonstrated capacity to write technical reports in English.

Skills

• Agricultural Economics
• Agribusiness Management
• Natural Resource Management
• Rural Engineering
• Agrifood Investment
• Agricultural Sector Analysis
• Investment Programme Formulation
• Policy Formulation Support
• Project Implementation Support
• Investment Programme Evaluation
• Food Security Investment
• Agriculture Investment
• Rural Development Strategies
• Forest Management
• Irrigation Engineering
• Multidisciplinary Team Collaboration
• Technical Report Preparation
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Development Partner Coordination
• Experience with World Bank
• Experience with IFAD
• Experience with EBRD
• Experience with European Union

Languages

English, Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish