National Expert on Seaweed Processing and Marketing

Organizational Setting

Indonesia produced almost 10 million tonnes of seaweed in 2023. This contributed around 30 percent of the global production. Despite Indonesia being the largest global producer of tropical seaweed, the sector has seen a steady decline in production since its peak in 2015. This decline is primarily due to deteriorating seed stock quality, climate change-induced sea-surface temperature rise, immature processing technologies, and volatile seaweed prices. Under the TCP/INS/4003, FAO and the Coordinating Ministry for Food Affairs are working together to address the critical gaps in the ongoing efforts to revitalize the Indonesian seaweed sector through the various project outputs including production and value chain aspects.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of FAOR-Indonesia and direct supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative in Programme (A-FAOR Programme), technical supervision of Lead Technical Officer of the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) and FAO HQ Technical Officer as well as close collaboration with the national authorities

Technical Focus

The Expert will be engaged in facilitating the small-scale seaweed processing, product innovation, and market development for the new seaweed farmed species introduced under the TCP/INS/4003 project

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Assist in seaweed product development for small-scale processing for seaweed-based products using raw material from pilot farms, in collaboration with relevant institutions (Activity 3.2).
•    Deliver training for processing and marketing groups to build their capacity in value addition and product development and promotion (Activity 3.4).
•    Support entrepreneurship training and business matching initiatives and its related documentation (Activities 4.1 and 4.2).
•    Support the review of market trends and positioning strategies for newly developed seaweed products. (Activities 4.2).
•    Prepare related reports including training reports, Back-to-Office-Report and End-of-Assignment-Report under her/his responsibility (cross cutting outputs)
•    Undertake any other tasks as required by FAO-Indonesia.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements    

•    An advanced university degree in processing and marketing for aquaculture/fisheries products or relevant/related field
•    At least 5 years of relevant experience in small-scale seaweed processing, product innovation, and market development
•    Working knowledge of English and Bahasa Indonesia 
•    National of Indonesia or resident of the country with a valid work permit

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•    Proven experience in supporting seaweed-based product development, including food products, cosmetics, biodegradable packaging, organic fertilizer, bio stimulants, feed ingredient and in delivering training to producer groups or cooperatives. 
•    Experience in marketing strategies, entrepreneurship promotion among small holder farmers and processors, and linking seaweed processors to value chains and business partners will be a key asset for this role
•    Strong analytical skills in assessing seaweed market trends, identifying value-chain gaps, and evaluating business opportunities.

Selection Criteria

•    Excellent social, communication and organizational skills with national and sub-national government, international experts and local communities.
•    Demonstrated ability to open-up to new approaches and new practices on the relevant pprogramme development.
•    Demonstrated commitment to participatory and bottom-up approaches.
•    Demonstrating detail orientation, proactive attention to outcomes and expectations, and the ability to understand and effectively use information and data.
•    Ability to facilitate business-to-business (B2B) connections and negotiate agreements that enhance market access and competitiveness