Organizational Setting

For more than four decades, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has been working with the Government of the Philippines, civil society, community-based organizations 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, improving post-harvest management, enhancing productivity and increasing the resilience of agriculture-based livelihoods to natural disasters, climatic hazards and armed conflict.

Reporting Lines

The Project Field Assistant directly reports to the Emergency Coordination and Cash Specialist.

Technical Focus

This engagement is envisioned to support the Central Emergency Response Fund Anticipatory Action (CERF AA) pilot project in Catanduanes, where FAO is the lead UN agency. The pilot project aims to mitigate, and to some extent prevent, the severe impact of typhoons on people’s homes and livelihoods, building on the government’s mandatory pre-emptive evacuation procedures to save lives. As of October 2021, the project has not been activated.
Considering various factors, such as the potential impact after El Niño, there is a high probability of activating AA this year, anticipating severe typhoons. In light of this, FAO aims to update its database and conduct a follow-through orientation on CERF AA for local stakeholders, volunteers, and beneficiaries. The project’s primary focus is to provide multi-purpose cash interventions to vulnerable farmers and fisherfolks, supporting their basic needs and protecting livelihood assets.
The project is implemented in collaboration with the provincial government through the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office and Provincial Agriculturist Office.

Tasks and responsibilities

The Project Field Assistant shall perform the following tasks:

•    Assist the Emergency Coordination and Cash Specialist, and the Project Field Coordinator in the implementation of project activities in the assigned Duty Station;
•    Coordinate and liaise with provincial and local government partners, and other relevant stakeholders for the conduct of project activities;
•    Provide support to the Project Field Coordinator in the documentation of project activities and preparation of relevant reports;
•    Facilitate the processing of administrative requirements for the implementation of project activities;
•    Facilitate the submission of reports and other relevant documents to the Emergency Coordination and Cash Specialist;
•    Carry out other relevant duties within his/her technical competence as requested by the FAO Representative.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements    

•    University degree in Agriculture, Social/Political Science, Community Development, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, or other related fields;
•    The candidate should have at least two (2) years relevant and progressive experience assisting in project implementation at the field;
•    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;
•    Experience working in an emergency response and early recovery project;
•    Strong analytical skills;
•    Coordination skills with strong individual planning capacity;
•    Knowledge of humanitarian principles;
•    Demonstrated attention to detail;
•    General knowledge and skills in the use of standard office software, such as MS Office (Word, Excel, Power Point)
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION