Field Support Assistant (Livelihood)

Organizational Setting

FAO opened the Rohingya Refugee Crisis Response Program in early October 2017 with funding from SFERA under Government Bangladesh official authorization and no objection. Since this time the program has grown in scope, supporting both Rohingya refugees in the camps and host communities. FAO has taken on a significant role in the Inter Sectoral Coordination Group (ISCG) structure. Since this time, FAO continues to support both Refugees and host communities adapt to the new context of an extended Refugee Response in Cox’s Bazar district and is in addition providing emergency assistance following natural disasters, following especially Cyclones and Floods and addressing emergency agricultural and livelihoods needs. FAO is leading in several multi-sectoral projects and co-chairs the Food Security Sector the Energy and Environment Network. FAO is also an active member of the Head of Sub-Office level decision making group. 

FAO Cox’s Bazar maintains two primary programme units, the Agricultural Livelihoods Unit and the Natural Resource Management/Disaster Risk Management Unit. Both units are staffed with technical specialist implementing multi-year programming in coordination with government partners, UN agencies, civil society and private sector partners.   While part of the overall emergency response, the FAO Cox’s Bazar programme works across the Humanitarian -Development-Peace Nexus, bridging emergency programmes with development objectives, ensuring all programming contributes to the Government of Bangladesh development priorities and protecting development strategy gains. 

Reporting Lines

This is a SC-3 level position. The Field Support Assistant – Livelihood will be under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Bangladesh with direct supervision of the Emergency and Resilience Programme Coordinator in Cox’s Bazar and in close collaboration with the National Programme Manager, Programme/Operations Specialists.

Technical Focus

The incumbent will be responsible for activity implementation, i.e. acting as a front-line worker for livelihood program components. The field facilitator will maintain a holistic view to incorporate all aspect of FAO Cox’s Bazar activities, i.e. using facilitator as front line service provider for analysis and management of all data gathered during field activities, also collaborate closely with forestry, agriculture, fisheries and livelihood colleagues to enable landscape scale socio-ecological system restoration.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Facilitate field-level activities related to food security, livelihood, natural resource management, and disaster risk reduction and management and the mobilization, formation, and facilitation of farmer field schools, farmer groups, aggregation centres, and landslide volunteer networks, including, but not limited, to:
•    Organize and conduct community consultations
•    Gather baseline or preliminary information
•    Identify key stakeholders and community groups 
•    Facilitate and/or support trainings, capacity-building activities, learning events, etc.
•    Monitor project activities through regular data collection and prepare periodic reports
•    Contribute to the development of inputs, materials, and equipment distribution plans
•    Facilitate distribution of inputs, materials, and equipment to beneficiaries
•    Promote climate-smart agricultural practices and production technologies
•    Collect agricultural market information, when necessary and as directed 
•    Organize and facilitate donor and stakeholder visits 
•    Monitor and collect qualitative and quantitative data from project activities, including post-distribution and post-training data and disaster impacts
•    Inform beneficiaries of the AAP (Accountability to the Affected People) message and feedback mechanism, and ensure all complaints from beneficiaries are recorded, resolved, and adequate feedback is provided in a timely manner
•    Perform other related activities as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements    

•    Bachelor's degree in agriculture, Agri Economics, Agriculture Engineering, Horticulture, Sustainable Agriculture or related discipline
•    Minimum 3 years of relevant work experience in supporting programme and/or project implementation, quality assurance, monitoring and reporting
•    Working knowledge of English
•    A Bangladeshi national

FAO Core Competencies

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

 
Technical/Functional Skills

•    Knowledge on group formation, mobilization and facilitation for the activity of livelihood including biophysical, socio-economical and institutional - using scientific and participatory tools and methods. 
•    Previous experience in working with UN agency/International Organization is an asset
•    Knowledge of national food systems and agricultural value chain systems.
•    Proven track record of successful teamwork, good presentation/facilitation skills. 
•    Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Outlook)
•    Experience in UN Agencies is preferred.
•    Ability to perform in multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary context.
•    Excellent verbal and written communication skills required. 
•    Ability to work independently and with minimum supervision.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION