Back Project Team Leader

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. 

FAO in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (MAFAR) in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) is implementing a Government Cooperative Programme funded by Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The project, Development of Sustainable Fishery Value Chains in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, aims to sustain and improve productivity and resilience of aquaculture/fisheries enterprises in the Bangsamoro region in Mindanao. Specifically, this project will focus on improving efficiency and sustainability of local aquatic food value chains and market linkages, increase capacity of small-scale producers to augment their income through entrepreneurship using alternative species and processing for value-addition, empower them and their organizations on improved and resilient aquaculture/fisheries technologies and appropriate postharvest processing, and enhance the knowledge and skills of MAFAR and LGU fishery personnel on monitoring and managing fish stock. 

The position is located in the FAO Country Office in the Philippines.

Reporting Lines

The Project Team Leader will report to the FAO Representative in the Philippines.

Technical Focus

Manage the overall implementation of project activities including project budget monitoring and provide overall guidance to the team and technical support related to relevant project development activities.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Lead the overall implementation of the project activities, including budget monitoring, establishing the Project Implementation and Procurement plan.
•    Formulate detailed selection criteria for each component’s target beneficiary ensuring participation from all actors in the fish value chain including women, youth and decommissioned MILF combatants in early stages of transitioning their livelihoods in the local community.
•    Coordinate the establishment and maintenance of functional and institutional linkages to obtain support during and after project implementation including monitoring project outputs and outcomes.
•    Establish a time-phased work plan in accordance with the project objectives, components, and deliverables within the framework of the project duration. 
•    Lead the technical consultations with stakeholders on strengthening capacities for innovative aquaculture in the enterprise, fisherfolk group, and government level. 
•    Lead the activities on technical assessment of capture harvest potential and consolidated capacities to reduce post-harvest losses of fishery products and in reinforcing aquatic biosecurity, fish health, food safety, and Halal compliance through capacity building in laboratories for aquaculture and fisheries.
•    For capacity-building, provide technical support in the preparation of modules, instructional videos and other IEC materials, for trainings and information dissemination activities across three major components of the project, in coordination with technical experts, specialists, and government counterparts. 
•    Facilitate provision of starter kits in relation to trainings on value-added products in the provinces supported.
•    In coordination with technical experts, specialists, and project staff, lead the facilitation the conduct and documentation of technical trainings, study tour, technical working group (TWG) meetings, planning and workshops at different levels, the Bangsamoro Aquaculture and Fisheries Congress.
•    Prepare and submit progress reports to the FAO Programme Unit, capturing activities undertaken, progress towards objectives, and project accomplishments in a timely manner. 
•    Support communication and visibility through tailored communication products and different means including, among others, web, photo/video, social media, and press releases.
•    Participate in technical and sectoral meetings and working groups.
•    Lead the project team in working harmoniously within and with other teams, communicating appropriately, and conceiving project ideas for possible follow-up/upscaling projects;
•    Explore market linkages, investment opportunities, private sector engagement and value chain upgrading strategies
•    Prepare and submit an end-of-assignment report and project terminal report according to FAO's guidelines; and
•    Perform other tasks that may be assigned by the FAOR, AFAOR, and the Head of the Mindanao Sub-Office.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements    

•    University Degree in Fisheries, Aquaculture, or Aquatic Resources or related degree programs. 
•    At least seven (7) years of proven knowledge and experience in project/programme coordination and management of big and complex projects on fisheries and aquaculture or any other relevant fields.  
•    A national of the 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

•    Experience working with the aquaculture/fisheries sector and knowledge of the high impact project in fisheries and aquaculture under the Bangsamoro Development Investment Plan and the general BARMM fisheries/aquaculture landscape.
•    Familiarity with and understanding of the work of international organizations, regional entities and national governments
•    In-depth knowledge of project management and strategic planning, budgets and financial reporting
•    Excellent leadership and communication skills.
•    Ability to promote efficiency toward achieving project objectives and advanced knowledge of best business practices.
•    General knowledge and skills in the use of standard office software, such as MS Office (Word, Excel, Power Point)

Selection Criteria

•    Advanced degree is an asset. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION