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Organizational Setting
FAO Representation in the Republic of Moldova, works closely with the Government of the Republic of Moldova and national stakeholders to support agricultural challenges and promoting sustainable, long-term sector development through targeted initiatives. As part of the joint FAO-UNDP programme, Resilient and Competitive Markets, funded by Switzerland, FAO implements the project Strengthening the Competitiveness and Climate Resilience of Moldovan Smallholder Farmers.
The project promotes resilience by supporting smallholder farmers in adopting climate-smart and conservation agriculture (CSA/CA) practices, increasing productivity, improving market access, and strengthening sustainable value chains. It also builds the capacity of farmers and agribusiness actors to respond effectively to market opportunities and climate-related risks.
The specialist will support the further development and operationalization of grant and/or equipment provision schemes that enable smallholder farmers to adopt climate-resilient, climate-smart practices, reduce exposure to climate-related risks, and strengthen post-harvest, value addition, and market-focused capacities. The incumbent will also support the development of inclusive agribusiness models targeting FFS and Smart Farmer Club members, particularly women and youth, by enhancing competitiveness, improving entrepreneurship and digital skills, and strengthening market access, thereby contributing to sustainable, resilient value chains and competitive agribusinesses.
The assignment will build on grant-related analyses, assessments, and preparatory work already completed under the project, including the grant feasibility assessment, grant allocation framework, and implementation planning. At the start of the assignment, the incumbent will review existing materials and agree with the project team on the remaining priorities and deliverables.
Reporting Lines
Under the overall supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative in the Republic of Moldova, under the technical supervision of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Officers and the Economist of the Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (REU), LTO, and under the direct supervision of the National Project Coordinator, and in close collaboration with the Project Team and relevant service providers and partners, the incumbent will perform the following tasks and responsibilities:
Tasks and responsibilities
- The incumbent will perform the following tasks and responsibilities:
- Assist in conducting needs-based assessments for FFS groups and Smart Farmer Clubs to determine appropriate support modalities (equipment, matching grants, or bundled support), including justification of intervention type, based on, amongst other factors, climate resilience needs, productivity, and market orientation.
- Prepare technical justification notes, technical guidance, and decision-support tools for proposed grant and/or equipment packages, to be cleared by FAO and relevant counterparts.
- Provide technical inputs for the design and operationalization of grant and equipment provision mechanisms for FFSs and Smart Farmer Clubs, including eligibility criteria, selection processes, and accountability procedures**, in coordination with the Project Team and any international technical support engaged for grant implementation.
- Liaise with the Project Team and Operations Specialist to ensure the availability of funds for the support packages.
- Assess gaps in technology adoption and support the design of tailored assistance packages for each farmer group.
- Coordinate with national technical experts to select locally appropriate technologies, equipment, or inputs aligned with CSA/CA objectives, including technologies that reduce climate vulnerability.
- Coordinate with contractors and support the preparation and submission of applications for the pre-review stage.
- Ensure that grant-supported investments are financially sound and linked to sustainable intensification, productivity improvement, value addition, and/or market integration.
- Further develop and operationalize a monitoring mechanism to assess the performance, functionality, and return on investment of equipment/grants, including, where relevant, indicators related to climate resilience.
- Document farmers' use cases, lessons learned, constraints, and success stories for adaptive management and donor visibility.
- Provide technical advice on market linkage approaches, including farmers' participation in fairs and exhibitions, networking, and identification of opportunities for contract farming.
- Provide assistance and support in strengthening farmers' agribusiness skills by facilitating targeted and comprehensive training on financial literacy, farm economics, market trends, marketing, digital solutions, and cooperative approaches within Smart Farmer Clubs and FFSs.
- Participate in and contribute to the organization of project coordination meetings, stakeholder consultations, trainings, workshops, and strategic planning sessions.
- Contribute to the Country Office's efforts to mobilize additional financial resources aimed at strengthening support programmes for smallholder farmers.
- Advise the Country Office on recent developments in agribusiness and supportive programmes for small farmers, and provide required analyses and reports for targeted value chains.
- Prepare monthly progress reports on the implementation of assigned activities, in accordance with the approved work plan.
- Perform any other duties required for the successful implementation of the project, as requested by the National Project Coordinator.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Qualifications
- Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in agricultural economics, development finance, public finance, rural development, development studies, or a related field.
- At least 5 - 7 years of relevant national experience in agricultural financing, grant facility design, donor-funded programme development, or resource mobilization for the farming/rural sector.
- Proficiency in Romanian and English; working knowledge of Russian.
Technical/Functional Skills
- Work experience in more than one location or area of work.
- Work experience in the implementation of projects in agriculture in the region will be an asset.
- Extent and relevance of experience and skills in project management at field level.
- Quality of both oral and written communication skills.
FAO Core Competencies
- Results Focus
- Teamwork
- Communication
- Building Effective Relationships
- Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
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