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.

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 the FAO Country Office in the Philippines.

Reporting Lines

The Project Field Assistant will report to the Assistant FAO Representative for Programme and will have guidance from the Project Coordinator.

Technical Focus 

Broad range of support function in the field during the project implementation. This include providing assistance to achieve project outputs through coordination work, field visits, monitoring and documentation of activities, and other field related duties.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Assist in the implementation of project activities for FAO’s Anticipatory Action initiatives in different locations and project areas;
•    Coordinate and liaise with partners from government partners and other relevant stakeholders for the conduct of project activities;
•    Provide support to the team in the documentation of project activities and preparation of relevant reports;
•    Facilitate the processing of administrative and logistical requirements in the implementation of project activities such as workshops, meetings, consultations, survey, mapping, and other project-related activities;
•    Facilitate the submission of reports and other relevant documents;
•    Carry out other relevant duties within his/her technical competence as requested by the FAO Representative.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements    

•    University degree in Agriculture, Agricultural Engineering, Agricultural Extension, Disaster Risk Reduction, Climate Change Adaptation, Environmental Science, or a related discipline
•    At least 3 years of proven knowledge and experience in implementing agricultural or disaster risk reduction projects, particularly those that integrate Anticipatory Action approaches such as early warning systems, contingency planning, or adaptive practices for climate resilience
•    Full proficiency / working knowledge (level C) of English
•    National of the Philippines

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•    Good knowledge of the socio-economic and agricultural situation in the Philippines;
•    Familiarity with anticipatory action frameworks, including risk-informed decision-making and pre-disaster interventions for agricultural systems;
•    Ability to work under pressure and adapt to an evolving and complex humanitarian context and within multidisciplinary and different cultural background teams;
•    General knowledge and skills in the use of standard office software, such as MS Office (Word, Excel, Power Point);
•    Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Filipino.
•    Selected candidates will be assigned in different locations: Catanduanes, Northern Samar, Isabela, Cagayan and Camarines Sur.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION