Assistant Agro-biodiversity (ABD) Policy Consultant

Quezon City

Organization: FAO - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Location: Quezon City
Grade: Administrative support - Administrative Services and Support - Generally no need for Higher Education
Occupational Groups:
- Political Affairs
- Legal - Broad
- Administrative support
- Environment
- Biology and Chemistry
- Agriculture and Forestry
- FAO REPRESENTATION IN THE PHILIPPINES
Closing Date: Closed

FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.

Qualified female applicants and qualified nationals of non-and under-represented member countries are encouraged to apply.

Persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply.

All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.

Organizational Setting\:

The project “GCP/PHI/062/GFF\: Dynamic Conservation and Sustainable Use of Agro-biodiversity in Traditional Agro-ecosystems of the Philippines” aims to conserve globally important agro-biodiversity (of rice, mung bean, taro, yam, banana, Manila hemp and others) in traditional agro-ecosystems. It will have an agro-ecosystem and landscape perspective, maintaining the provision of ecosystem services on which agro-biodiversity conservation depends, and addressing threats originating in the broader landscape. This project in pilot communities in Ifugao and South Cotabato will also help ensure favourable policy conditions; consolidate community-based governance; strengthen technical and organizational capacities at individual and community levels; promote market-based incentives for agro-biodiversity conservation; and create conditions for further nationwide replication.

One of the components of the project is the mainstreaming of agro-biodiversity considerations into policy and legal frameworks, development strategies and institutional structures which shall result in a favourable enabling environment for the implementation of ABD management and conservation strategies at ground level.

Reporting Lines\:

The Assistant ABD Policy Consultant shall be under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in the Philippines, the direct supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative for Programme, and day to day guidance of the National Project Coordinator (NPC) and Policy/Institutional Specialist, and working collaboratively with the PMCU Staff. The Assistant ABD Policy Consultant shall assist in the creation of enabling policy environment for the enhancement and expansion of the conservation and sustainable use of agro-biodiversity, including improvement of opportunities for local communities to derive economic, livelihood and food security benefits from agro-biodiversity and increased sustainable use of ABD products.

These will be done through close coordination with the Department of Agriculture and its attached agencies and bureaus, Department of Environment and Natural Resources and its attached agencies and bureaus, National Commission for Culture and the Arts, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, the Local Government Units of Ifugao and South Cotabato, and other concerned agencies.

Technical Focus\:

The Assistant ABD Policy Consultant shall assist in the creation of enabling policy environment for the enhancement and expansion of the conservation and sustainable use of agro-biodiversity, including improvement of opportunities for local communities to derive economic, livelihood and food security benefits from agro-biodiversity and increased sustainable use of ABD products.

Tasks and responsibilities

The Assistant ABD Policy Consultant shall\:

Provide inputs in the development of policy study design and workplan for the review of ABD related international and local policies and analysis in the areas of environment, agriculture, indigenous peoples, and culture;
Provide assistance in the drafting and finalization of the concept and study design and workplan for approval;
Conduct review and analysis of local ABD related policies and travel to pilot provinces, municipalities and barangays;
Provide assistance in the preparation, presentation, finalization and submission of activity report and findings;
Coordinate the conduct of workshops for local and national policy- makers on findings regarding policy reviews and solicit feedbacks;
Formulate policy recommendations in coordination with concerned agencies and based on workshop outputs;
Assist in the finalization of policy recommendations and presentation to concerned agencies (national and local);
Develop capability building and coaching/mentoring on mainstreaming ABD considerations into the national and local development plans;
Assist in the presentation and submission of reports on policy recommendations and mainstreaming ABD considerations, and propose coordination mechanisms for the lead agencies for ABD;
Assist in the revision, presentation and submission of the final report.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING\:

Minimum Requirements

University degree in Policy Development and Analysis but preferably Bachelor of Laws graduate;
At least 5 years of relevant experience related to policy development and analysis on biodiversity, plant genetic resources, Indigenous Peoples (IPs), culture and heritage and other international protocols, agreements as well as local government policies;
Working knowledge (Level C) of English
National of Philippines

FAO Core Competencies

Results Focus
Teamwork
Communication
Building Effective Relationships
Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

Familiarity with the project on agriculture/biodiversity/agro-ecosystem
Knowledgeable about Ifugao and Lake Sebu setting;

Selection Criteria

Experience with government
Willing to work under pressure
Can do multi-tasking
Available immediately for hiring
Can formulate policy recommendations
With working experience with the government agencies related to agriculture, environment, IPs, culture and heritage;