Programme Strategic Adviser

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.

The Philippines’ shift to a lower middle income country has also led to a change in the country’s investment priorities and development engagement. Among others, the country is now able to leverage its own resources to complement financing from various institutions, which support the priorities and related strategies for the agriculture and fisheries sector. However, in view of the fact that Philippines is continuously exposed to various kinds of risks and hazards, both natural and human-induced, the support of technical agencies is still deemed imperative given the need to improve capacities, skills and enabling environment.

Recently, the Philippine government has been able to successfully mobilize financing in support of climate action and agriculture and fisheries development. The Department of Agriculture (DA), for instance, is looking to implement around USD 900 million worth of projects for agri-value chain and fisheries coastal development, climate resilience and rural communities support. FAO and DA are discussing the possibility of tapping FAO expertise and synergistic technical grants support to be able to maximize the impact of such investments, and ultimately mainstream the interventions into regular government programming.

Additionally, the FAO and DA’s USD 39 million proposal to the Green Climate Fund (GCF) has been approved and is currently being prepared for operationalization. There is a need to provide dedicated support to ensure that the timelines and requirements of the GCF are sufficiently met.

Reporting Lines

The Programme Strategic Adviser reports to the FAO Representative for the Philippines.

Technical Focus

In view of the above mentioned developments and emerging opportunities, there is a need as well to transform the manner of engagement of FAO in the country, particularly in engaging with International Financing Institutions (IFIs) and other resource partners to improve country office efficiency and effectiveness.

To ensure that the objectives of the project are achieved, the engagement of the Programme Strategic Adviser will focus on the following: • With guidance from the FAO Country Representative, coordinate with government and IFIs to identify concrete resource mobilization opportunities for the CO • Prepare and negotiate concept notes and project proposals • Contribute to the positioning of FAO in the development of the new UN Cooperation Framework in the Philippines

Tasks and responsibilities

The Programme Strategic Adviser reports to the FAO Representative and will undertake the following tasks:

• Contribute to the strategic planning and engagement to ensure optimal FAO positioning in expanding partnerships with International Financing Institutions (IFIs), multilaterals and other potential resource partners, with due consideration of country context and priorities; • Through the supervision of the FAO Country Representative, conduct consultations with IFIs, multilaterals, government counterparts, resource partners and other stakeholders, including with senior officials, to advocate for FAO priority areas and scope common areas for potential engagement; • Provide strategic advice to the Country Office, especially the FAO Representative, on key developments in agriculture and fisheries, food systems transformation, climate action, and peace-building, among others, including identification of potential entry resource mobilization entry points for FAO; • Develop relevant concept note/s, technical reports and briefers based on consultations with partners and stakeholders, highlighting key points of interest as may be identified FAO senior management; • Prepare progress and final reports, talking points and other communications materials in support of the initiative; • Participate in meetings, events and fora to support outreach of FAO key messages, especially in relation to agriculture and fisheries, food systems transformation, climate action, and peace-building in the Philippines; • 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 related fields • Has at least twelve (12) years of 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 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

• Strong knowledge of agricultural economics, rural development, and international financing institutions • 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.