National Agriculture Value Chain Expert

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. In the Philippines, the provision of school meals is guaranteed by law. It has been found to significantly contribute to not only food security and nutritional outcomes, but also broader development objectives of socioeconomic development and even peace-building and social cohesion. However, to be able to achieve this, country implementation needs to be improved. Among others, there should be empowerment and more involvement of smallholder producers, improved market linkage through cooperatives, promotion of nutrition-sensitive approaches, and evidence-based planning.

Reporting Lines

The National Agriculture Value Chain Expert reports to the Assistant FAO Representative for Programme.

Technical Focus

FAO and WFP are working on a potential joint initiative that seeks to strengthen Home Grown School Feeding (HGSF) in the Philippines. FAO Philippines is in the process of preparing concept note and full proposal prepare the concept note and full proposal, in coordination with key partners. The expert will support the drafting of the documents, lead the conduct of workshops and other coordination activities, and ensure alignment with overall FAO strategy.

The support of FAO will focus on the production of nutritious food by local farmers and on supporting the access to the schools feeding market by small producers. It will involve interventions on agriculture production, value chain and market linkage development.

Tasks and responsibilities

The Expert shall perform the following responsibilities:

• Lead the strategic planning to ensure optimal FAO positioning in the preparation of the proposal on Strengthening Home Grown School Feeding (HGSF) in the Philippines; • Lead the writing of the FAO component of the proposal on Strengthening Home Grown School Feeding (HGSF) in the Philippines, including the enhancement of the initial concept note and other relevant documents that may be required, and ensure appropriate integration into the Joint Proposal document; • With support from FAO Philippines, liaise with WFP, concerned government counterparts, resource partners and other stakeholders, including conduct of relevant consultation activities; • With guidance from FAO Philippines, build relations with key partners, including senior officials, to support advocacy of FAO HGSF initiative; • Document all meetings and agreements, as necessary; • In collaboration with the representation unit, coordinate activities with concerned stakeholders in the target sites to support the development and eventual implementation of the HGSF initiative; • Provide FAO management with strategic inputs on key developments pertaining to HGSF in the country and identify other emerging opportunities for potential FAO support and resource mobilization and develop relevant concept note/s; • Prepare progress and final reports, technical briefers, talking points and other communications materials in support of the initiative; • Participate in meetings, events and fora to support outreach of the HGSF initiative, and broadly of food security and nutrition in the Philippines with the relevant staff of FAO Representation unit; • In line with a reporting template, prepare and submit a draft end-of-assignment report which documents the results of the various activities and outputs performed based on the responsibilities of the position; • Carry out any other relevant duties within his/her technical competence as may be requested by FAO.

Minimum Requirements

• The candidate must have an Advanced University Degree in Agricultural Economics, Economics, Rural Development or other related fields • At least 12 years professional and practical experience in the planning and implementation of rural development programmes/projects at the field level • 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

• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Tagalog • Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with a team and with people from diverse backgrounds • Strong understanding of United Nations and FAO’s work • Experience working for a development and/or humanitarian organization