Posted by The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is recruiting an Agribusiness Finance Officer for its Investment Centre in Rome, Italy. This is a professional P-3 staff position offered on a one-year fixed-term contract, with the possibility of extension.
The role focuses on agribusiness finance, rural finance, agricultural risk management, blended finance, financial institutions, and private sector investment. The successful candidate will provide technical and analytical support to agrifood investment and finance operations, working with governments, development partners, financial institutions, and other stakeholders.
This article provides details about the Agribusiness Finance Officer job in Rome, including the responsibilities, qualifications, technical skills, salary and benefits information, and application deadline.
Job Overview
- Job Title: Agribusiness Finance Officer
- Employer: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
- Organizational Unit: FAO Investment Centre, Asia and the Pacific Service
- Location: Rome, Lazio, Italy
- Employment Type: Staff position
- Job Type: Professional
- Grade Level: P-3
- Contract: Fixed-term, one year with possibility of extension
- Post Number: 2011140
- Job Posting Date: September 3, 2026
- Application Deadline: October 1, 2026, at 4:59 PM
- Required Experience: At least five years of relevant experience
- Education: Advanced university degree in a relevant field
- Primary Language: English
- Additional Language: Intermediate knowledge of another official FAO language
About the Employer
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) works to support the transformation of agrifood systems through its Strategic Framework. Its work focuses on better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life.
The FAO Investment Centre provides investment and finance solutions designed to support more efficient, sustainable, inclusive, and resilient agrifood systems. The Centre operates in more than 120 countries and works with governments, financial institutions, private-sector organizations, farmers, research institutions, and academia.
Its work covers strategic investment planning and policy, public investment, private investment, innovative finance, knowledge sharing, and capacity development.
The Agribusiness Finance Officer will be based within the Asia and the Pacific Service of the FAO Investment Centre at FAO headquarters in Rome.
Job Description
The Agribusiness Finance Officer will provide analytical and technical support for public and private investment operations related to agrifood systems. The position has a particular focus on financial institutions, rural finance, agricultural risk management, blended finance, and private-sector investment.
Reporting to the Chief of the Asia and the Pacific Service, the officer will contribute to the design, preparation, implementation, and evaluation of investment and finance support solutions.
The role also involves working with international financial institutions, development partners, governments, private-sector organizations, and other stakeholders to identify financing opportunities and strengthen investment in agrifood systems.
Key Responsibilities
The Agribusiness Finance Officer will be responsible for duties including:
- Participating in multidisciplinary teams working on investment and finance solutions in food security, agriculture, rural development, natural resource management, and agro-processing.
- Supporting pre-appraisal and appraisal missions for investment operations.
- Contributing to the implementation and final evaluation of investment and finance support solutions.
- Participating in the preparation of studies, strategies, investment plans, and programmes.
- Supporting the development of inclusive and sustainable food systems involving producers, private-sector organizations, civil society, and governments.
- Contributing to capacity development activities related to agrifood investment and finance.
- Preparing technical reports in accordance with government and financing-partner requirements.
- Sharing knowledge and best practices through international meetings and conferences.
- Maintaining relationships with relevant FAO technical units, Programme Priority Areas, and Decentralized Offices.
- Supporting resource mobilization activities aligned with the FAO Strategic Framework.
- Supporting the design and appraisal of agrifood investment and finance operations with International Financial Institutions and development partners.
- Providing technical inputs on agrifinance, rural finance systems, and private-sector engagement.
- Analysing barriers to finance across selected agricultural value chains.
- Identifying ways to improve access to financing and strengthen the bankability of investments.
- Supporting innovative and blended finance mechanisms, including guarantees, concessional financing, risk-sharing facilities, and other de-risking instruments.
- Contributing to analytical studies and knowledge products on agrifinance, rural finance, and private-sector investment.
- Supporting project implementation by providing advice on financial mechanisms and monitoring financial performance.
- Contributing to financing strategies and investment pipelines designed to increase investment in agrifood systems.
Qualifications and Requirements
Candidates for the Agribusiness Finance Officer position must meet the stated minimum requirements.
