FAO - Associate Rural Finance Officer

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Professional Vacancy Announcement N^o:08/15/FSS

Issued on:

28-May-2015

Deadline For Application:

12-JUN-2015

Position Title:

Associate Rural Finance Officer

Grade Level:

NPP (service contract SB-3 level 1)

Duty Station:

4 positions: One in each of the following state capitals of South Sudan; Wau, Aweil, Kuajok and Rumbek

Organizational Unit:

FAO Representation South Sudan (FRSSD)

Duration :

3 months with possible extension

Post Code/N^o:

CCOG Code:

Applications from qualified women as well as from qualified nationals of non-and under-represented member countries are encouraged

Persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply

All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The FAO Representation Office in South Sudan (FRSSD) is responsible for leading FAO’s response to country priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development through the identification, planning and implementation of FAO’s priority activities in the country. FRSSD has provided support to emergency agriculture programmes to ensure food secuirty and improve agriculture production. Throught its emergency and rehabilitation programmes, FAOSS has supported vulnerable crop, fish and livestock dependent households with technical support while also promoting sustainable land management practices, improved production technologies and marketing opportunities.

The Rural Finance Officer works under the direct supervision of the Project Manager and overall supervision of the FAO Representative in South Sudan and Deputy FAOR , in close collaboration with the Programme Unit in Juba and consultation with the relevant FAO headquarters Lead Technical Unit and FAO headquarters and FAO Regional Office for Africa (RAF) and Sub-Regional Office for Eastern Africa (SFE) Technical Officers. The Rural Finance Officer will support the Project Manager and National Project Coordinator in the execution of the project "Improved food security and income for rural small holders in South Sudan (ZEAT-BEAD)” funded by the European Commission by ensuring consistency with the objectives set out in the Financial Convention with the Donor for the project implementation and rules and procedures of FAO. Specifically, the incumbent will:

• Assist the Value Chain and Rural Finance Expert to develop and roll out a private sector driven system for the supply of inputs and equipment, as well as the marketing of produce in the four states of the Greater Bahr el Ghazal in collaboration;

• Contribute to undertaking a baseline survey on the current supply systems for inputs, equipment and services in the Greater Bahr el Ghazal;

• Contribute to the design of an input and equipment credit system and Village Savings and Lending Association (VSLA) system;

• Contribute to value chains analysis in coordination with UNIDO and other partners;

• Ensure establishment and/or strengthening the capacity of Village Savings and Lending Associations (VSLAs);

• Coordinate all activities related to value chains and rural finance at state level to ensure timely and efficient and effective implementation;

• Train and backstop all trainers related to rural finance e.g VSLAs facilitators, service providers at the state level;

• Provide technical backstopping and follow up to implementing partners (IPs) and VSLAs;

• Monitor and document progress in line with the log frame;

• Ensure the preparation of required reports in accordance to the Guide to the Project Cycle to reflect the outputs and results of the project against agreed work plans;

• Monitor and document progress of all activities related to extension and training in the respective states;

• Make regular presentations on technical issues to stakeholders;

• Perform other duties as requested  

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Candidates should meet the following:

• University degree in Agricultural Sciences, Agricultural Economics or related field;

• Five years of relevant experience including in rural development projects particularly in value chain and rural finance programmes in a post conflict context

• Working knowledge of English essential

• National of South Sudan

SELECTION CRITERIA

Candidates will be assessed against the following:

• Sound knowledge and confirmed professional competency in rural finance (technical and governance aspects)and relevant experience in community-based field work, participative approaches;

• Extent and relevance of experience on value chain approach, rural institutions capacity development, Village Savings and lending Associations (VSLAs) private sector input supply systems, producer and marketing groups;

• Extent and relevance of experience of Natural Resource Management and gender mainstreaming;

• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• All candidates should possess computer/word processing skills and have the ability to use standard office software, such as MS Office (Windows, Word, Outlook, Excel, Power Point, and Internet);

• Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which will be followed by a competency-based interview.

• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your iRecruitment online profile (see “How to Apply”). We strongly recommend that you ensure that the information is accurate and complete including employment record, academic qualifications and language skills.

• Please note that FAO will only consider academic credentials or degrees obtained from an educational institution recognized in the IAU/UNESCO list.

• Other similar positions at the same level may be filled from this vacancy notice and the endorsed candidates will be considered for the Employment Roster for a period of 2 years.

• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments.

REMUNERATION

REMUNERATION (will be determined based on the years’ of experience in the field of assignment )

to apply: Carefully read and follow the Guidelines to applicants

Send your application to:

V.A no 08/15/FSS

Send your applications to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and you can download Personal History Form from : http://fao.org/VA/adm11e.dot

Please note that FAO staff members are international civil servants subject to the authority of the Director-General and may be assigned to any activities or office of the organization.

This post is open to South Sudanese nationals ONLY

FAO IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT