Organizational Setting

The Regional Office for Africa (RAF) is responsible for leading FAO's response to regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development through the identification, planning and implementation of FAO's priority activities in the region. It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, identifies priority areas of action for the Organization in the region and, in collaboration with divisions/offices/centres at headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO's strategic response to regional priorities. RAF also advises on the incorporation of regional priorities into the Organization's Programme of Work and Budget and implements approved programmes and projects in the region, monitors the level of programme implementation and draws attention to problems and deficiencies. RAF develops and maintains relations with region-wide institutions including the Regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs).

The FAO Regional Office for Africa (RAF) is implementing FAO’s global initiative, One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) initiative. OCOP initiative aims at promoting the green development of Special Agricultural Products (SAPs) that possess unique qualities and characteristics with the potential to contribute to the transformation of agrifood systems towards being more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable, in line with FAO’s vision of Better Production, Better Nutrition, a Better Environment, and a Better Life, leaving no one behind.
The OCOP initiative was launched in Africa in March 2022, and as of March 2026, approximately 35 countries across the four FAO subregions in Africa (Central, Eastern, Southern, and Western Africa) have joined the initiative. These countries have expressed strong interest in promoting the green development of more than 20 Special Agricultural Products through sustainable production, value chain development, market access, and regional collaboration.

The National Agribusiness and Agricultural Financing Specialist will provide technical expertise in agribusiness development, agricultural value chains, and financing mechanisms to support the implementation of OCOP activities in the region. The consultant will focus on strengthening the capacities of participating countries, supporting the development of high‑quality SAP investment concepts and proposals, and facilitating sustainable value chain upgrading.

Reporting Lines

The National Agribusiness and Agricultural Financing Specialist will work under the direct supervision and overall technical guidance of the Regional OCOP Focal Point, who serves as the Lead Technical Officer (LTO). The position will involve close collaboration with OCOP country focal points, as well as RAF operational, technical, and field programme staff.

Technical Focus

The National Agribusiness and Agricultural Financing Specialist will provide technical support to the implementation, with a focus on the green and sustainable development of Special Agricultural Products (SAPs). The assignment will concentrate on agribusiness development, sustainable agricultural value chains, agricultural financing, and investment facilitation to strengthen the competitiveness, resilience, and market integration of SAPs across participating countries.

The incumbent will also contribute to knowledge generation and dissemination through the development of technical training materials, guidance notes, and inputs into OCOP country briefs and regional knowledge products. The assignment will support regional coordination efforts aimed at strengthening inclusive, climate‑resilient, and market‑oriented agrifood systems aligned with FAO’s OCOP objectives.

Tasks and responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the Regional OCOP Focal point and in close collaboration with the OCOP Regional and Sub regional Teams, and Country Focal Points, the Specialist will:

Capacity Development & Training

Design and deliver a minimum of two rounds of online training sessions on sustainable value chain development for selected SAPs, with emphasis on:

•    Market access and competitiveness
•    Developing sustainable business models for SAPs from production to consumption
•    Financial inclusion of women and youth
•    Finance readiness of SMEs / Investment packaging
•    Prepare training materials, presentations, tools, and case studies tailored to country contexts.
•    Conduct pre and post training assessments to evaluate knowledge improvements.
•    Submit a short training report summarizing participants and lessons learned for internal reporting
•    Produce training packages entailing the content delivered, slides and resources.

Technical Support to OCOP Countries

•    Support the review and analysis of SAP value chains in priority countries (list countries if possible).
•    Provide technical backstopping during national OCOP engagements, virtual meetings, and capacity building workshops.
•    Assist national teams in identifying value chain bottlenecks regarding access to finance of small holder farmers and SMEs and identifying investment gaps.
•    Provide inputs to country briefs, fact sheets, and the continental OCOP compendium, particularly in areas related to agribusiness, markets, and financing.

Resource Mobilization & Concept Development

•    Lead resource mobilization support for OCOP countries, including:
o    Reviewing draft project ideas, concept notes, and SAP proposals
o    Advising on proposal structure, investment logic, and financial sustainability
o    Recommending suitable financing instruments (public, donor, private sector)
•    Support the refinement of SAP concepts for submission to donors, development banks, and private investors.
•    Prepare technical guidance notes on financing mechanisms for SAP value chain development.

Reporting & Coordination

•    Maintain close coordination with the Regional, Sub regional and Country Focal Points to ensure information flow and alignment.
•    Deliver quarterly progress updates.
•    Contribute to technical reports submitted by the OCOP regional team.
•    Prepare a shot final technical report summarizing all activities, achievements, challenges, and recommendations for follow up of the assignment.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    Advanced university degree in Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics, Rural Finance, Value Chain Development, or related field.
•    At least 5 years of relevant experience in supporting programme operations, project implementation, or coordination of projects in the field of international development.
•    Working knowledge (level C) of English; familiarity with French is an asset.
•    National of Ghana

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•    Work experience in more than one location or area of work and with international organisations.
•    Extent and relevance of experience in agribusiness development and agricultural value chain analysis.
•    Extent and relevance of experience in agricultural financing, investment facilitation, and resource mobilization.
•    Extent and relevance of experience in sustainable and climate‑smart agriculture and green value chain development.
•    Demonstrated ability to design and deliver technical training and capacity‑building programmes.
•    Strong analytical, report writing, and knowledge product development skills.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/
For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

National Agribusiness and Agricultural Financing Specialist.