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:
(iv)    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 National Expert on Economic and Financial Analysis 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 developing investment proposals under the Hand in Hand Initiative. The position is mainly responsible in assisting FAO in providing expertise in terms of economic and financial analysis of the investment proposals of the Department of Agriculture.

Tasks and responsibilities

Under the supervision of the FAO Representative in the Philippines, the direct supervision of the Assistance FAO Representative for Programme, and in close coordination with the National Hand in Hand Coordinator the consultant will undertake the following tasks:

•  Collect and analyse economic data using statistical software and econometric methods for inputs into the financial models of the identified projects
•  Prepare detailed financial models to assess the economic and financial viability of the identified projects.
•  Prepare detailed financing plan (working capital and initial investment) for the financial models prepared above
•  Conduct sensitivity analysis and develop different scenarios to assess the impact on the viability of the projects from factors such as changes in prices based on past market trends, other risks on the viability of the projects
•  Support the development of the investment proposal based on the financial models and the sensitivity analysis conducted above
•  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    

•    The candidate must have an advanced university degree in Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness Management, Development Management, Financial Management or a closely related field;
•    The candidate should have at least seven (7) years of proven knowledge and experience in project financial and economic analysis, or any other relevant fields;
•    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

•    Experience in conducting economic and financial analysis of agricultural investments
•    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

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements