Back Disaster Risk Management and Climate Change Adaptation Specialist

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;
(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 Philippines has faced six devastating cyclones (Trami, Kong-rey, Yinxing, Toraji, Usagi and Man-yi) during October–November 2024, striking the country in rapid succession, affecting over 13 million people across 17 regions. Among the hardest hit is the province of Cagayan where major crops were wiped out, particularly rice and high value crops (HVCs). Floods inundated farmlands in a time when the wet planting season had just started. Farmers narrated that they had initiated land preparation and set up seedbeds, anticipating transplanting by mid-December, only to see their efforts and investments washed out. Since fields were totally damaged with no chance of recovery until after the next cropping cycle in 6 months, respondents have been coping by reducing the number of meals per day or borrowing money for food to compensate for lost income streams. 

The road to recovery and resilience for smallholder farmers, fisherfolk and livestock owners requires a medium to long-term strategy drawing on the ‘build back better’ philosophy. Focusing interventions on Cagayan Province, FAO is implementing the project “Rebuilding agricultural livelihoods affected by multiple cyclones in Cagayan province”, which will provide support to affected farmers and fisherfolk, noting that it is in these sectors where impacts of disasters are most significant, vulnerability is high, and recovery period longer.

Reporting Lines 

The DRM/CCA Specialist will report to the Assistant FAO Representative for Programme.

Technical Focus  

The incumbent will focus on the Output 2.1 of the project OSRO/PHI/085/AUL. He/She will also contribute in the conduct of trainings on climate smart farming systems and improved aquaculture production and exploring insurance products. The Disaster Risk Management and Climate Change Adaptation (DRM/CCA) Specialist will be responsible for strengthening the disaster preparedness and adaptive capacities of small-scale farmers and fisherfolks by integrating climate-smart agricultural practices, early warning systems, and risk-informed livelihood strategies to mitigate the impacts of natural hazards.

Tasks and Responsibilities

The Disaster Risk Management and Climate Change Adaptation (DRM/CCA) Specialist will be responsible for the following tasks:

•    Provide programmatic and technical support in formulating strategies and approaches to achieve the intended results of the project. This includes developing action plans and ensuring alignment with FAO's strategic objectives.

•    Conduct a thorough assessment of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) landscape in the province/region. This involves scoping and mapping active DRRM actors, existing early warning systems, and available climate-resilient technologies. The objective is to develop an action plan to strengthen the disaster preparedness capacities of small-scale farmers and fisherfolks and build climate resilience of agricultural households.

•    Analyze how existing risk financing instruments and insurance mechanisms for farmers and fisherfolks are linked to social protection systems. Explore how these mechanisms can be utilized or maximized to protect livelihood assets and improve preparedness and response to climate-induced hazards.

•    In close collaboration with various offices in the Department of Agriculture such as the Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) and the GCF-funded Adapting Philippine Agriculture (APA) project, facilitate consultations, training, and workshops to develop community preparedness and response plans, including livelihood-saving interventions. This includes conducting consultations and validation activities with key stakeholders.

•    Support the conduct of simulation exercises to test the community preparedness and response plans developed. This involves facilitating decision-making on activity execution, particularly related to planning, budget, and implementation issues.

•    Support FAO Philippines in conceptualizing and preparing project proposals. Engage with development partners for resource mobilization on DRRM/CCA-related interventions.

•    Perform any other duties as necessary to support the project and FAO's mission in the Philippines.

 
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING 
 
Minimum Requirements 
 
•    Advanced university degree in one of the following disciplines: social sciences, emergency or disaster management, environmental science, development studies or other related fields
•    At least 7 years of combined professional and practical experience in project coordination and management preferably with a UN agency; with government, international and multilateral organizations, NGOs/INGOs and preferably with a UN agency; 
•    Full proficiency / working knowledge (level C) of English
•    A National of the Philippines

FAO Core Competencies 
 
•    Results Focus 
•    Teamwork 
•    Communication 
•    Building Effective Relationships 
•    Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement 
 
Technical/Functional Skills  
 
•    Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in DRR and CCA is an advantage; 
•    Experience in humanitarian contexts is desired.   
•    Familiarity with FAO operations and UN system is desirable;

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION