Agricultural Data Systems Specialist

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 Agricultural Data Systems Specialist will directly report to the Assistant FAO Representative (Programme).

Technical Focus

FAO is implementing a Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP) in enhancing farmers information system for Disaster Risk FAO is implementing a Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP) to provide the necessary expertise and technical support in enhancing their existing information system including capacity building on the use of the upgraded system.

The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), through the “Kumustasaka” intends to validate, update and establish the socio-economic profile of 2.8 million Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) using the web-based approach known as DAR Database System (DDS). Among its objectives are to profile, account and validate the 105 551 ARBs who received their certificate of land ownership award (CLOA) during 2016-20 and to monitor the socio-economic status of the 2.8 million ARBs found in the Emancipation Patent (EP)/CLOA-IS of the DAR through continuing data updating initiative using the DDS and to design and implement a research (ARB profile study) using the updated data in the system for new policies, interventions and program recommendation on agrarian reform. The information system will enable DAR to generate reliable and timely data and information including important statistics for sound decision-making.

Tasks and responsibilities

The Agricultural Data Systems Specialist will work in close collaboration with the Farming Systems Specialist/Project Team Leader and Computer Programmer and will undertake the following duties:

• Support the conduct of the desk survey and assessment of data collection methods and tools for collecting ARB profiles, livelihood activities and vulnerabilities (natural hazards). This includes the data collection methodology, types of information collected, data schema and technical limitations of DAR’s existing survey forms, data sheets, registries (e.g., DAR registry system), among others.
• Conduct consultation workshops on the development of ARB Information system, which will inform the project on the potential questionnaire contents, tools and methods of registration, ARB’s consent, and standardization of terms, business requirements documentation (BRD), Functional Requirements and Specifications (FRS) and other data requirements that will be identified and/or developed through the project.
• Provide support in enhancing and developing and testing the data collection guidelines (modules).
• In collaboration with the computer programmer, determine system requirements where in- scope and out-of-scope business requirements are identified, business rules are defined and documented and interfaces to and from the new application are discussed; and conduct of capacity building activities for concerned personnel.
• Prepare relevant documentation, which will be used in preparing reports, briefers and other information materials related to the initiative.
• Participate in meetings, workshops and other coordination activities and provide feedback on key developments and collaboration opportunities.
• 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 in Information Technology or related fields
• At least five (5) years of work experience with Governments or the private sector on successful implementation of information technology
• Working knowledge of English and Tagalog
• A national of the Philippines or a legal resident in the country

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Experience in collecting data requirements and metrics including data collection methodologies, analysis, and reporting guidelines; validation of data reported in system; system maintenance protocols and manuals; pilot testing of systems, manuals, protocols, and other recommendations; design an enhanced data system and infrastructures; and process framework, documentation, and manuals.
• Engagement with multiple and varied stakeholders.
• 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.

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