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.

Reporting Lines

The Project Development Specialist/Team Coordinator will report directly to the Assistant FAO Representative (Programme)

Technical Focus

The Department of Agriculture sought the technical support of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to provide assistance in building internal DA capacities to be able to mobilize resources that would help them address such situations.

As a specialized agency of the United Nations, FAO will provide technical support to the DA on project development bringing innovative international best practices and global standards with national and regional expertise. The FAO will capacitate the relevant staff of DA in developing concept notes and proposals among others on agriculture and fisheries, food systems transformation, climate change adaptation and resilience. This support will be able to maximize the available investments, mobilize resources and ultimately mainstream the interventions into regular government programming.

Tasks and responsibilities

Under the supervision of the FAO Representative in the Philippines, the direct supervision of the Assistance FAO Representative for Programme, the consultant will undertake the following tasks:

•    Provide support in ensuring the timely implementation of the project activities, in coordination with the DA Project Development Service (DA-PDS);
•    Provide support to the DA in the conduct of the Training Needs Assessment Survey and Organizational Assessment of DA Operating Units (OUs) in project development, as a priority activity;
•    Coordinate the establishment and maintenance of functional and institutional linkages to obtain support during and after project implementation including monitoring project outputs and outcomes;
•    Prepare a time-phased work plan of activities in collaboration with the Economic and Financial Specialist and the DA Project Team;
•    In coordination with the Economic and Financial Specialist and the Project Team, develop the capacity-building training designs/training modules, and starter kits;
•    Provide technical support in the conduct of training and workshops based on area of expertise;
•    In coordination with the Economic and Financial Specialist, review, enhance and finalize the Project Development and Evaluation (PD&E) Manual previously drafted by PDS;
•    Prepare and submit progress reports capturing activities undertaken and project accomplishment in a timely manner;
•    Participate in the project meetings and workshops;
•    Prepare and submit an end-of-assignment report and project terminal report according to FAO’s guidelines; and
•    Carry out other relevant duties within his/her technical competence as requested by FAO.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements    

•    Advanced university degree in Agriculture, Agricultural Economics, Development Management, or a closely related field;
•    At least seven (7) years of proven knowledge and experience in project development/programme coordination and management, or any other relevant fields; and
•    Working knowledge (level C) of English and Filipino.
•    A national of the Philippines or resident of the country with valid work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills 

•    Experience in conducting capacity building activities
•    Must have excellent oral and written communication, coordination, organizational, monitoring, analytical and conceptual skills.
•    He/she must also be an effective team player, have good interpersonal skills and high motivation for delivering quality outputs with a constrained time-frame and achieving good quality results