Climate Investment and Value Chain Economist

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), with support from the Green Climate Fund (GCF), is implementing the project “Carbon Sequestration through Climate Investment in Forests and Rangelands in the Kyrgyz Republic (CS-FOR)”. The project promotes climate-resilient, low-carbon development through sustainable forest and rangeland management, climate investment, green value chains, and inclusive rural enterprise development.
The project is implemented in cooperation with the Forestry Service under the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Kyrgyz Republic, the Russian Kyrgyz Development Fund (RKDF), the Community Development and Investment Agency (ARIS), and other national and local partners. 
Activities are concentrated in selected districts of Naryn, Jalal-Abad and Osh regions.

       
Reporting Lines

The Climate Investment and Value Chain Economist works under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative and Assistant FAO Representative in the Kyrgyz Republic, the technical supervision of the Chief Technical Advisor and Lead Technical Officer, and the operational guidance of the National Project Coordinator. The incumbent works in close coordination with relevant FAO technical personnel, ARIS, RKDF, government institutions, financial institutions, service providers, local authorities, entrepreneurs, cooperatives and other project partners.

Technical Focus

Technical and analytical support to Component 3 of the CS-FOR project, with emphasis on climate-smart and green value-chain development, economic and market analysis, green finance, bankable business models, monitoring of green investments, financial literacy, market access, certification, and gender-responsive and socially inclusive business development.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Support the collection, organization and maintenance of data and information related to the economic, social, environmental and gender-related results of supported green businesses and value chains; assist in the application of project monitoring tools and methodologies in accordance with FAO, donor and project reporting requirements, including the Gender and Social Inclusion Action Plan.
• Review the quality of data submitted by partner organizations and financial institutions and contribute to progress reporting, learning, reviews and evaluations.
• Provide operational and administrative support for capacity development activities, including the preparation of materials, compilation of training records, and maintenance of information related to gender and social inclusion considerations within project-supported capacity development initiatives.
• Design or adapt training materials on green investment, climate finance, market access, business management, sustainable sourcing, financial literacy and value-chain monitoring.
• Support conducting training for FAO, the Forestry Service, ARIS, RKDF and other partners on green investments and green rural value chains.
• Map and assess climate-smart and green value chains relevant to project areas, including forestry products, non-timber forest products, sustainable livestock, agri-processing, beekeeping, poultry, tree nuts, dried fruit, orchards and other promising products.
• In support of the gender specialist, integrate gender-responsive analysis into value-chain assessments, including roles, constraints, workloads, access to resources and decision-making influence.
• Identify bottlenecks, investment needs, market opportunities, climate risks and potential for carbon sequestration, employment and inclusive growth.
• Review and provide guidance on methodologies and templates for climate-resilient and bankable business plans aligned with project plans and RKDF requirements.
• Provide technical support to the project team on financial modeling, cost-benefit analysis, commercial viability, investment planning and risk assessment to integrate entrepreneurs, cooperatives and partners.
• Support the project team in preparation and appraisal of business and investment proposals.
• Provide technical input to green financial instruments, including loans, grants, guarantees, collateral mechanisms and blended-finance arrangements.
• In coordination with the Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialist, support environmental, social and governance screening.
• Promote relevant national and international standards and certification systems, including FSC, HACCP, Fair Trade, Organic and Global G.A.P.
• Provide support in understanding certification requirements and preparing for assessments or audits.
• Provide economic inputs to Integrated Natural Resources Management and Climate-Resilient Plans and support alignment with national green-growth priorities and the Kyrgyz Republic’s Nationally Determined Contribution.
• Perform other related duties as required.

The employee should pass all mandatory training courses which are required by FAO.
VERY IMPORTANT: all staff have to take the mandatory courses within the 1st week of employment

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in economics, agricultural economics, finance, business administration, value-chain development, rural development, environmental economics, development studies or a related field.
• At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in economic analysis, green finance, agricultural or forestry value-chain development, business development, market assessment, investment planning or access to finance.
• Working knowledge of English and Russian. Working knowledge of Kyrgyz is highly desirable.
• National of the Kyrgyz Republic or legal resident with authorization to work in the country.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Extent and relevance of experience in value-chain analysis, market assessment, business planning or investment appraisal.
• Knowledge of green economy, climate finance, climate-resilient agriculture, forestry, rangeland management or sustainable natural resource management.
• Experience in financial modelling, cost-benefit analysis, feasibility assessment or enterprise risk analysis.
• Experience supporting entrepreneurs, cooperatives, farmers or rural micro, small and medium-sized enterprises.
• Experience working with financial institutions, development funds, credit programmes or investment facilities.
• Experience designing monitoring indicators and tools for economic, social and environmental results.
• Knowledge of gender-responsive and socially inclusive approaches to value-chain and enterprise development.
• Demonstrated ability to prepare analytical reports, recommendations, training materials and technical documents
• Good computer skills, including spreadsheet analysis, presentations and data-management tools.
• Previous experience with FAO, GCF, the United Nations system, international financial institutions or donor-funded development projects.
• Knowledge of the agriculture, forestry, rangeland and non-timber forest product sectors of the Kyrgyz Republic.
• Experience with environmental, social and governance screening; certification systems; Geographic Indications; traceability; geotagging; or digital value-chain platforms.