Organizational Setting

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

The Markets and Trade Division (EST) monitors and analyses developments and trends in international, regional and national agricultural commodity markets and the factors affecting them, collecting and disseminating up-to-date and comprehensive market and policy information for the major traded commodities and those important to food security. It also undertakes forward-looking outlook studies. The Division analyses issues that affect global food and agricultural markets and trade, including analysis of trade policies and agreements, and provides technical support and capacity development to FAO Members in all these areas. Through its Global Information and Early Warning System on Food and Agriculture (GIEWS), the Division is responsible for FAO's early warnings on food shortfalls and food security problems. EST is also responsible for the production of FAO flagship publication The State of Agricultural Commodity Markets (SOCO) and the OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook. The Division houses the secretariats of the Committee on Commodity Problems (CCP) and its subsidiary Intergovernmental Groups (IGGs), the G20 Agricultural Market Information System (AMIS) and the World Banana Forum (WBF).

The Team on Responsible Global Value Chains in EST facilitates the work of the World Banana Forum (WBF), a platform to support global collaboration between all stakeholders of the banana sector on challenges facing the industry. Working Group 3 on Labour Rights (WG03) and Working Group 2 on Distribution of Value (WG02) of the WBF promote decent work and fair distribution of value along global banana supply chains respectively. The price competition between large retailers in developed countries has forced the industry to reduce the price of bananas to levels that are increasingly seen as unsustainable. While real prices at production level have remained low, the costs of production, maintenance and transportation in producing countries have increased significantly. Low producer prices have created socio-economic challenges for millions of families in developing countries that depend on banana trade for their livelihood, as this can prevent adequate social development and worsen working conditions for banana workers.

Reporting Lines

The Specialist will report directly to the Secretary of the WBF, under the overall guidance and supervision of the Senior Economist/Team Leader of the Responsible Global Value Chains in EST.

Technical Focus

Specific areas of technical support include: multi-stakeholder working group facilitation; global trade; social and economic statistics; costs of sustainable production; living incomes/wages; due diligence; responsible business conduct; quantitative and qualitative research; and decent work and gender equity analysis.

Tasks and responsibilities

The generic functions for the profile include, but are not limited to, the following:

•     Facilitate and manage the operations of the World Banana Forum’s Working Group 3 on Labour Rights (WG03) and Working Group 2 on Distribution of Value (WG02) to promote decent work and fair distribution of value along global banana supply chains including the implementation of their work plans, projects, activities, as well as their reporting;
•     Under the supervision of the WBF Secretary, liaise with WG03 and WG02 members for the organization of meetings, preparation of documents, provision of advice, support and follow-up to their decisions;
•     Support the coordination of project implementation and technical backstopping to capacity development activities within member countries, as regards WG03 and WG02 activities; 
•     Support the technical work, research and analysis on policies and trends related to socio-economic sustainability issues in the banana industry, with a particular focus on the WBF priority areas of due diligence, responsible business conduct, corporate responsibility, decent work, gender equity, costs of production and living wages/income;
•     Organize knowledge-management/sharing of activities related to WG03 and WG02, and WBF promotion to feed the WBF website and newsletter;
•     Develop and prepare reports and papers on topics related to the WBF mandate, including background documents, summaries of decisions and minutes of meetings for the WBF Global Conferences, Steering Committee (SC), Advisory Board (AB), WG03 and WG02; 
•     Support the coordination of activities to increase WBF membership and facilitate partnerships, as well as to promote and coordinate the dissemination of information and results achieved by the WBF, including the preparation of draft communication materials;
•     Support the implementation of the WBF’s Action Plan and decisions of the Steering Committee (SC) and Advisory Board (AB);
•     Carry out any other organizational and technical work as required by the WBF.

FAO Standards and guidelines:

•     Liaison with OCC will be maintained, either directly or through an agreed focal point/coordinator, to ensure compliance with OCC standards, aligned messaging, and appropriate review and clearance processes. 
•     All communication materials will follow FAO clearance processes and comply with FAO standards, including: 
FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31: https://www.fao.org/strategic-framework/en    
FAO social media policy and guidelines: https://www.fao.org/2/socialmedia    
Social Media Branding Guidelines: https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb5044en   
FAOSTYLE https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb8081en    
FAO terminology http://www.fao.org/faoterm    
FAO Names of Countries https://www.fao.org/nocs/en       
Story guidelines, Story template, UN map standards, FAO logo policy and related branding guidelines (available to staff). 
•     Further guidance regarding FAO communications, policies and procedures can be found through the FAO intranet, OCC section.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•     For Consultants: advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in Social and Economic Sciences (International Law and Development, Business Administration, Economics, Social Protection, International Business, Public Policy focusing on Sustainable Development, Partnerships, Network Facilitation, Knowledge Management, Platform Management) or similar. Consultants with a bachelor's degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience.
For PSAs: university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in Social and Economic Sciences (International Law and Development, Business Administration, Economics, Social Protection, International Business, Public Policy focusing on Sustainable Development, Partnerships, Network Facilitation, Knowledge Management, Platform Management) or similar.
•     At least two years of relevant experience in platform/project/working group facilitation 
•     Working knowledge of English and Spanish

FAO Core Competencies

•     Results Focus
•     Teamwork
•     Communication
•     Building Effective Relationships
•     Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

•     Experience in facilitating international networks or partnerships 
•     Excellent time management and problem-solving skills
•     Experience in working on responsible business conduct, corporate social responsibility or ethical trading
•     Familiarity with providing remote support and liaising virtually with stakeholders
•     Knowledge of the fruit sector and FAO’s working environment is a plus
•     Thorough attention to details
•     Good communication and interpersonal skills and ability to interact effectively with different stakeholders
•     Good organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects independently and proactively
•     Ability to write reports and minutes of meetings in a systematic manner
•     Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines

Selection Criteria

•     Knowledge of French is desirable
•     Extent of experience in advocacy, capacity development, network facilitation and technical assistance related to responsible business conduct or corporate responsibility and/or programme formulation, operational support in network facilitation and alliances
•     Work experience in UN agencies and/or major international organizations 
•     Work experience in the agricultural sector, including in the fresh produce industry