Civic Engagement Specialist

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life, leaving no one behind.

FAO is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO's goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 Members (194 countries and the European Union), FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.

FAO Country Offices, working under overall corporate guidance and in line with the Strategic Framework, offer policy advice and support to countries in the mandated areas of FAO, facilitated through partnerships, resources and an active country programme to provide technical assistance, develop capacities and deliver core services while fully observing international standards of accountability to establish leadership and strengthen impact at the country level. 

The offices deliver on the programmatic priorities of each country as agreed in their respective Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs) aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and ensure effective and efficient operations with adequate human and financial resources. 
Specifically, FAO Country Offices: 

(i)    advocate, inform and support policies and investments in the areas of FAO’s mandate;
(ii)    provide technical assistance and deliver core services; 
(iii)     assist and catalyse partnership and resource mobilization activities to support agrifood systems transformation; 
(iv)    position FAO as the specialized/authoritative technical agency in food and agriculture and agrifood systems transformation; and 
(v)    ensure risk-smart and accountable operations and management.   
(free paragraph may be added here as needed) 

For more than four decades, FAO has been working with the Government of the Philippines, civil society, community-based organizations, the academe and the private sector to address challenges in the agriculture, fisheries and forestry sector. Joint efforts have included increasing sustainability in agricultural production, promoting value-adding practices, mechanization and modernization through improving post-harvest management, enhancing productivity and increasing the resilience of agriculture-based livelihoods to natural disasters, climatic hazards and armed conflict. 

The position is located in Cotabato City.

Reporting Lines

The Civic Engagement Specialist will directly report to the Project Team Leader.

Technical Focus

The Civic Engagement Specialist is tasked to develop and operationalize a participatory coordination and monitoring system that enables civil society to track LGU commitments on the Resilient Livelihoods Development for Women and Youth IDPs in Maguindanao (RLD) project and other commitments related to sustaining agricultural livelihood interventions and food security efforts in the municipalities of Datu Odin Sinsuat and Talitay in Maguindanao del Norte, Guindulungan, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Shariff Saydona Mustapha and South Upi in Maguindanao del Sur.  

The establishment of this mechanism is intended to ensure that the project gains will be sustained beyond the project implementation period.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Initiate the establishment of a coordination and monitoring mechanism involving CSOs, CBOs, LGUs and BARMM ministries to promote joint accountability in sustaining livelihood gains
•    Develop the Terms of Reference (TOR) of the coordination and monitoring mechanism, ensuring clear roles, responsibilities, reporting protocols, and sustainability plans
•    Coordinate the kick-off meeting of the coordination and monitoring mechanism, ensuring inclusive participation and consensus building
•    Map and engage other relevant stakeholders (women’s groups, youth organizations, traditional leaders, cooperatives) who can contribute to and benefit from the participatory system
•    Document local government and ministries’ commitments related to the RLD projects and other agricultural and food security interventions in the project site
•    Analyze trends and bottlenecks in the implementation of LGU and ministries commitments and provide advice on how to improve accountability and responsiveness
•    Submit a comprehensive report detailing the establishment process, stakeholder feedback, engagement outcomes and concrete recommendations to the project team, LGUs and BARMM ministries

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements    

•    University degree in public administration, agriculture and rural development, development studies or related degree programs
•    At least five (5) years of experience in civic engagement, rural development, or governance in fragile or conflict-prone contexts
•    Working knowledge (level C) of English and Filipino
•    National of the Philippines 

FAO Core Competencies

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

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION