Farming Systems Specialist

Organizational Setting

For more than four decades, FAO has been working with the Government of the Philippines, civil society, community-based organizations 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, improving post-harvest management, enhancing productivity and increasing the resilience of agriculture-based livelihoods to natural disasters, climatic hazards and armed conflict.

FAO is implementing a UN Joint Programme on Farmers-Fisherfolks’ Advancement and Integration to Resilient Value Chains in BARMM (FAIR-VALUE). The project, funded by European Union, is implemented jointly with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the International Trade Centre (ITC).

The Project aims to improve the local agricultural/sea-aqua product production in quality, diversity, consolidation and its response to the needs of the market, with a primary focus on agri-fishery communities and smallholder clusters in the island provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi (BaSulTa). Potential commodities to be supported by the project are rubber, coffee and seaweed.

Reporting Lines

The Farming Systems Specialist will report to the FAO Representative in the Philippines and in coordination with the Project Coordinator.

Technical Focus

The Farming Systems Specialist will lead the conduct of assessment and diagnosis of the farming systems of producers targeted by the project, implementation of capacity-building efforts, including the establishment of Farmer Field Schools for the target agri-fishery communities in Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi.

Tasks and responsibilities

The Farming Systems Specialist will undertake the following duties:

• Conduct an assessment and diagnosis of the farming system of producers targeted by the project, including the description of the various cropping/livestock/aquaculture/processing systems as well as non-farming income sources and their combinations, the strategic use of production factors (land, finance, labor etc.) and their opportunity costs, the marketing strategies, the various indicators of economic performance and efficiency, the capital of the farms as well as the capitalization/decapitalization trends, the history and perspectives of the farms, the innovations, social networks and collective action, the opportunities and challenges, the farm calendar etc.
• Provide technical guidance and expertise in the strengthening of the value chains covered by the project.
• Lead the capacity-building efforts for the target agri-fishery communities and clusters, ensuring the transfer of knowledge and skills on sustainable and resilient production practices, such as Crops/sea-product Good Agricultural Practices, Good Production Practices, and Smart Climate Production Techniques.
• Facilitate the establishment and implementation of Farmer Field Schools (FFS) or similar farmer-driven extension and coaching systems, promoting the recognition and exchange of knowledge, techniques, and best practices among the agri-fishery communities.
• Collaborate with project partners, including government agencies (MAFAR, MTIT, MOST), local governments, civil society organizations, and academic institutions, to ensure the integration of sustainable agrarian practices and climate-smart approaches into their programs and initiatives.
• Provide technical support in the development and implementation of tailor-fit production plans for the targeted agri-fishery communities and clusters, considering factors such as climate risks, seasonal variations, market demands, and halal requirements.
• Contribute to the monitoring and evaluation activities related to the project’s agrarian systems and sustainable production components, ensuring the collection and analysis of relevant data and the documentation of lessons learned and best practices.
• Perform any other duties as may be required by the Project Coordinator or FAO Representative in line with the project’s objectives.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree (master’s or equivalent) in agriculture, agronomy, agricultural systems, environmental sciences, or a related field.
• At least 5 years of professional experience in the field of agrarian systems assessment and diagnosis, sustainable agriculture, climate-smart practices, and rural development, with experience working in conflict-affected or fragile contexts.
• Working knowledge of English and Tagalog;
• National of Philippines

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Extensive knowledge of agrarian systems, sustainable agricultural practices, and climate-smart production techniques
• Expertise in capacity-building and knowledge transfer methodologies for smallholder farmers and rural communities
• Familiarity with value chain development approaches and market-oriented production strategies
• Understanding of conflict sensitivity and ‘Do No Harm’ principles in fragile and conflict-affected contexts
• Experience in project monitoring and evaluation, particularly in the agriculture and rural development sectors
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in participatory approaches, such as Farmer Field Schools, and farmer-driven extension methodologies.
• Familiarity with the concepts of value chain development, market-oriented production, and inclusive agricultural practices.
• Excellent communication and training skills, with the ability to effectively transfer knowledge to diverse audiences, including smallholder farmers and local government officials.
• Willingness to travel frequently to project sites in remote and challenging environments.
• Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with project partners and stakeholders.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION