Agricultural Biosystems Engineer

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 Biosystems Engineer reports to the Assistant FAO Representative for Programme.

Technical Focus

To assess the advancement of farm mechanization in the country and its contribution to the growth of the agricultural sector, it is important to establish an indicator that captures the physical, technical, cultural and operational efficiencies in an area. Such indicator should be periodically monitored to determine the appropriate mechanization technologies to be acquired. It can thus be used by policy makers and planners to rationalize the acquisition, distribution, and utilization of mechanization technologies for better use of resources.

Presently, the level of mechanization with an index of hp/ha is considered as the standard parameter. The protocol in the calculation of which however varies and has not yet been standardized. A project proposal is therefore being submitted to standardize the procedure, which will be used to determine the level of mechanization at the national, regional, and local levels. Note that such data can be very useful at the local level considering the greater role of the Local Government Units in the implementation of devolved mechanization initiatives.

Notwithstanding the need to establish a uniform procedure of determining the level of mechanization, a management information system has been developed to serve as repository of mechanization interventions. It also houses the on-going census of machinery, which covers both public and private-led procurement and will be used to facilitate the determination of the level of mechanization. It is expected that the analysis of such inventory can provide insights on the needs and future direction of mechanization in the country. Relatedly, building capacities at the regional and local levels to adopt the harmonized mechanization index (HMI) methodology will help in better understanding the current context and situation, including the gaps.

This will then support the DA, through the FAO project team, in formulating and implementing policies that will improve the planning and programming of needed investments that would lead to an improvement in the level of mechanization in the country.

Tasks and responsibilities

The Agricultural Biosystems Engineer shall perform the following responsibilities:

• Contribute to the implementation of activities related to the harmonization and adoption of the HMI methodology. • Develop guidelines and protocols for determining the level of mechanization at the national, regional, and local levels using the HMI methodology. • Provide guidance and technical expertise in the design and development of the management information system for mechanization interventions. • Carry out the capacity development for Trainers’ Training in adopting the HMI methodology. • Assist the regional and local stakeholders to build their capacities in adopting the HMI methodology. • Facilitate the data analysis and generating reports on the current state of rice and corn mechanization in the country. • Identify mechanization gaps and machinery requirements in the rice and corn production systems at the national level given the computed and ideal HMI • Provide technical support to the DA in formulating and implementing policies related to mechanization. • Carry out any other relevant duties within his/her technical competence as may be requested by FAO.

Minimum Requirements

• At least MS degree in agricultural engineering or agricultural and biosystems engineering • With at least seven (7) years of work experience in agricultural mechanization projects, preferably in the context of rice and corn production • Working knowledge of English and Tagalog • A national of 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

• Strong knowledge of mechanization technologies and their applications in agriculture • Familiarity with the concept and calculation of the Mechanization Index (MI). • Excellent skills in data analysis and the use of relevant software tools. • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills • Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary and multicultural environment. • Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities. • Project management skills and the ability to work independently with minimal supervision