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.ย
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.ย
Specifically, FAO Country Offices:ย
(i)ย ย ย advocate, inform and support policies and investments in the areas of FAOโs mandate;
(ii)ย ย ย provide technical assistance and deliver core services;ย
(iii)ย ย ย assist and catalyse partnership and resource mobilization activities to support agrifood systems transformation;ย
(iv)ย ย ย position FAO as the specialized/authoritative technical agency in food and agriculture and agrifood systems transformation; andย
(v) ย ย ย ensure risk-smart and accountable operations and management. ย
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.ย
The position is located in the FAO Country Office in the Philippines.
Reporting Lines
The Technical Assistant reports directly to the Assistant FAO Representative (Programme) and will work in close collaboration with the Agrifood System Specialist, Investment Planning Specialist, and the National Hand-in-Hand Coordinator.
Technical Focus
The Technical Assistant shall provide operational and technical support in the implementation of activities related to TCP/PHI/4002 and TCP/PHI/4003, as well as provide support in the day-to-day activities of FAO Representation Office.
Tasks and responsibilities
โข ย ย Provides support in the coordination of all activities related to the implementation of TCP/PHI/4003 โ โAchieving sustainable food security and nutrition in the Philippines through agrifood systems transformationโ, and TCP/PHI/4002 โ โSupport to promoting investment in agri-food system transformation in Philippines under the framework of Hand-in-Hand Initiativesโ;
โข ย ย With support from FAO Representation Office, assist in the conduct of in-person and virtual national and sub-national dialogues, workshops, consultations and meetings by providing operational and logistical support, such as coordinating invitation and confirmation of multisectoral participants, and preparation of documents to secure venue/services for activities, among others;
โข ย ย Assists the consultants in the selection and preparation of good practices of agrifood systems transformation, and in preparation of documentation materials;
โข ย ย Assists in preparatory arrangements for participation of national delegation to the next global stocktaking event, and the next investment forum;
โข ย ย Ensures the monitoring of the TCP budget leading to full utilization a month before the end of the project;
โข ย ย Assists in the collection and processing of relevant data and information, and desk review of existing reports and studies needed to formulate the Terminal Report for the TCP;
โข ย ย In collaboration with national and local government partners, technical officers in the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) and Headquarters, provide operational support to the implementation of FAO initiatives in the country,ย
โข ย ย Contributes to the development of proposals, concept notes, technical briefs, reports and other knowledge/visibility products and provide technical inputs for promoting agrifood system transformation;
โข ย ย Monitor project implementation to ensure that inputs and deliverables are in line with the projectsโ timeline and requirements;
โข ย ย Participates in different fora on agriculture and rural development and emergency preparedness and response, and undertake field activities as necessary;
โข ย ย Prepares response and obtain additional information to respond to internal and external queries;
โข ย ย Prepares background material, working papers and tables for briefings, review sessions and meetings;
โข ย ย Provides support in coordinating participation of Government in regional and global workshops and trainings.
โข ย ย Carry out other relevant duties within his/her technical competence as requested by FAO.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements ย ย
โข ย ย University degree in Agriculture, Agribusiness, Agriculture Economics, Rural Development, Economics, Social Science, Development studies or related fields
โข ย ย At least five (5) years of work experience in development projects
โข ย ย Working knowledge (level C) of English
โข ย ย A national of the Philippines or resident in the Philippines with a regular work permit.
FAO Core Competencies
โข ย ย Results Focus
โข ย ย Teamwork
โข ย ย Communication
โข ย ย Building Effective Relationships
โข ย ย Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
โข ย ย Good knowledge of the socio-economic and agricultural situation in the Philippines
โข ย ย Excellent written and oral communication skills in English
โข ย ย General knowledge and skills in the use of standard office software, such as MS Office (Word, Excel, Power Point)
โข ย ย Familiarity with FAO operational procedures is an advantage