Head of Mindanao Sub-Office

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.

FAO is an active contributor to the sustainable peace and development efforts in Mindanao, especially in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). Since its creation through the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) in January 2019 and then during the start of its transition phase, FAO has been working with partners to extend support on institutional capacity building and resilient agri-based livelihoods development for BARMM, among others.

Reporting Lines:

The Head of the Mindanao Sub-Office will be under the overall direct supervision of the FAO Representative in the Philippines, with guidance from the Assistant FAO Representative (Programme) and collaboration with the Team Leaders of the FAO Philippines Programme Unit and other CO Units.

Technical Focus:

The work of FAO in the Philippines is guided by its Country Programming Framework (CPF). This supports the government in addressing challenges in improving food security and nutrition, enhancing agricultural production and productivity, sustainable management of natural resources and improving agricultural adaptation from Climate Change and Disaster Risks.

CPF supports the objectives and strategies of the new government for the Agriculture sector, as laid out in the Updated Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2017-2022, specifically:

Chapter 8 - Expanding Economic Opportunities in Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries

Chapter 10 - Accelerating Human Capital Development

Chapter 11 - Reducing Vulnerability of Individuals and Families

Chapter 14 - Vigorously Advancing Science, Technology and Innovation

Chapter 17 - Attaining Just and Lasting Peace

Chapter 20 -Ensuring Ecological Integrity, Clean and Healthy Environment

The three integrated PDP Country Outcomes which will be given utmost consideration in all facets of FAO interventions, are (1) Improved nutrition for all; (2) Expanded economic opportunities in agriculture, fisheries, and forestry (AFF) and ensured ecological integrity, clean and healthy environment and (3) Reduced vulnerabilities among individuals and families and just and lasting peace achieved.

In Mindanao, FAO Philippines has the Mindanao Strategic Programme for Agriculture/ Agribusiness (MSPAA), which seeks to provide guidance on the approach of FAO in Mindanao, recognizing the 2 faces – growth centers and lagging conflicted areas. For BARMM specifically, taking note of its unique context, a sub thematic strategy has also been developed, namely the Strategic Programme for Agriculture, Fisheries and Agribusiness Development in BARMM (SPAFAD-BARMM).

Tasks and responsibilities

The Head of the Mindanao Sub-Office cover the following areas: office management, programmatic support, operational oversight and liaison with FAOPH’s key counterparts in Mindanao.

1. Oversee the operations of the FAO Mindanao Sub-Office, ensuring operational and internal controls, programmatic coherence and adequate representation through the implementation of FAO initiatives and activities in relation to supporting peace and sustainable economic development through market-driven and resilient agriculture-based livelihoods based on the guidance set by the FAO Representation in the Philippines, working closely with the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), and other relevant government entities (e.g. OPAPP, MinDA, etc.), UN agencies, regional and local officials of line agencies directly concerned with the peace building efforts in Mindanao;

2. In collaboration with the Programme Unit Team Leaders, be proactively involved in the expansion of FAO’s portfolio in Mindanao, including providing inputs that will lead to generating new projects and initiatives that will contribute to the promotion of peacebuilding and sustainable economic development, among others;

3. Increase visibility, formulate resource mobilization strategies through building partnerships with government, civil society, and external donor community in BARMM;

4. Manage the field office and its staff, including among others ensuring continuity of work by anticipating potential gaps and implementing solutions, and also ensuring safety procedures are in place and followed;

5. Initiate and enhance partnership of FAO with relevant sectors in BARMM and establish close coordination with the relevant government entities, other UN agencies supporting strengthening of the UN coordination, regional and local officials of line agencies directly concerned with the peace building effort;

6. Provide technical support and inputs to the concerned Programme Unit Team/s in the formulation of concept notes and detailed project proposals on conflict resolution and livelihood emergency, including inter-agency flash appeals or other humanitarian response, among others;

7. Provide emergency coordination support in BARMM, which involve, among others participation in damage assessment, project identification, formulation, and resource mobilization;

8. Participate in relevant meetings, activities and coordination mechanisms, technical and sectoral meetings and working groups in BARMM involving non-government organizations (NGOs) and all inter-governmental institutions, in particular, in the peace building and livelihoods working groups/clusters, as necessary.

9. Together with the PU Mindanao Emergency Response and Preparedness Team, provide support in the conduct of strategic planning and programming related to FAO initiatives on conflict resolution and livelihood emergency

10. Participate in the Mindanao Humanitarian Team (MHT) and Area Security Management Team (ASMT) meetings and related activities;

11. Submit regular updates (preferably weekly) on the activities of the humanitarian and peace building activities/coordination in Mindanao.

Others:

• Contribute to the creation of a positive image and overall credibility of FAO as a technical organization;
• Perform any other tasks/functions that may be assigned by the FAO Representative, the Assistant FAO Representative.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced University degree in Agricultural Economics, Economics, Rural Development or in a field related to the work of the Organization
• At least 8 years professional experience on development and humanitarian work in the focal sectors of FAO and 3 years experience in management and administration, preferably in Mindanao.
• A National of the Philippines or resident in the country with a regular work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Strong analytical skills
• Demonstrated communication skills with ability to express and synthesize ideas clearly and concisely
• General knowledge and skills in the use of standard office software, such as MS Office (Word, Excel, Power Point).
• Language requirement: Excellent written and oral communication skills in English
• 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