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's commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations. The FAO Investment Centre (CFI) provides investment and finance solutions that lead to more efficient, sustainable, inclusive and resilient agrifood systems. Working in over 120 countries, the Centre provides a full suite of investment and finance support to FAO Members. It partners with governments, international and national financing institutions, the private sector and farmers, research institutions and academia to improve the quality and quantity of agrifood investment. The Centre's four main areas of work include support to strategic investment planning and policy, public investment, private investment, and innovative finance. These are complemented by the knowledge for investment and capacity development for investment programmes that serve to share knowledge, learn and build capacities at country level. For additional information on the FAO Investment Centre, its activities, partners and the organizational structure please visit the following link . In 2025, CFI started to implement the TERRA programme, standing for 'Transforming and Empowering Resilient and Responsible Agribusiness', in partnership with Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP) and the European Union Directorate General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA). With the financial support of the European Union through the European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus (EFSD ), TERRA seeks to develop sustainable agrifood systems through different interlinked components: credit lines, guarantees and technical assistance (TA). The combination of these different instruments aims to enhance the ability of local financial institutions from developing countries to successfully allocate more capital to the agrifood sector. CDP is the lead institution for the financial component whereas CFI is responsible for the TA component. The position is located in the Office of the Director (CFID) of the FAO Investment Centre at the FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.
Reporting Lines The Agribusiness Finance Officer reports to the Deputy-Director (Business Development), CFI, and works in close collaboration with other members of the Centre. Technical Focus Provide analytical and technical support on the development of agrifood lending and knowledge of agrifood value chains, for the formulation, implementation and evaluation of technical assistance activities in food and agriculture. Key Results Delivering investment and finance support solutions through the provision of technical expertise and support to capacity development, in collaboration with country stakeholders and cooperating partners, to achieve impact at scale in the transformation of agrifood systems within the scope of the FAO Strategic Framework. Key Functions Participates in, and eventually leads multidisciplinary teams to assist governments in the identification and preparation of investment and finance support initiatives in the fields of food security, agriculture, rural development, natural resource management and agro-processing, and participates in pre-appraisal and appraisal missions. Participates in, and eventually leads multidisciplinary teams for the implementation support and the preparation of final evaluation of investment and finance support solutions. Provides technical expertise for the preparation of food and agriculture, rural development, natural resource management and agro-processing studies and strategies, in the formulation of national sector and/or sub-sector investment plans and programmes. Supports the development of inclusive and sustainable food systems involving producers, their organizations, other private sector actors and civil society organizations and governments. Formulates and delivers capacity development initiatives in the areas of food and agriculture, rural development, natural resource management and agro-processing investment support to government staff and non-state actors and private sector organizations. Prepares documents in accordance with FAO, governments and financing partners' requirements. Provides support in task organization, selection of consultants, preparation of terms of reference and in ensuring the quality of outputs. Promotes international cooperation and collaboration leading to new investment opportunities and cooperative agreements, advocates best practices and effective policy dialogue and provides technical expertise at international meetings. Establishes, promotes and maintains relationships with relevant Strategic Programmes, FAO technical units and Decentralized Offices in order to ensure best synergies between investment, policy and innovation work in support to Member Nations. Participates in resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Corporate Strategy. Provides guidance and advice to junior staff.
Specific Functions Supports the successful implementation of the TERRA programme and the execution of the agreed work plans. Ensures good communication with counterparts, namely CDP and DG INTPA. Conducts comprehensive assessments of the agrifood portfolio, strategy and lending practices of selected financial institutions, with key findings to be summarized in a PowerPoint document and presented to different stakeholders. Engages efficiently with financial institutions to identify their technical assistance needs (trainings, knowledge of specific value chains, strategic support, pipeline development, support to innovation, etc.). Formulates and delivers capacity development initiatives to financial institutions and other private sector organizations in the areas of food and agriculture, rural development, natural resource management and agro-processing. Participates in, and eventually leads, multidisciplinary teams to enhance financial institutions' ability to lend to the agrifood sector. Provides technical expertise for the preparation of studies and strategies in food and agriculture, rural development, natural resource management and agro-processing. Participates in the generation of knowledge products in food and agriculture investments, and more specifically on the role of local financial institutions in the financing of agrifood systems, on lessons learned from international experiences with de-risking mechanisms such as guarantees, as well as on access to finance for farmers and agrifood small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Prepares Terms of Reference for the various assignments and identifies qualified specialists (in-house or external) to support implementation.
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Minimum Requirements
Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in agriculture, agro-industry, business administration, economics, agricultural economics, agribusiness, finance, political sciences or a closely related field. Seven years of relevant experience in the practical application of agrifood lending, value chain analysis and development, agribusiness and market development, agrifood processing, including experience in the formulation and/or implementation of agricultural investment and finance solutions in developing countries and/or countries in transition. Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of another official FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).
Competencies Technical/Functional Skills Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions. Extent and relevance of experience in technical fields related to agribusiness development, agrifood finance, rural finance, value-chain development and analysis, business planning, agriculture marketing, blended finance and private sector development. Extent and relevance of experience in participating in multidisciplinary teams for the preparation of strategies and sector studies as well as formulation, implementation support or evaluation of agricultural investment and finance support solutions, with a focus on rural finance, value chain development and agribusiness, as well as experience in working directly with the private sector and with commercial financial institutions. Extent and relevance of experience in the formulation and delivery of capacity development in the areas of agriculture, rural development, natural resource management, agro-processing and blended finance. Knowledge of the stakeholder context including partners and institutions in the blended finance and agrifood finance space (including Development Finance Institutions and commercial financial institutions), as well as CDP and the European Union. Demonstrated experience in dealing with government officials, development partners, financial institutions (experience working for a financial institution is an asset) and other country stakeholders. Demonstrated capacity to write technical reports in English.
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