Climate Investment and Value Chain Economist

Position details

• Vacancy number: 2602262
• Opportunity type: Non-staff opportunities
• Grade / contract type: PSA (Personal Services Agreement)
• Organizational unit: FEKYR - FAO Representation in Kyrgyzstan
• Duration: 6-month contract with possible extension
• Application deadline: 17/Nov/2026, 11:59:00 PM

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device

FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.

• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination　　
•  All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), with support from the Green Climate Fund (GCF), is implementing the project “Carbon Sequestration through Climate Investment in Forests and Rangelands in the Kyrgyz Republic (CS-FOR)”. The project promotes climate-resilient, low-carbon development through sustainable forest and rangeland management, climate investment, green value chains, and inclusive rural enterprise development.
The project is implemented in cooperation with the Forestry Service under the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Kyrgyz Republic, the Russian Kyrgyz Development Fund (RKDF), the Community Development and Investment Agency (ARIS), and other national and local partners. 
Activities are concentrated in selected districts of Naryn, Jalal-Abad and Osh regions.

       
Reporting Lines

The Climate Investment and Value Chain Economist works under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative and Assistant FAO Representative in the Kyrgyz Republic, the technical supervision of the Chief Technical Advisor and Lead Technical Officer, and the operational guidance of the National Project Coordinator. The incumbent works in close coordination with relevant FAO technical personnel, ARIS, RKDF, government institutions, financial institutions, service providers, local authorities, entrepreneurs, cooperatives and other project partners.

Technical Focus

Technical and analytical support to Component 3 of the CS-FOR project, with emphasis on climate-smart and green value-chain development, economic and market analysis, green finance, bankable business models, monitoring of green investments, financial literacy, market access, certification, and gender-responsive and socially inclusive business development.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Support the collection, organization and maintenance of data and information related to the economic, social, environmental and gender-related results of supported green businesses and value chains; assist in the application of project monitoring tools and methodologies in accordance with FAO, donor and project reporting requirements, including the Gender and Social Inclusion Action Plan.
•    Review the quality of data submitted by partner organizations and financial institutions and contribute to progress reporting, learning, reviews and evaluations.
•    Provide operational and administrative support for capacity development activities, including the preparation of materials, compilation of training records, and maintenance of information related to gender and social inclusion considerations within project-supported capacity development initiatives.
•    Design or adapt training materials on green investment, climate finance, market access, business management, sustainable sourcing, financial literacy and value-chain monitoring.
•    Support conducting training for FAO, the Forestry Service, ARIS, RKDF and other partners on green investments and green rural value chains.
•    Map and assess climate-smart and green value chains relevant to project areas, including forestry products, non-timber forest products, sustainable livestock, agri-processing, beekeeping, poultry, tree nuts, dried fruit, orchards and other promising products.
•    In support of the gender specialist, integrate gender-responsive analysis into value-chain assessments, including roles, constraints, workloads, access to resources and decision-making influence.
•    Identify bottlenecks, investment needs, market opportunities, climate risks and potential for carbon sequestration, employment and inclusive growth.
•    Review and provide guidance on methodologies and templates for climate-resilient and bankable business plans aligned with project plans and RKDF requirements.
•    Provide technical support to the project team on financial modeling, cost-benefit analysis, commercial viability, investment planning and risk assessment to integrate entrepreneurs, cooperatives and partners.
•    Support the project team in preparation and appraisal of business and investment proposals.
•    Provide technical input to green financial instruments, including loans, grants, guarantees, collateral mechanisms and blended-finance arrangements.
•    In coordination with the Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialist, support environmental, social and governance screening.
•    Promote relevant national and international standards and certification systems, including FSC, HACCP, Fair Trade, Organic and Global G.A.P.
•    Provide support in understanding certification requirements and preparing for assessments or audits.
•    Provide economic inputs to Integrated Natural Resources Management and Climate-Resilient Plans and support alignment with national green-growth priorities and the Kyrgyz Republic’s Nationally Determined Contribution.
•    Perform other related duties as required.

The employee should pass all mandatory training courses which are required by FAO.
VERY IMPORTANT: all staff have to take the mandatory courses within the 1st week of employment

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    Advanced university degree in economics, agricultural economics, finance, business administration, value-chain development, rural development, environmental economics, development studies or a related field.
•    At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in economic analysis, green finance, agricultural or forestry value-chain development, business development, market assessment, investment planning or access to finance.
•    Working knowledge of English and Russian. Working knowledge of Kyrgyz is highly desirable.
•    National of the Kyrgyz Republic or legal resident with authorization to work in the country.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•    Extent and relevance of experience in value-chain analysis, market assessment, business planning or investment appraisal.
•    Knowledge of green economy, climate finance, climate-resilient agriculture, forestry, rangeland management or sustainable natural resource management.
•    Experience in financial modelling, cost-benefit analysis, feasibility assessment or enterprise risk analysis.
•    Experience supporting entrepreneurs, cooperatives, farmers or rural micro, small and medium-sized enterprises.
•    Experience working with financial institutions, development funds, credit programmes or investment facilities.
•    Experience designing monitoring indicators and tools for economic, social and environmental results.
•    Knowledge of gender-responsive and socially inclusive approaches to value-chain and enterprise development.
•    Demonstrated ability to prepare analytical reports, recommendations, training materials and technical documents
•    Good computer skills, including spreadsheet analysis, presentations and data-management tools.
•    Previous experience with FAO, GCF, the United Nations system, international financial institutions or donor-funded development projects.
•    Knowledge of the agriculture, forestry, rangeland and non-timber forest product sectors of the Kyrgyz Republic.
•    Experience with environmental, social and governance screening; certification systems; Geographic Indications; traceability; geotagging; or digital value-chain platforms.
 

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.

FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

 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 other issues, 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. Subject to certain exemptions, vaccination against COVID-19 will in principle be required. Vaccination status will be verified as part of the medical clearance process.

HOW TO APPLY

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application

• 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/. These qualifications should be in alignment with the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) mappings.
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
•  We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance: https://fao.service-now.com/csp

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