Agriculture and Farming Systems Specialist

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Position Title: Agriculture and Farming Systems Specialist
Location: Mandaluyong City
Country: Philippines
Deadline Date:

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Established in 1945, FAO's mission is to achieve security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 Members, including 194 countries and the European Union, FAO operates in over 130 countries worldwide. The organization focuses on transforming agrifood systems to be more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable, contributing to the 2030 Agenda. FAO Country Offices provide policy advice and support to countries, ensuring effective operations and adequate resources while adhering to international standards of accountability. The organization has been collaborating with the Government of the Philippines and various stakeholders for over four decades to address challenges in agriculture, fisheries, and forestry, promoting sustainability and resilience in these sectors.

Job Overview:
The Agriculture and Farming Systems Specialist plays a crucial role in providing agricultural technical expertise during project conception and implementation. This position involves working closely with government counterparts, implementing partners, and service providers to ensure the successful execution of various agricultural projects and initiatives. The specialist will be responsible for overseeing project development, implementation, reporting, and monitoring and evaluation activities related to agriculture and livelihoods. This role requires a strong understanding of the agricultural landscape and the ability to coordinate effectively with multiple stakeholders to achieve project objectives. The specialist will also assist in the preparation of training plans and activity design documents, contributing to the overall capacity building within the organization and its partners. Additionally, the specialist will lead project ideation and conceptualization processes, ensuring alignment with the Country Programming Framework (CPF) and FAO's resource mobilization plan.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Agriculture and Farming Systems Specialist include:

• Providing technical oversight and quality assurance for project development, implementation, reporting, and monitoring and evaluation activities related to agriculture and livelihoods.
• Coordinating with government counterparts, implementing partners, service providers, and agencies to facilitate the implementation of various projects and initiatives.
• Reviewing reports, studies, and publications related to agriculture, livelihoods, agri-food systems, and agri-investments.
• Assisting in the preparation of training plans and activity design documents.
• Leading project ideation, conceptualization, and writing processes when delegated, in support of the CPF 2025-28 implementation and FAO PH resource mobilization plan.
• Providing technical inputs in the preparation of concept notes, technical briefs, reports, and other knowledge/visibility products.
• Drafting technical specifications for agricultural inputs and facilitating technical clearance.
• Participating in technical and sectoral meetings, including agriculture and livelihoods working groups/clusters.
• Collecting and organizing relevant data and background information related to FAO's activities in the country. 1
• Preparing and submitting an end-of-assignment report in English according to FAO's guidelines. 1
• Carrying out any other relevant duties within the technical competence as requested by the FAO Representative and Assistant FAO Representative (Programme).

Required Qualifications:
The minimum requirements for the Agriculture and Farming Systems Specialist position include:

• A university degree in Agriculture, Horticulture, or a related field.
• At least 5 years of relevant practical experience working in agriculture programs.
• Full proficiency or working knowledge (level C) of English.
• Candidates must be nationals of the Philippines or legal residents with a valid work permit. Additionally, candidates should possess FAO core competencies such as results focus, teamwork, communication, building effective relationships, and knowledge sharing and continuous improvement.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold a university degree in Agriculture, Horticulture, or any related degree. This educational background is essential to ensure that the specialist has the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills to effectively contribute to agricultural projects and initiatives.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least 5 years of relevant practical experience working in agriculture programs. This experience should encompass various aspects of agricultural project management, implementation, and evaluation, demonstrating the ability to navigate the complexities of agricultural systems and stakeholder engagement.

Languages:
Full proficiency or working knowledge (level C) of English is mandatory for this position. This proficiency is crucial for effective communication, report writing, and collaboration with international partners. While not mandatory, knowledge of additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly if it enhances communication with local stakeholders or partners.

Additional Notes:
The position is full-time and is based in Mandaluyong City, Philippines. Candidates will be assessed against the specified minimum requirements and competencies. The role may involve collaboration with various stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, and community organizations, to achieve the objectives of FAO's programs in the region. Compensation and benefits will be in accordance with FAO's policies and guidelines.