Rural Finance Officer (Direct Grants To Beneficiaries)

IMPORTANT NOTICE\: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device
The length of appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to the extension of appointments.

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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 persons 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 staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through 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.

Organizational Setting

In pursuit of these aspirations, the Rural Transformation and Gender Equality Division (ESP) structures its work around three core Objectives\: 1). Build sustainable and resilient livelihoods for vulnerable people in agrifood systems; 2). Achieve gender equality and women's empowerment in agrifood systems; and 3). Promote equitable, inclusive and sustainable climate action and natural resource management. The Inclusive Rural Finance Team works to address the micro-, meso- and macrolevel constraints to the efficient, inclusive and sustainable functioning of the rural financial market. Its main priorities are\: financial inclusion, focusing on smallholder farmers, fishers, agri-Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), rural youth and women; access to green finance to facilitate the transition to sustainable agriculture and food systems; effective risk management and de-risking of agrifood systems and value chains to enhance financial inclusion for the agrifood players; successful and inclusive adaptation of digital financial solutions; and financing for development. The position is located in the Inclusive Rural Finance Team in the Rural Transformation and Gender Equality Division (ESP).

Reporting Lines
The Rural Finance Officer reports to the Senior Policy Officer (Rural Institutions, Services and Empowerment)/Inclusive Rural Finance Team Leader.

Technical Focus
Technical support to Direct Grants to Beneficiaries.

Key Results
Research, technical analysis and project related services to support the delivery of programme projects, products and services.

Key Functions
• Researches and analyses technical, social, economic, environmental, institutional and technology related information, data and statistics and/or related policy issues to support the delivery of programme projects, products and services.
• Produces a variety of technical information, data, statistics and reports as well as input for technical documents and web pages.
• Provides technical support/analysis to various assessments, studies and initiatives and provides technical backstopping to field projects.
• Collaborates in the development of improved/updated tools, systems, processes and databases.
• Participates in multidisciplinary teams and/or leads working groups/teams collaborates with other divisions and agencies on work groups and committees and promotes best practices.
• Collaborates in, provides technical backstopping to and ensures the quality/effectiveness of capacity development activities within Member Nations such as policy support, organizational development and individual learning events, including preparation of related information, learning materials and on-line tools.
• Promotes knowledge sharing and best practices at international meetings and conferences and influences partners in stakeholder consultations.
• Supports resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Corporate Strategy.

Specific Functions
• Develops, delivers and makes available technical guidance materials, presentations and training courses on inclusive Rural Finance, particularly on Beneficiary Grants modality for both field practitioners and divisions in headquarters.
• Supports Country Offices in building technical capacity relating to inclusive Rural Finance and the use of the Beneficiary Grants modality, including recruitment of Rural Finance Experts and the acquisition of external services.
• Provides technical support and clearance on the feasibility and formulation of development projects and interventions with inclusive Rural Finance and Beneficiary Grants components.
• Participates in Project Task Forces for projects involving inclusive Rural Finance and Beneficiary Grants components, upon request.
• Collates case studies and good practices collected through FAO country offices over time, facilitating sharing between user offices.
• Provides technical and programmatic support to implementation of inclusive Rural Finance interventions and Beneficiary Grants, including technical support to the development of operational workflows and tools.
• Develops technical policy in relation to the use of Beneficiary Grants and its various sub-modalities in FAO.
• Represents FAO in global technical forums and coordination bodies relating inclusive Rural Finance and the to use of the Beneficiary Grants modality and other financial instruments.

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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree in Agricultural/Agribusiness Finance, Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness or Applied Economics.
• Five years of relevant experience in one or more of the following areas\: agricultural and/or agribusiness finance, value chain finance and/or agricultural/ rural investment.
• Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate – level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

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, is desirable.
• Extent and relevance of experience in designing, implementing and supporting Direct Grants to Beneficiaries in field projects.
• Extent and relevance of experience or knowledge of agricultural and rural financial services.
• Extent and relevance of experience in analysis, design, implementation, and evaluation of programmes, and policy support related to rural financial and investment products and services in line with the mandate of FAO.
• Extent and relevance of experience in technical writing and presentations and in addressing professional meetings.
• Extent and relevance of experience in organizing international meetings, seminars and training courses in rural and agricultural finance.

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FAO staff are expected to adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.

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• Extension of fixed term appointments is based on certification of performance and availability of funds
• FAO reserves the right not to make an appointment.
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

• 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/
• 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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