Education
Applicants must have an advanced university degree, such as a Master’s degree or equivalent, in one of the following areas:
- Economics
- Agricultural economics
- Agribusiness
- Finance
- Agriculture
- Agro-industry
- Business administration
- A closely related field
Professional Experience
Applicants must have at least five years of relevant experience involving the practical application of agribusiness finance.
Relevant experience should particularly include financial institutions, agribusiness investments, and the formulation or implementation of agrifood investment and finance solutions in developing countries.
Language Requirements
Candidates must have:
- Proficiency in English at level C.
- Intermediate proficiency at level B in at least one other official FAO language: Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish.
Core Competencies
FAO identifies the following competencies for the position:
- Results Focus
- Teamwork
- Communication
- Building Effective Relationships
- Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical and Functional Skills
The position also requires relevant experience and knowledge in areas such as:
- Agribusiness finance
- Rural finance
- Value-chain development and analysis
- Business planning
- Agricultural marketing
- Blended finance
- Private-sector development
- Agrifood investment and finance solutions
- Capacity development for financial institutions
- Multidisciplinary strategy and sector-study teams
- Engagement with financial institutions and investment stakeholders
- Work with governments and development partners
- Technical report writing in English
Experience working in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions, is also identified as a technical skill.
Knowledge of stakeholders involved in blended finance and rural finance, including impact fund managers, investors, development finance institutions, the European Union, and other international financial institutions and donors, is relevant to the role.
Salary and Benefits
The listing states that FAO offers a competitive compensation and benefits package. The specific salary amount is not provided in the job advertisement.
Subject to eligibility, benefits may include:
- Dependency allowances
- Rental subsidy
- Education grant for children
- Home leave travel
- 30 working days of annual leave per year
- Pension fund entitlements under the UN Joint Staff Pension Fund
- International health insurance
- Optional life insurance
- Disability protection
- Family-friendly policies
- Flexible working arrangements
The continuation of fixed-term appointments is subject to satisfactory performance certification and the availability of funds.
The appointment is also subject to medical fitness certification, accreditation, applicable residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.
Who Should Apply?
This Agribusiness Finance Officer opportunity is suited to experienced finance and agrifood professionals with a strong background in investment and financing solutions.
Candidates should have advanced academic qualifications and at least five years of relevant professional experience, particularly in agribusiness finance, rural finance, financial institutions, agrifood investment, blended finance, or private-sector investment.
The position may particularly suit professionals who have worked with governments, development partners, financial institutions, international organizations, or private-sector stakeholders and who can contribute to multidisciplinary investment projects and technical studies.
Strong English writing skills are important because the position requires the preparation of technical reports and other analytical work in English.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the location of the Agribusiness Finance Officer job?
The position is based at the FAO headquarters in Rome, Lazio, Italy, within the Asia and the Pacific Service of the FAO Investment Centre.
What type of contract is offered?
The position is a fixed-term staff appointment for one year, with the possibility of extension.
What is the grade level for this FAO position?
The Agribusiness Finance Officer position is classified at the P-3 professional grade level.
How much experience is required?
Candidates need at least five years of relevant experience in agribusiness finance, agribusiness investment, and the formulation or implementation of agrifood investment and finance solutions in developing countries.
What degree is required for the position?
Applicants need an advanced university degree, such as a Master’s degree or equivalent, in economics, agricultural economics, agribusiness, finance, agriculture, agro-industry, business administration, or a closely related field.
What languages are required?
Applicants must have proficiency in English and intermediate knowledge of another official FAO language. The additional languages listed are Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, and Spanish.
When is the application deadline?
The stated closing date is October 1, 2026, at 4:59 PM. The job posting notes that the displayed closure time may be affected by the date and time settings on an applicant’s device.
Does the job offer a specific salary?
The listing does not provide a specific salary amount. It states that FAO offers a competitive compensation and benefits package, with additional benefits available subject to eligibility.
How to Apply
Interested candidates who meet the required qualifications and experience criteria should submit their application.
Post Disclaimer: International Jobs Recruitment (IJR) is a global career platform that connects job seekers with employment opportunities from trusted employers worldwide. IJR is not the hiring organization and does not influence recruitment decisions. For any specific inquiries regarding job status or application requirements, please contact the official hiring organization directly via the links provided.