Agrifood System Specialist

IMPORTANT NOTICE\: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device

FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.

• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination　　
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
• FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.

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\:
• 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 Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations through its Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP) entitled “Achieving sustainable food security and nutrition in the Philippines through agrifood systems transformation” aims to provide technical assistance and support to the Department of Agriculture led by the National Convenor in finalizing the National Food Systems Transformation Pathway and in developing a nationally agreed action plan with investment plan for agrifood systems transformation.

The Philippines has submitted a draft National Food Systems Transformation Pathway (FSTP) document in 2021 to the UN Food System Summit. It outlines strategies to transform the country's food system and emphasizes ensuring sustainable and resilient food production, improving nutrition, and enhancing social protection systems to support vulnerable populations. Moving forward, the document needs to be reviewed and finalized.

In preparation of the next United Nations Food Systems Summit 4 (UNFSS 4) stocktaking moment happening in 2025, countries are moving to action plan implementation already. This TCP, with the active engagement of the National Convenor for the Food System Transformation, will support the development of a nationally agreed plan of action for agrifood systems transformation, including an investment plan with earmarked financial resources.

The position is located in the FAO Country Office in the Philippines.

Reporting Lines

The Agrifood System Specialist will be under the direct supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative (Programme) in the Philippines.

Technical Focus

The Agrifood System Specialist shall provide technical and analytical leadership for a robust agrifood system assessment, in collaboration with the Investment Planning Specialist, National Convenor and staff of the nodal unit at the DA, in finalizing of the national pathway for agrifood systems transformation built on multisectoral, multistakeholder consultative processes and its translation into an Action Plan for Agrifood Systems Transformation.

Tasks and responsibilities

The Agrifood System Specialist shall perform the following tasks\:

• Gather, collate and analyze relevant national and disaggregated data to ensure evidence-based national pathway formulation, prioritization and target setting leading to the finalization of the national pathway and its translation to a costed action plan
• With support from FAO CO, organize and guide the national and sub-national dialogues to ensure that evidence-based national pathway is firmly grounded on the CFS Conceptual Framework for Food Systems, clearly identifying the drivers and triggers for transformation and the proposed priority actions are visualized through the development of a Theory of Change or Results-based matrix
• Develop a strategic plan for national and sub-national buy in of the national pathway and costed action plan
• Assist in the preparation of the following documents\:
• National pathway for agrifood systems transformation
• Progress Report using template shared by the UNFS Coordination Hub
• Selection and preparation of well-documented good practices of agrifood systems transformation
• Prepare a report documenting the process undertaken highlighting good practices, challenges and proposed solutions and way forward
• Assist in preparatory arrangements for participation of national delegation such as registration to the next global stocktaking event such as preparation of ministerial and national convenors speeches and voluntary reports
• Craft a joint workplan with the Investment Planning Specialist from inception phase to final endorsement of national pathway and costed action plan, detailing complementation of roles and task
• Provide support in organizing dialogues, identification and invitation of participants, craft activity design, and serve as facilitator
• Provide joint report on the progress of the project
• Perform any other duties related to the deliverables as deemed necessary by the FAO Representative.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree Economics, Agriculture Economics, Public Policy, Development Studies, Business/Public Administration, Agriculture, Rural Development, Political Science, Sociology or related fields
• At least 7 years relevant experience in strategic planning, programming, results review/monitoring and evaluation related to agriculture, food security, nutrition, and resources management.
• Full proficiency / working knowledge (level C) of English
• A national of the Philippines or a legal resident with a valid work permit

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Knowledge of the socioeconomics, agrifood system, and agricultural situation in the Philippines
• Knowledge of the agrifood systems transformation agenda.
• Extent and relevance of experience in conducting quantitative and qualitative analyses, preparing policy briefs and bankable proposals at a national level.
• Extent and relevance of experience in formulation, coordination, implementation, data analysis and interpretation and reporting for assessment processes.
• Extent and relevance of experience in agriculture, food security, nutrition, rural development and institutional capacity building.
• Ability to work and plan at strategic as well as operational levels.
• Demonstrated experience in dealing with government officials, development partners and other country stakeholders.
• Experience of high-level coordination and chairing of meetings; ability to work with a diverse group of stakeholders and develop consensus and joint working.
• Good communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Excellent organizational skills
• General knowledge and skills in the use of standard office software, such as MS Office (Word, Excel, Power Point).

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing).
• Incomplete applications will not be considered.
• Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted.
• Only language proficiency certificates from UN accredited external providers and/or FAO language official examinations (LPE, ILE, LRT) will be accepted as proof of the level of knowledge of languages indicated in the online applications.
• For other issues, visit the FAO employment website\: http\://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

HOW TO APPLY

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance\: https\://fao.service-now.com/csp

FAO IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT