Deadline: 31 July 2024

CABI is looking for an Agricultural value Chains Specialist to be based in Selangor-Malaysia

This role is perfect for someone looking to apply their experience and strong understanding within an organization that is focused on helping to deliver 8 of the Sustainable Development Goals: (1) No Poverty; (2) Zero Hunger; (3) Quality Education; (5) Gender Equality; (12) Responsible Consumption and Production; (13) Climate Action; (15) Life on Land; and (17) Partnerships for the Goals.

1. Equal Opportunities:

CABI is a thriving international organization attracting a diverse range of talented people from around the world. CABI staff currently comprises over 30 nationalities and as an equal opportunity’s employer, the organization welcome applications from candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, disability, religion, sexual orientation or marital status. No applicant will be disadvantaged by conditions, which cannot be shown to be justified, and selection will be based on merit.

II. Benefits

CABI aims to recruit and retain passionate people who have the necessary skills, knowledge and commitment to help the organization achieve its mission.  The benefits are designed to make the lives easier, improve work-life balance, save money and safeguard the wellbeing. They include:

• Competitive salaries;
• 26 days of annual leave, plus public holidays;
• Defined contribution pension scheme with employee contribution;
• A culture committed to being a fully inclusive, enjoyable and fulfilling place to work;
• An Employee Assistance Programme, with a full calendar of health and well-being initiatives;
• Flexible working options;
• Career development opportunities including internal promotions, mentoring and Development Bursary
• To visit another CABI centre;
• Health/Life insurance and long service awards

3. The Role:

• The Specialist will lead the Value Chains & Trade (VCT) theme at the E&SEA centre, and coordinate/implement the VCT related projects in the southeast Asia and south Pacific region.
• She/he will lead and support development of project concepts/proposals for business continuity in the areas of VCT and other relevant areas in collaboration with other colleagues and country partners.
• She/he will engage with private sectors (including public private partnerships) around market-based food systems, focusing on helping farmers improve quantity and quality of their produce to meet food safety standards and facilitation for market access.
• She/he will help build and lead a team in the centre with increasing VCT business opportunities in the region

4. Key Accountabilities

The Specialist will be expected to provide professional leadership on agricultural value chains within CABI. She/he will also be responsible but not limited to;

• Coordinate/implement existing and new VCT projects in East and South-East Asia and south Pacific countries and expand CABI’s expertise in this region.
• Lead and support project development activities to grow and expand the portfolio of projects, in collaboration with the Regional Team, Global Director of Value Chains, PDG and KAM of CABI.
• Build centre expertise and capacity, and train junior staff working on VCT related projects.
• Work with agribusiness, farmers and farmer groups, and other key stakeholders to improve quantity and quality of agro-produce to meet food safety standards and facilitation for market access.
• Design and/or support integrating gender, youth, M&E, and climate-smart technology in value chain activities.
• Successfully deliver projects with high quality and results (e.g. compilation of progress, annual and final reports) according to predefined yearly plans of operation to satisfy customer or donor expectations.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with national and private sector partners as well as donors in the region to foster strong relationships and productive collaboration.
• Enhance and synthesize the facts, reports, research data and activities to effectively promote CABI’s engagement and impact for the Member Countries, donors and partners for strengthened organisational visibility.
• Support the Regional Director and regional team as well as relevant Global Director(s) in delivering the CABI Goals & CABI’s Medium Term Strategy (MTS) as well as CABI member country engagement strategy.
• Adhere to CABI policies and procedures at the Centre, including in areas such as HRM, Health and Safety, Financial and Project Management, and IPR.

5. Additional Expectations

• Build and maintain strong relationship with private sectors, partners and donors for continued business opportunities;
• Have the capacity to react quickly and thoroughly in offering CABI’s services to private companies once an opportunity has been identified, paying additional attention to the requirements for delivering the highest quality at speed;
• Be prepared to occasionally work extra hours to successfully produce high quality and timely deliverables in alignment with project requirements and deadlines;
• Play an active part of CABI global/regional team on VCT to contribute to business development in response to international, regional or national donor calls, as well as private partner requirements;
• Manage to lead and work together with multicultural and multidisciplinary teams, tight timelines and variable time zones;
• Networking and coordinating skills with relevant member country agencies and private sectors.

6. Requirements

• Good knowledge and proven hands-on experience in agribusiness and value chain development for a commodity crop, ideally to include public, private and not-for-profit sector experience;
• Proven skills/experiences in proposal writing and development of large-scale, multi-stakeholder programmes/projects under public and private funding schemes;
• Ability to build rapport with a wide range of stakeholders to develop, maintain and enhance internal and external relationships;
• Experience in project coordination/management (needs analysis, concept development, project design and implementation, and monitoring and evaluation);
• Good knowledge on food safety, SPS and other Codex standards.
• Fluency in English, with excellent written and oral communication skills;
• Knowledge of one other major ASEAN language and/or experiences working in the ASEAN and south Pacific region would be advantageous.
• PhD/Master’s degree in agribusiness, agronomy, horticulture, agricultural economics or other relevant subjects with commodity value chains experience
• At least 15 years of post-qualification working experience in the areas of VCT, collaborating with national, regional and international partners and private sectors.
• Strong team player with excellent technical, management and communication skills;
• Leadership ability, and able to endure pressure in a challenging environment;
• Good ability to facilitate learning and professional development in others;
• Comfortable working on one’s own initiative as well as following advice;
• Robust with the operational grip and capacity to handle a demanding workload;
• Flexible and creative in planning and problem solving (‘thinking on the feet’);
• Ability to adapt to cultural differences of colleagues, donors and partners globally;
• Willing to travel to and work in remote and challenging locations in developing countries.

NOTE: This job description is not intended to be exhaustive. It is expected that the post holder and CABI will adopt a flexible attitude and accept that the duties may have to be varied according to circumstances, in particular changing corporate requirements and individual development needs.

7. How To Apply?

To apply, please submit your CV and a covering letter via CABI online recruitment portal HERE

8. About CABI

CABI is an international, intergovernmental organization that improves people’s lives worldwide by providing information and applying scientific expertise to solve problems in agriculture and the environment.

CABI’s approach involves putting information, skills and tools into people’s hands. CABI’s 48 Member Countries guide and influence the organization’s work, which is delivered by scientific staff based in its global network of centres.

CABI is the only organization worldwide that incorporates a dedicated publishing arm and an independent science media organization alongside conducting its own scientific research and applying practical expertise in digital and other approaches to reach farmers and other stakeholders. Its publications in applied life science including world-leading databases, books, eBooks, compendia and internet resources help scientists discover credible and authoritative outputs from around the globe. The tools add insights to data and help people apply science to real world problems.

CABI has over 500 staff based in 16 countries. The organization has offices in Brazil, China, Ghana, India, Kenya, Malaysia, Pakistan, Switzerland, Trinidad and Tobago, the UK, the USA and Zambia