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 Hand in Hand Coordinator 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 responsible in coordinating with the relevant offices under the Department of Agriculture and connecting them to technical units in Bangkok and Rome in support of the development of investment proposals.
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 national and international experts the consultant will undertake the following tasks:
• Assist the AFAOR for Programme in exploring engagements with other UN and UNCT in relation to HIH.
• Identify and map potential synergies with other relevant agrifood initiatives, programmes and projects to ensure alignment and coherence.
• Coordinate the implementation of the project at the national level including oversight of the national expert team and monitoring the day-to-day implementation and progress of the project activities.
• Collect baseline information required for typologies updating and prepare an inception phase report.
• Support follow up efforts engagements and investments started at the HIH IF 2024
• Facilitate the coordination of the agriculture investment planning and project design process including national roundtables on the prioritised agrifood investments in preparation for the Government of The Philippines participation in the HIH IF 2025.
• Coordinate national participation in national and regional level trainings, workshops and knowledge exchanges.
• Engage with and support in the prioritization of territories and Investment cases.
• Coordinate the development of the economic and financial analysis for each of the identified investment cases based on realistic on-the-ground costings, risks and mitigation measures.
• Work with experts from FAO Headquarters to implement national level HIH prioritization of investments and related planning and costings.
• Assist with the preparation of the detailed Investment note/PowerPoint presentation and ensure timely reviews and delivery of the final ppt by end of May 2025.
• Support the identification of other banks, partners and investors who may be interested in supporting these investments, and assist the government in engaging with other identified investors.
• Support the Government in the HIH IF in 2025 to ensure effective delivery of their prioritised agrifood investment cases and support the HIH Matchmaking meetings.
• Assist the country office in providing follow-up support to the Government on the HIH IF 2205, including with interested investors and partners.
• 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
• Advanced university degree in Development Studies, Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness Management, or a closely related field
• At least seven (7) years of proven knowledge and experience in project management and coordination in areas of agricultural and fisheries development, and/or rural development
• Full proficiency / working knowledge (level C) of English
• National of the Philippines or resident of the country with 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
• Excellent oral and written communication, coordination, organizational, monitoring, analytical and conceptual skills.
• Effective team player with good interpersonal skills and high motivation for delivering quality outputs with a constrained timeframe and achieving good quality results