Project Team Coordinator

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 Philippines has faced six devastating cyclones (Trami, Kong-rey, Yinxing, Toraji, Usagi and Man-yi) during October–November 2024, striking the country in rapid succession, affecting over 13 million people across 17 regions. Among the hardest hit is the province of Cagayan where major crops were wiped out, particularly rice and high value crops (HVCs). Floods inundated farmlands in a time when the wet planting season had just started. Farmers narrated that they had initiated land preparation and set up seedbeds, anticipating transplanting by mid-December, only to see their efforts and investments washed out. Since fields were totally damaged with no chance of recovery until after the next cropping cycle in 6 months, respondents have been coping by reducing the number of meals per day or borrowing money for food to compensate for lost income streams.

The road to recovery and resilience for smallholder farmers, fisherfolk and livestock owners requires a medium to long-term strategy drawing on the ‘build back better’ philosophy. Focusing interventions on Cagayan Province, FAO is implementing the project “Rebuilding agricultural livelihoods affected by multiple cyclones in Cagayan province”, which will provide support to affected farmers and fisherfolk, noting that it is in these sectors where impacts of disasters are most significant, vulnerability is high, and recovery period longer.

Reporting Lines

The Project Team Coordinator will report to the FAO Representative and will be part of the Project Task Force (PTF) and works with its other members, in particular with the Lead Technical Officer(s) who provides technical coordination support, and quality assurance.

Technical Focus

The Project Team Coordinator will focus mostly on Phase 4 and onwards of the Project Cycle (Implementation & Monitoring, Evaluation, and Closure. He/She will be primarily responsible for day-to-day coordination and management of the project implementation. He/she ensures effective utilization of resources, timely delivery of the work plan, consistency and sound technical approach, adherence to budgets, management of risks, and problem solving for achievement of project results, within delegated authority and in accordance with the agreement with DFAT and FAO rules and procedures.).

Tasks and responsibilities

• Provide guidance and supervision to project personnel, ensuring effective utilization of resources and timely delivery of the work plan.
• Prepare, monitor, and update plans with a focus on budget management, work plans, procurement, stakeholder engagement, environment and social risk management, technical backstopping, human resources, and logistics.
• Ensure the Results Framework is complete and up to date, collecting relevant data for regular monitoring of project results.
• Oversee the work of implementing partners and service providers, ensuring efficient management of project personnel, goods, and services.
• Maintain positive working relations with stakeholders through agreed office channels, including government, donor (Australia), partners, and beneficiaries.
• Liaise with governance mechanisms, providing reports and receiving guidance according to project implementation arrangements.
• Identify, mitigate, and manage potential risks, escalating issues when necessary and discussing solutions.
• Ensure communications and visibility are in line with project plans.
• Prepare and submit reports, ensuring all deliverables are completed and project documentation is in order.
• Support evaluation as needed and set up preparations for project closure.
• Perform any other related duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING




Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in one of the following disciplines\: social sciences, gender, rural and community development, international relations, human rights, protection, political science and related fields
• At least 9 years combined professional and practical experience in project coordination and management with government, international and multilateral organizations, NGOs/INGOs and preferably with a UN agency;
• Working knowledge (level C) of English
• A National of the Philippines

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in DRR and CCA is an advantage;
• Experience in humanitarian contexts is desired.
• Familiarity with FAO operations and UN system is desirable

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION