AGRIFOOD SYSTEMS SPECIALIST (SC 7)

Organisation: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
Job Reference: 2602023
Organizational Unit: FRSWA – FAO Representation in Eswatini
Job Type: Non-staff opportunities
Requisition Type: NPP (National Project Personnel)
Location: Mbabane, Eswatini
Duration: 11 months
Posted: 28 September 2026
Closing Date: 12 October 2026 at 11:59 PM

ORGANIZATIONAL SETTING

FAO supports countries in achieving the 2030 Agenda through the transformation of agrifood systems to be more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable.

In Eswatini, FAO is supporting the Government through TCP/SWA/4101 to accelerate the national agrifood systems transformation agenda. The project focuses on strengthening the enabling environment for investment and policy implementation, including the review of the National Agriculture Investment Plan, mobilization of investment capital through FAO’s Hand-in-Hand Initiative, and support to the development of bankable project proposals for resource mobilization.

The position will contribute to research, data and information compilation to inform plans, strategies and projects, with emphasis on agrifood systems analysis, investment planning, stakeholder engagement and resource mobilization support.

REPORTING LINES

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Eswatini and guidance of the Assistant FAO Representative (Programme), the position will provide technical support and work closely with project teams, government counterparts, development partners, commodity associations, producer organizations, financial institutions and private-sector stakeholders.

TECHNICAL FOCUS

Serve as the project’s national technical coordination and delivery-support expert and designated focal point for agrifood systems and FAO’s Hand-in-Hand Initiative in Eswatini.

The role will coordinate day-to-day engagement with national institutions and stakeholders, oversee project outputs and activities, support agrifood systems investment programming and analytics, facilitate review and updating of the National Agriculture Investment Plan, and provide research, data and coordination support for the Eswatini Agriculture Development Fund (EADF) transition.

TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Prepare an inception note, integrated project-delivery workplan, national coordination plan, stakeholder map, data requirements matrix and field schedule.
• Serve as the day-to-day national coordination focal point linking FAO, the Ministry of Agriculture, National Project Coordinator, EADF, Government task teams, implementing partners, consultants and stakeholders.
• Maintain an integrated results and delivery tracker covering outputs, indicators, activities, deliverables, deadlines, responsibilities, risks, decisions and follow-up actions.
• Coordinate products and processes under project Outputs 1, 2 and 3.
• Support technical meetings, task teams, working groups, consultations, trainings, learning missions, validation workshops and investment engagements.
• Prepare agendas, briefing packs, presentations, minutes, decision logs and action matrices.
• Maintain an overview of national agrifood systems priorities, initiatives, investments, policies, data needs and partnerships.
• Compile Kampala CAADP Declaration and Strategy implementation guidance, targets and accountability requirements.
• Support review of the current National Agriculture Investment Plan against the six Kampala strategic objectives and agreed targets.
• Serve as the operational focal point for FAO’s Hand-in-Hand Initiative in Eswatini.
• Coordinate preparation and quality control of investment cases, country investment plans, investor briefs, presentations and supporting datasets.
• Maintain the national investment pipeline and partnership tracker and follow up on agreed next steps.
• Undertake literature, policy and document reviews and support research and analysis.
• Develop and administer approved data-collection and consultation tools and organize interviews, focus groups and field visits.
• Prepare monthly progress dashboards and quarterly synthesis reports.
• Facilitate engagement with commodity associations, producer organizations, agribusiness enterprises, financial institutions and other market actors.
• Submit a final project-output delivery status report, unresolved-actions register, evidence archive, stakeholder and investment databases, Hand-in-Hand repository and handover note.
• Perform other programme-related duties assigned by the FAO Representation.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Advanced university degree in Agribusiness, Agricultural Development, Development Studies, Environmental Science or a related field and at least 2 years of relevant work experience in agrifood systems, agricultural development, agribusiness, agricultural investment planning, research, project implementation or related fields; OR
• University Degree and at least 4 years of relevant work experience.
• Working knowledge of English (Level C).
• Must be a national of Eswatini or a resident with a valid work permit.

FAO CORE COMPETENCIES

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

TECHNICAL / FUNCTIONAL SKILLS

• Experience supporting agricultural programmes, investment frameworks, research, data collection, analysis and technical report writing.
• Experience in agribusiness development, value chains, market systems, concept notes, proposals and resource mobilization.
• Experience engaging commodity associations, producer organizations, financial institutions and private-sector actors.
• Experience in project cycle management, stakeholder consultations and multi-partner coordination.
• Familiarity with agricultural investment planning, agrifood systems transformation and FAO’s Hand-in-Hand Initiative.
• Excellent communication, analytical, organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and data-management tools.
• Working knowledge of Siswati (Level C) will be considered an asset.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.
• Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted.
• Higher educational qualifications must be obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED).
• Appointment is subject to medical fitness certification, accreditation, residency/visa requirements and security clearances.

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants should:

1. Visit the FAO recruitment website.
2. Complete an online profile with employment records, academic qualifications and language skills.
3. Attach a letter of motivation to the online profile.
4. Complete and submit the application online.

Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered. Incomplete applications will not be considered, and applicants are encouraged to apply well before the deadline.

APPLY HERE

🔗 https://jobs.fao.org/careersection/fao_external/jobdetail.ftl?job=2602023

CLOSING DATE

12 October 2026 – 11:59 PM