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:
•    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 FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (FAO-RAP) with the support of six countries from Southeast Asia, has developed the first multi-country GCF Readiness project for the Asia region. The three-year readiness project is entitled “Agriculture Sector Readiness for Enhanced Climate Finance and Implementation of Koronivia Joint Work on Agriculture Priorities in Southeast Asia”. The countries included in this collaborative project are Cambodia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. The project will be implemented in close coordination with the respective NDAs and the Ministries of Agriculture through the ASEAN Climate Resilience Network focal points of each participating. This regional project will build capacity to access climate finance for the agriculture sector and create opportunities to scale promising models at national and regional levels. The project countries will also share experiences and co-create proposals for sector-specific climate action at the regional level with public and private sector climate and agriculture finance experts. Investment plans will focus on facilitating farmer’s access to capacity, resources and finance to address climate change risks.
A regional project team and six country-based national project teams will be established for the effective implementation of the project. While the regional project team will oversee project implementation progress and maintain communication with the rest of the PMU to ensure a smooth flow of work, the national project team will lead the implementation of the project activities in the country and coordination for the regional activities.

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

Reporting Lines

The Technical Expert (Concept Note Development) will report to the Assistant FAO Representative for Programmes.

Technical Focus

The Technical Expert (Concept Note Development) will provide technical expertise to support the implementation of the project activities, focusing on Deliverable 4.1.1.2b GCF Concept Note under Activity 4.1.1.2 Prepare GCF concept notes to support implementation of priority agriculture and climate change investments in Southeast Asia. Specifically, the Technical Expert shall elaborate a GCF concept note on sustainable aquaculture and fisheries, ensuring compliance with GCF standards and requirements, and perform the following tasks:

Tasks and responsibilities

•   Lead the development of the concept note on sustainable aquaculture and fisheries following GCF standards and requirements including:
o    Project information
o    Project justification and theory of change
•    Problem statement and climate rationale
•    Theory of change
•    Project objectives and approach

o    Project description
•    Project components and activities, with clear outputs and expected outcomes
•    Implementation arrangements
•    Consistency with national regulatory and legal frameworks
•    Overview of key financial, operational, and gender-related risks

o    Expected project results aligned with GCF investment criteria
o    Indicative financing/cost information
•    Detailed financing plan, including GCF funding and co-financing breakdown by component.
•    Justification for GCF funding, explaining the necessity and level of concessionality.
•    Sustainability and replicability strategy.

o    Engagement among NDA, AE, and other relevant stakeholders
•    Documentation of stakeholder consultations, including government agencies, private sector entities, and local communities.
•    Stakeholder engagement plan, ensuring inclusivity and active participation.
•    Gender considerations.

o    Supporting documents and annexes
•    Logical framework.
•    Theory of change diagram.
•    Pre-feasibility study or equivalent analysis.
•    Environmental and social risk screening.
•    Collect and review existing papers and other relevant information, including the Philippine NDC, NDC Implementation Plan of the Philippines, existing GCF initiatives in the country, tools and assessments, and various agricultural and climate change strategies, frameworks, plans, and policies.
•    Facilitate and support the conduct of consultations and validation meetings with the Department of Agriculture and other potential project partners to identify specific gaps which FAO/UN could complement the current efforts
•    Conduct technical analysis to identify the best technical solutions for the project, ensuring alignment with national and regional climate change priorities.
•    Document the consultation meetings, showing the highlights and recommendations, among others
•    Carry out any other relevant duties within his/her technical competence as may be requested by the FAO Representative

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    Advanced degree in climate change, environmental science, natural resource management, finance, aquaculture and fisheries, or other related discipline relevant to the assignment
•    At least 5 years experience in concept note development, preferably on climate change projects for GCF funding
•    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

•    Understanding of GCF standards, processes, and concept note requirements
•    Working knowledge of climate action in Philippine coastal ecosystems, climate resilient aquaculture and fisheries, mangrove conservation and restoration efforts, national climate change targets and priorities (Preferred)
•    Familiarity with and understanding of the work of international organizations, regional entities and national governments
•    In-depth knowledge of project management and strategic planning, budgets and financial reporting
•    Excellent leadership and communication skills.
•    Ability to promote efficiency toward achieving project objectives and advanced knowledge of best business practices.
•    General knowledge and skills in the use of standard office software, such as MS Office (Word, Excel, Power Point)