Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life, leaving no one behind.

FAO is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO’s goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 Members (194 countries and the European Union), FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.

FAO Country Offices, working under overall corporate guidance and in line with the Strategic Framework, offer policy advice and support to countries in the mandated areas of FAO, facilitated through partnerships, resources and an active country programme to provide technical assistance, develop capacities and deliver core services while fully observing international standards of accountability to establish leadership and strengthen impact at the country level.

The offices deliver on the programmatic priorities of each country as agreed in their respective Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs) aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and ensure effective and efficient operations with adequate human and financial resources.

Specifically, FAO Country Offices: 

(i)        advocate, inform and support policies and investments in the areas of FAO’s mandate;
(ii)       provide technical assistance and deliver core services;
(iii)      assist and catalyse partnership and resource mobilization activities to support agrifood systems transformation;
(iv)      position FAO as the specialized/authoritative technical agency in food and agriculture and agrifood systems transformation; and
(v)       ensure risk-smart and accountable operations and management.

For more than four decades, FAO has been working with the Government of the Philippines, civil society, community-based organizations, the academe 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, mechanization and modernization through improving post-harvest management, enhancing productivity and increasing the resilience of agriculture-based livelihoods to natural disasters, climatic hazards and armed conflict.

The position is located in the FAO Country Office in the Philippines.

 

Reporting Lines

The Specialist will report to the FAO Representative in the Philippines.

 

Technical Focus

The specialist will carry out activities planned in the pilot country work package and provide technical support to facilitate restoration data compilation and data review. Specifically, the specialist will focus on dataflow and work with multiple ministries, bureaus and local government units to understand how data is collected and compiled for reporting. The specialist will also contribute to improving national databases and monitoring systems and exploring interoperability with the Framework for Ecosystem Restoration Monitoring (FERM).

Experts of different disciplines related to ecosystem restoration monitoring and reporting, as well as data analysis, are encouraged to apply (project monitoring experts, forest data analysts, capacity development experts, etc).

 

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Review and assess the implementation of Target 14 from Philippines Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (PBSAP) 2015-2028 and the 6th national report, LDN Target Setting Programme national report, PRAIS4 report, etc. Document good practices, lessons learned and capacity needs;
•    Perform a stock take of relevant monitoring tools, restoration dataflow, stakeholders and data sources used;
•    Review the default data for supporting reporting on restoration compiled by FAO in FERM and provide feedback on the methodology and the tool;
•    Explore the interoperability of restoration data between Philippine’s national monitoring databases and FERM to facilitate the reporting to regional initiatives (ASEAN Green Initiatives and RESULT Asia-Pacific) and other Rio Conventions, following the FERM interoperability methodology;
•    Provide targeted training on restoration related tools developed by FAO and its partners, including FERM, Ground, SEPAL, AURORA,Target 2 self-assessment tool;
•    Coordinate with the CBD subregional technical and scientific cooperation support center in preparing and delivering the regional workshop ;
•    Support the CBD national focal point in preparing for and participating in the regional workshop and sharing Philippines’ experience and knowledge in region;
•    Develop and document case studies and training material appropriate for different country capacities for monitoring and reporting area under restoration toward Target 2;
•    Perform any other duties as required.

 

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

 

Minimum Requirements  

•    University Degree in Forestry, Natural Resources Management or related discipline
•    At least five years of relevant experience in ecosystem restoration or forest monitoring
•    Working knowledge (level C) of English
•    A national of the Philippines or a legal resident with a valid work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

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

 

Technical/Functional Skills

•    Relevant experience in supporting the government in international reporting processes.
•    Significant experience in ecosystem restoration data compilation, analysis and reporting.
•    Knowledge of issues related to the global biodiversity framework and PBSAP.
•    Extent of relevance of experience on working with the Philippines government in compiling data for international reporting and drafting.
•    Experience in ecosystem restoration monitoring and reporting, as well as data entry, management and analysis tailored to country capacities.
•    Knowledge of FERM functionalities is an advantage.
•    Experience with GIS and remote sensing for environmental monitoring is an advantage.
•    Availability to travel internationally and work under demanding conditions.
•    Ability to organize and conduct workshops and training sessions.
•    Ability to write reports and develop knowledge products.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements