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).