View Vacancy - Agriculture Adviser

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Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles)
Economic and Prosperity

To manage the UK’s new agriculture investments as part of the recently announced £25.5 million Prosperity Fund for Colombia which aims to reduce poverty and gender inequality through economic development and commercial opportunities in the country’s post conflict zones. Agriculture is one of three components the Programme will focus on (the others are institutional capacity building and infrastructure) over the next 4 to 5 years. There are two specific agriculture activities that the job holder will be responsible for overseeing: i) the development of agri-insurance products and services worth approximately £2.75 million; and ii) an Agri-tech Catalyst challenge fund to support the uptake of agri-innovations in Colombia worth £3.1 million.

 

The job holder will provide technical advice to the British Embassy, Bogota on agriculture development in Colombia’s rural and peri-urban regions and maintain strong working relationships with the Prosperity Fund’s implementing partners (CAF, Innovate UK and CIAT), Colombian government representatives (Ministry of Agriculture and Finagro) and private sector companies, including British. 

Roles and responsibilities:

 

- Programme Management (50%)

  • Lead on the management of the agriculture activities of the Colombia Prosperity Fund Programme ensuring that CAF, Innovate UK and CIAT successfully implement the agreed strategy, objectives and activities for the agri-insurance and Agri-tech Catalyst activities.
  • Contribute to the effective day to day running of the Colombia Prosperity Fund Programme including: finances; reporting; communications; monitoring and evaluation; and robust contract management.   

 

- Stakeholder Management (20%)

  • Establish and maintain positive working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders to support delivery of the Programme including: implementing partners; Colombian government representatives, British Embassy colleagues; British government colleagues based in the UK; private sector companies, including Colombian and British; Colombian, British and international agriculture associations and organisations; and bilateral and multilateral donors operating in Colombia.   

 

- Technical Advice (20%)

  • Lead, within the Embassy, on all agriculture development issues especially on agri-insurance, agri-innovation and programme methodologies on effective tools and approaches for successful agricultural project management and control.
  • Provide technical advice on the Prosperity Fund strategy, programmes and activities in Colombia. Be prepared to regularly articulate technical opinions verbally, in writing and in presentations (internal and external).  
  • Be alert to emerging issues and trends which might impact or benefit the Prosperity Fund objectives and activities. Provide guidance on how to best integrate agriculture innovation, new technology and evolving financial services for the agri-sector into the Programme. Help update Prosperity Fund priorities and approaches as new knowledge and evidence comes to light and agriculture markets evolve.
  • Actively seek synergies and collaboration across the Embassy and with potential external allies to ensure the Prosperity Fund achieves maximum impact on target beneficiaries and, very importantly, creates secondary commercial benefits including for UK companies. Strong influencing skills will be important for this.  

 

- Cross Embassy Support (10%)

  • Actively support the Prosperity Fund Programme Manager and Deputy Programme Manager for both Programmes as required. Be a supportive and considerate team member. Help junior colleagues achieve their learning and development objectives. Provide coaching and shadowing opportunities if required.
  • Contribute to: i) Prosperity Fund and wider Embassy objectives; ii) official visits; and iii) the Embassy’s Economic and Commercial Board and the Programmatic Board. Effectively coordinate with other Embassy teams (Department for International Trade and the Economic Diplomacy and Political Sections).
  • Graduate with a relevant university degree and at least 7 years of experience in a relevant field.
  • At least 5 years experience in programme management ideally in a development context.
  • Solid knowledge of Colombian agriculture-related legislation, policies and regulations at the central, regional and local levels.
  • In-depth understanding of agriculture models, approaches and best practices to maximise impact on poverty, gender equity, economic development and value for money. 
  • A flexible and creative problem-solver, able to come up with innovative solutions to complex challenges.
  • Fluent in written and spoken English and Spanish.
  • Excellent communication and influencing skills including in giving presentations to external audiences.
  • Team player driven by values.
  • Relevant post-graduate degree.
  • Experience with multilateral development banks and international donors.
  • Understanding of UK agriculture-related legislation, policies and regulations. 
26 January 2018
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Full-time
35
Latin America and Spanish speaking Caribbean
Colombia
Bogota
British Embassy
1
COP
8,280,815
19 February 2018
  • 35 working hours a week from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm Monday to Thursday and 8:30 am to 1:30 pm on Fridays. 
  • 14 public holidays per year
  • 15 days annual leave plus 4 compensatory days pro-rata on first year
  • 15 days salary in December pay and 15 days salary in June pay (pro rata in first year).
  • The British Embassy is committed to the ongoing training and development of its staff, and training will be provided as appropriate
  • The Embassy is committed to creating a diverse working environment, free from discrimination, where everyone is included and treated fairly, based on merit alone.
  • The jobholder will be required to travel regularly within Colombia and occasionally overseas.
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This opportunity is closed to applications.