Project Field Assistant (6)

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 Assistants will be under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative of the Philippines ad interim, the direct supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative (Programme) and in coordination with the Assistant FAO Representative (Administration) and guidance from of the Mindanao and Emergency and Preparedness Group (MERG).

Technical Focus:

FAO is implementing a Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP) in enhancing farmers information system for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) in Agriculture that would enable timely, critical, and efficient decision-making and delivery of interventions to improve the management of crops and farm lots. This is through capacity building of the agriculture sector on data collection and information management.

Tasks and responsibilities

With close collaboration with Department of Agriculture (DA) and other relevant partners, the Project Field Assistants will undertake the following duties:

1. Assist in coordinating schedules and implementation of project field activities with the beneficiaries and government stakeholders;
2. Assist in the conduct of registration of rice and corn farmers in the Farmers’ and Geo-Referenced Farm Lot Information System in the pilot municipalities of Concepcion and La Paz, Tarlac;
3. Assist in the collection of data on farmer’s profile and acquire information on planting and harvesting of rice and corn, including damages and losses, and interventions/assistance received after a natural disaster;
4. Assist in the geo-referencing and mapping of pilot rice and corn farms in Concepcion and La Paz, Tarlac;
5. Assist in the conduct of trainings on the use of the platforms for farmer and farm lot registration, geo-referencing;
6. Provide feedback to Project Team Leader and team on the progress of field activities, challenges and other issues that may affect efficient project implementation;
7. Prepare and submit monthly work plans and progress reports; and
8. Carry out any other relevant duties within his/her technical competence as may be requested by FAO.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in agriculture (major in soil science, agronomy, horticulture, farming systems), agricultural extension or related field.
• 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

• Familiarity with geo-referencing and/or farmer’s registration system is an advantage.
• General knowledge and skills in the use of standard office software, such as MS Office (Word, Excel, Power Point).
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Tagalog.
• Qualified candidates residing within commuting distance of the project office will be given preference.