Project Field Assistants (2)

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.

Reporting Lines

The Project Field Assistant will be under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in the Philippines ad interim, the direct supervision of Assistant FAO Representative – Programme, general oversight by the National Emergency Coordinator and day to day guidance of the Livestock Emergency Response Preparedness Consultant (LERPC).

Technical Focus

FAO is implementing a Regional TCP Project on Livestock Emergency Preparedness and Response for Areas at High Risk of Volcanic Eruptions. The objective of the project is to strengthen the emergency preparedness and response capacities in mitigating the effects of volcanic eruptions on animals/livestock for relevant stakeholders of the targeted countries, including the Philippines. The overall outcome is to reduce the possible impacts of volcanic eruptions on animal health, production, welfare, food security and livelihoods. This is attained through better specific emergency preparedness/contingency planning, and to also support guidelines for actions during and after emergency response by adopting an inclusive approach.

Tasks and responsibilities

The Project Field Assistant (PFA) will work closely and lead interactions with regional, provincial and municipal key stakeholders, including the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Offices (DA-RFO); Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) and Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices (PDRRMO); Municipal Agriculture Offices (MAO) and Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices (MDRRMO), as well as other authorities.

The Project Field Assistant will carry out the following tasks:

1. Support the implementation of the project’s field activities as identified in the Project Document. This includes engagement with the local counterparts, collecting data, assisting the LERPC, and other FAO team members on implementation of the project;
2. In consultation with the project National Technical Working Group (NTWG) and LERPC, follow-up on the implementation of project work plans, monitor and report on progress and expenditure following FAO, government and donor agency guidelines;
3. In consultation with the project NTWG and LERPC, support teams in preparation of events related with project field activities including but not limited to:
   • Development of a local case study;
   • Identification and drafting of standard operating procedures (SOPs);
   • Running table-top and simulation exercises; and
   • Other on-site trainings.
4. The PFA must liaise with local government counterparts to identify, collect and upload relevant project data in a timely manner and agreed format; and
5. Perform other related duties as requested by the LERPC.
6. Carry out any other relevant duties within his/her technical competence as may be requested by FAO.

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in agriculture specializing in animal science, veterinary medicine, geology (major in volcanology) or emergency management related disciplines;
• At least two (2) years relevant and progressive experience assisting in project implementation at the field level;
• A national of the Philippines.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Familiar with the local rural setting in Albay or Batangas areas;
• Familiarity with operational issues in field work, data collection, database management, and report generation;
• Ability to plan and work with minimum guidance, under pressure and within tight deadlines;
• Priority will be given to candidates with prior experience working with livestock or working on natural disasters;
• Language requirement: Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Tagalog;
• General knowledge and skills in the use of standard office software, such as MS Office (Word, Excel, Power Point)