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:
(i) advocate, inform and support policies and investments in the areas of FAO’s mandate;
(i) 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 Cotabato City, Philippines.
Reporting Lines
The Community Engagement Specialist will report to the Assistant FAO Representative for Programme.
Technical Focus
The position centers on project management, participatory governance, community-based approaches, strategic communication, and coordination with government and implementing partners to ensure the effective delivery, sustainability, and documentation of digital innovation initiatives.
Tasks and responsibilities
• Assist the FAO Representative and the Mindanao Coordinator in engaging with local authorities with regards to the delivery and sustainability of the project;
• Contribute towards strengthening participatory governance in designing, planning and implementing digital innovations or digital village initiatives by introducing community-based approaches that will encourage and promote the inclusion of government partners and beneficiary citizens in decision-making processes;
• Oversee and ensure the timely and quality management and delivery of the project (technical and financial); Support to the process documentation or evaluation, project operational and financial closure;
• Write one publication on digital tools to empower small scale fishers in Mindanao and various communication materials (one per month) for social media or traditional media;
• Support in the development of project proposals, concept notes, progress reports; hiring of consultants, and liaison with FAO regional office counterparts;
• Provide strategic inputs in the implementation of activities for every output;
• Work collaboratively with project field staff on preparation and mobilization activities;
• Support the preparation of project reports, briefs and various correspondence, knowledge products and information dissemination, including background research and synthesis and editing of information;
• Support that government counterparts and other implementing partners are updated on the status of project delivery; Carry out any other relevant duties within his/her technical competence as may be requested by FAO;
• Prepare and submit end of assignment report with lessons learned and best practices and terminal report in accordance with FAO guidelines.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• The candidate must have a university degree in community development, development studies or other related discipline relevant to the assignment.
• The candidate should have at least seven (7) years of experience in participatory digital tools, community engagement, aquaculture projects
• A national of Philippines.
• Working knowledge (level C) of English and Filipino.
FAO Core Competencies
• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
• Ability to work under pressure and adapt to an evolving and complex humanitarian context and within multidisciplinary and different cultural background teams
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Tagalog
• General knowledge and skills in the use of standard software, such as MS Office (Word, Excel, Power Point)