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. 
FAO is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO's goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 Members (194 countries and the European Union), FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide. 
FAO Country Offices, working under overall corporate guidance and in line with the Strategic Framework, offer policy advice and support to countries in the mandated areas of FAO, facilitated through partnerships, resources and an active country programme to provide technical assistance, develop capacities and deliver core services while fully observing international standards of accountability to establish leadership and strengthen impact at the country level. 
The offices deliver on the programmatic priorities of each country as agreed in their respective Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs) aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and ensure effective and efficient operations with adequate human and financial resources.

Specifically, FAO Country Offices: 
•     Advocate, inform and support policies and investments in the areas of FAO's mandate. 
•     Provide technical assistance and deliver core services.
•     Assist and catalyze partnership and resource mobilization activities to support agrifood systems transformation. 
•     Position FAO as the specialized/authoritative technical agency in food and agriculture and agrifood systems transformation; and 
•     Ensure risk-smart and accountable operations and management.

To support the implementation of the project "Smart Agro-ecological Transformation of Farming Systems towards Resilience and Sustainability in Middle and Coastal Zones of the Viet Nam Mekong Delta (STAR-FARM)", FAO is seeking a motivated, dynamic candidate to serve as Farmer based organizations (FBOs)/Cooperatives and Small Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Business Plan Expert for this project.

STAR-FARM is a 4-year project funded by the EU Delegation and led by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (new name: Ministry of Agriculture and Environment) through its line agency - the International Cooperation Department. The project aims at creating an enabling environment for the establishment of sustainable value chains in the Mekong Delta, based on agroecological approaches. FAO will take the management and coordination role in the consortium implementing the project. Besides FAO, the project consortium will involve other research and development institutions, including IRD, CIRAD, ISPAE, VAAS and Can Tho University.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision by the FAO Representative and Assistant FAOR (Programme), technical supervision by the Natural Resources Officer in FAO-RAP (the LTO), Project National Technical Advisor and the day-to-day supervision of the National Project Coordinator - STAR-FARM Project, the FBOs/Cooperatives and MSMEs Business Plan Expert will work closely with the Agri-business Development Specialist to implement the assigned tasks.

Technical Focus

FBOs/Cooperatives and SMEs business plan Expert will develop business plans for 15 Cooperatives /FBOs and MSMEs for inclusive Agro-ecological value chains (AEVCs) and Smart Agro-ecological Transformation of Farming Systems (STAS) value chain development as well as design and technically support to manage effective investments or interventions for adaptation to climate change.

Tasks and responsibilities

•     Prepare a detailed working plan for the assignment
•     Design a business plan template for FBOs/cooperatives and define business plan development approach in consultation with the relevant teams. 
•     Provide technical input to a report on the selection of FBOs, cooperatives and MSMEs for preparation of business plan and climate change adaptation measures
•     Prepare business plans for 15 FBOs/ cooperatives for inclusive AEVCs and Smart STAS, in close consultation with the respective FBOs/cooperatives
•     Design effective investments or interventions for adaptation to climate change for 10 MSMEs and cooperatives.
•     Prepare management guidelines for the MSMEs and cooperatives to manage the investments/ interventions
•     Present the results of the designs and management guidelines at workshops on climate change adaptation for MSMEs and cooperatives, and revise the design and guideline based on feedback received  
•     Submit documents to the Project National Technical Advisor for review, and finalize them in consultation with, and upon clearance from, the LTO

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements    

•     Advanced university degree in Economics/economic management, Rural Development or community planning and development, natural resources management or related fields.
•     At least 5 years of specialized experience in rural development within the Mekong Delta, with a focus on Farmer-Based Organizations (FBOs) and cooperatives.
•     Professional working proficiency in English and Vietnamese (written and spoken) 
•     National of Viet Nam or resident of the country of assignment with valid work permit

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•     Excellent communication and interpersonal skills 
•     Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary and multicultural environment
•     The ability to work independently with minimal supervision. 
•     Expertise and experiences on (i) supporting FBOs/Cooperatives and SME to business plan development, which focuses on inclusive AEVCs   to ensure environmentally friendly AEVCs and (ii) designing and managing effective investments or interventions for adaptation to climate change. 
•     Proven track record in providing technical support for FBOs and cooperatives to develop business plans and design and manage effective investments or interventions for adaptation to climate change.