Technical Specialist (Business Planning) – SB-4
Position Summary Expectations - Duties, Responsibilities
Type of requisition: PSA.NAT
Organizational Unit: FAO Representation in Cambodia
Duration: 80 days
Reporting Lines
The consultant will report to the Senior Project Officer and work under the direct technical guidance of the International Business Planning and work directly with the PEARL Component 2 Lead.
Technical Focus
The consultant will design and implement a targeted training program for CAOs and public extension providers. This role focuses on equipping CAOs to assist farmer organizations in crafting detailed business plans aligned with climate-resilient practices and high-value markets. The consultant ensures training materials are tailored to agricultural contexts, incorporating relevant certification schemes. Ongoing mentoring and support will enhance economic resilience and productivity in the Northern Tonle Sap Basin.
Tasks and responsibilities
Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative (FAOR) in Cambodia, and in close collaboration with FAO Representation teams, governmental counterparts, and other technical specialists, the incumbent will carry out the following tasks:
- Preparation and assessment (13 days)
- Support the international consultant in organizing meetings with the Department of Agricultural Cooperative Promotion (DACP) to present the assignment’s objectives and explore potential cooperation opportunities.
- Facilitate consultations and meetings with CAOs, PDAFFs, PDoEs, farmer organizations, and other local stakeholders to identify and validate business planning needs and challenges.
- Assist in conducting capacity assessments to identify skill gaps among CAOs regarding business planning, financial literacy, market access, and climate-resilient agriculture.
- Support the translation of key assessment documents between Khmer and English. Deliverable: Needs Assessment Report.
- Curriculum and training material development (17 days)
- Support the adaptation and localization of the Training of Trainers (ToT) curriculum and training materials developed by the International Consultant, ensuring alignment with local contexts, language, and cultural nuances.
- Assist the international consultant to consult and validate the training materials with relevant government line department, e.g. Department of Agricultural Cooperative Promotion (DACP) of the General Directorate of Agriculture (GDA) and other stakeholders.
- Translate training materials and resources between Khmer and English, ensuring accessibility and usability by local stakeholders.
- Ensure training content alignment with certification requirements (e.g. Organic, CamGAP, GI, SRP…). Deliverable: Complete ToT curriculum and training package.
- Training delivery and mentoring (30 days)
- Coordinate logistics, preparations, and arrangements for provincial-level ToT workshops conducted in Siem Reap, Kampong Thom, Oddar Meanchey, and Preah Vihear.
- Co-facilitate ToT sessions, ensuring active engagement and understanding by CAOs and extension agents.
- Support the implementation of pre- and post-training assessments to evaluate knowledge and skills gained by CAO participants.
- Provide regular field-based mentoring, technical support, and follow-up visits to CAOs and farmer organizations during the roll-out of business planning activities. Deliverable: Provincial Training Completion Reports (4)
- Monitoring, reporting, and documentation (20 days)
- Regularly monitor and document the quality and progress of business planning training delivered by CAOs and the effectiveness of business plans developed by farmer organizations.
- Facilitate linkages and communication between farmer groups, financial institutions, certification bodies, and market actors as needed.
- Capture and document lessons learned, best practices, and success stories highlighting gender-responsive and climate-resilient business planning cases.
- Prepare detailed provincial progress reports, summarizing field activities, outcomes, participant feedback, and recommendations.
- Support the International Consultant in preparing the final consultancy report, summarizing field-level achievements, challenges, and practical recommendations for sustaining local capacity in business planning. Deliverable: Final consultancy report.
- Perform any other relevant tasks as assigned.
- Minimum Requirements
- University degree in agricultural economics, rural development, agribusiness, business administration, or a related field.
- At least 5 years of professional experience supporting agricultural training, business planning, or financial literacy programs with farmer groups, cooperatives, or extension service providers.
- Working knowledge of English.
- National of Cambodia or resident of the country with valid work permit.
- FAO Core Competencies
- Results Focus
- Teamwork
- Communication
- Building Effective Relationships
- Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
- Technical/Functional Skills
- Experience working with agricultural cooperatives (ACs), farmer associations (FAs), community forests (CFs), Community Protected Areas (CPAs) or producer groups (PGs) in Cambodia, particularly in the context of enterprise development or market access.
- Familiarity with the value chains of high-value crops such as cashew, mango, organic rice, and vegetables, and with premium market standards in Cambodia.
- Knowledge of certification schemes (e.g. Organic, CamGAP, GI, SRP…) and their practical application at the farmer level is an advantage.
- Proven ability to support training logistics, facilitate participatory workshops, and mentor local actors, including Commune Agriculture Officers (CAOs).
- Experience translating or adapting technical materials between Khmer and English and supporting bilingual training delivery.
- Strong coordination and communication skills, with demonstrated experience liaising between international experts, government agencies, and rural stakeholders.
- Willingness to travel frequently to project sites in Siem Reap, Kampong Thom, Oddar Meanchey, and Preah Vihear provinces.
