POLICY ANALYST

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

• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination　　
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
• FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.

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 Policy Analyst reports to the Assistant FAO Representative (Programme).

Technical Focus:

FAO Philippines is providing support to the Department of Agriculture through a project entitled Establishment of a central database of Agricultural Commodities (TCP/PHI/3809/C6). The project aims to capacitate the DA Policy and Planning Staff to conduct data mining analysis (statistical, trend) and development of policy briefs. Relatedly, the project will seek to analyze the existing data gathering and reporting methodologies and tools in place.

Tasks and responsibilities

The Policy Analyst will work in collaboration with the Assistant FAO Representative (Programme), DA Office for Policy and Planning and Statistical Training Specialist, and will carry out the following tasks:

• Contribute to the implementation of the TCP/PHI/3809/C6 project, including management of workplan, coordination with key counterparts to ensure alignment and follow through, and ensuring visibility and outreach of the initiative
• Conduct Training Needs Assessment Survey for DA Policy, Planning and Regulations Staff
• Develop Training Plan based on the results of the assessment, focusing on policy analysis
• In collaboration with the Statistical Training Specialist, facilitate the mentoring session on policy analysis and development of policy briefs, to the involved project personnel composed of DA
• Provide technical guidance to DA in drafting Policy Briefs
• Develop online and offline training modules for DA, for policy analysis
• Contribute to the preparation of the TCP Terminal Report
• Provide updates and relevant recommendations to the Country Office in relation to project implementation and sustainability
• In collaboration with the Statistical Training Specialist, develop relevant briefers, concept notes and other materials related to the project
• 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

• Advanced University Degree in Economics, Agriculture Economics, Development Studies, Public Policy or related field
• At least 9 years relevant work experience in research, projects involving agricultural policy analysis and development of policy briefs
• Working knowledge of English
• A national of the Philippines or with a regular working permit in the Philippines

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Strong analytical skills and excellent command of applied economic/statistical theories, and econometrics or other methods related to field of expertise
• Authored policy briefs or discussion papers
• 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
• Familiarity with FAO operational procedures is an advantage
• In line with FAO policy, commitment to placing accountability to people affected by disaster framework at the core of FAO’s emergency policy and practice, from preparedness up to the onset of an emergency in all phases of the programme cycle

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.