National Business Development Specialist Vacancy-Job Ref: JKAOFAO/1904/202651

National Business Development Specialist Vacancy-Job Ref: JKAOFAO/1904/202651
Luanda (Angola)
Job Description
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 vision for sustainable food and agriculture is that of a world in which food is nutritious and accessible for everyone and natural resources are managed in a way that maintain ecosystem functions to support current as well as future human needs. Where farmers, pastoralists, fisher-folks, foresters and other rural dwellers have the opportunity to actively participate in, and benefit from, economic development, have decent employment conditions and work in a fair environment. FAO also considers that:

i) hunger and poverty can be eliminated by 2030 through a combination of social protection measures, targeted pro-poor investments in productive activities as well as targeted nutrition initiatives (Regional Initiative 1); ii) It takes a food systems approach with two integrated components, namely sustainable production intensification and inclusive value chain development with special consideration to gender, youth, governance and climate change perspectives, as further outlined (Regional Initiative 2); and iii) Increasing the resilience of people and their livelihoods to these threats and crises as a key cornerstone to achieving food and nutrition security (Regional Initiative)

The FAO Country Offices provide support to governments to develop policies, programmers and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner. The Country Programming Framework (CPF) for Angola is structured around four main priority areas: (i) Food Systems, Transfomation, Food Security and Nutrition; (ii) Family Farming, Agro-industry and Value Chain Development; (iii) Natural Resources Management, Environment and Climate Change; and (iv) Resilience. These priority areas are currently operationalized through 20 ongoing projects.

FAO Angola seeks to recruit a National Business Development Specialist for the “Strengthened Capacity Building for Artisanal Fishery Value Chain Actors in the blue economy sector (GCP/ANG/075/EU)” project within the Natural Resources Management, Environment and Climate Change thematic Unit. The National Business Development Specialist will work under a cost-sharing arrangement across projects within the fisheries and aquaculture as well as the agribusiness development portfolio in supporting development and implementation of fisheries, aquaculture, and blue economy actions within the respective portfolio.

Reporting Line

The National Business Development Specialist will work under the overall supervision of the Assistant to FAO Representative in Angola for Programme (AFAOR-P) and direct supervision of the National Project Coordinator (NPC). The Specialist will also work in close collaboration with the National Field Officers, the INAPEM network of business service providers, and relevant partners from the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MINPERMAR), as well as local cooperatives and community organizations involved in the project.

The National Business Development Specialist will plan and implement interventions to enhance the efficiency, sustainability, and inclusiveness of fisheries and aquaculture value chains, with emphasis on women and youth empowerment within the Blue Economy framework. In collaboration with INAPEM service providers, the Specialist will ensure the technical quality of value chain support, the relevance of capacity development programmes, and the accuracy of investment-related information.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Support the implementation of capacity-building initiatives and strategies to strengthen artisanal fisheries and aquaculture value chains, with emphasis on business development, market access, and financial inclusion.
• Contribute to the design, adaptation, and delivery of training modules on entrepreneurship, cooperative management, and financial literacy, in coordination with INAPEM and relevant partners.
• Provide technical guidance to cooperatives, associations, and small enterprises on business planning, record-keeping, and investment readiness.
• Support the identification and facilitation of linkages among producers, processors, traders, and financial institutions to enhance value chain integration.
• Contribute to the implementation of capacity development programmes, ensuring the mainstreaming of gender equality and youth inclusion.
• Assist in monitoring and evaluating business development components of the project, ensuring timely data collection, analysis, and reporting.
• Prepare technical and progress reports, documenting lessons learned, good practices, and knowledge-sharing materials.
• Collaborate closely with Field Officers, the National Project Coordinator, and governmental and non-governmental partners to ensure effective coordination and implementation of project activities.
• Perform any other related duties as assigned by the Chief Technical Advisor, the National Project Coordinator, or the FAO Representative in Angola.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in Economics, Business Administration, Agribusiness, Rural Development, or a related field
• At least five years of relevant professional experience in business development, value chain strengthening, financial inclusion, or enterprise support, preferably in the fisheries, aquaculture, or agriculture sectors
• Working knowledge (Level C) of English and Portuguese
• Nationality of Angola

FAO Core Competencies

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

Selection Criteria

• Knowledge of other local languages will be considered an asset.

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