National Rice Value-Chain Capacity Development Specialist

Organizational Setting

For more than four decades, FAO 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.

The Office of South-South and Triangular Cooperation (OSS) was established to support the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The work of OSS focuses on a number of key areas as fostering an enabling environment for effective South-South and triangular cooperation (SSTC) in the agriculture sector, promoting the uptake of sustainable agricultural practices, technologies, and innovations to address challenges in agriculture and rural development facing developing countries, establishing a hub for knowledge generation and documentation, promoting partnerships and collaborations with knowledge networks and platforms, and facilitating the exchange of development solutions in support of the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Reporting Lines

The National Rice Value-Chain Capacity Development Specialist will work under the overall guidance of the FAO Representative ad interim, the direct supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative in the Philippines (Programme), the day to day guidance of the FAOPH Programme Unit, and the technical guidance of the Programme Officer in the Office of South-South and Triangular Cooperation (OSS), Lead Technical Officer (LTO) and the project task force in headquarters (HQ).

Technical Focus

The incumbent will support the implementation of the “Capacity development and experience sharing for rice value chains through south-south and triangular cooperation (SSTC)” project funded by the Republic of Korea. This is the second phase of the project which will target national research/training institutions and rice value chain stakeholders, inter alia, in the Philippines. The objectives of the project are to\: i) enhance the institutional and individual capacities in rice handling; and ii) strengthen the enabling environment by supporting the implementation of rice strategies.

Tasks and responsibilities

• In collaboration with rice research experts, support technical assessments and/or other technical/analytical studies (e.g. training/capacity/equipment needs assessment, value chain assessment, etc.) conducted to inform project activities
• Support the development of training curricula, in collaboration with relevant national or international research/training/extension institutions and/or rice research experts
• Provide substantial technical backstopping to project implementation. Ensure timely implementation of the project activities in line with the project workplan and budget, in collaboration with OSS HQ, LTO/project task force and OSS regional officers/focal points
• Ensure coordination of key stakeholders involved in project implementation at national level. Liaise with the national/international rice research experts
• Develop periodic and routine reports on progress of project implementation and any required technical reports
• Prepare project-related documentation (e.g. briefs, factsheets, communication materials, etc.).
• Coordinate the organization of inception and closure meetings, knowledge exchange activities, trainings/workshops, stakeholder consultations and study/exchange tours in collaboration with relevant national or international research/training/extension institutions
• Support M&E-related activities and facilitate identification, documentation and exchange of lessons learnt
• Carry out any other relevant duties within his/her technical competence as may be requested by the FAO Representative

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree (Master’s Degree preferred) in development studies, agriculture, value chain or related field
• At least five (5) years of relevant experience in agriculture with atleast two (2) in rice value chains in the Philippines
• A National of the Philippines

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Experience in collecting, analysing, collating and compiling technical information and data Experience in training curricula development and trainings organization
• Familiarity with the UN System would be an advantage
• Ability to coordinate with internal and external partners considering social diversity, and the ability to work with a high level of independence;
• Language requirement\: Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Tagalog
• Ability to pay attention to details
• General knowledge and skills in the use of standard office software, such as MS Office (Word, Excel, Power Point)