Project Field Assistant

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. FAOs 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;
• 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 province 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 fisherfolks, 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 Field Assistant reports to the Assistant FAO Representative (Programme) in coordination with the Project Team Coordinator.

Technical Focus

The Project Field Assistant plays a key role in providing administrative, logistical and technical support in the implementation of field activities towards the achievement of the objectives key of the Rebuild Cagayan project.

Tasks And Responsibilities

• Assist in the planning, coordination, organization and logistics of training sessions, workshops, and consultation meetings with farmers, fisherfolk, and government stakeholders for the project “Rebuilding Agricultural Livelihoods affected by Multiple Cyclones in Cagayan Province (OSRO/PHI/085/AUL).”
• Support the facilitation and monitoring of key project interventions such as cash-based support and beneficiary grants to individual and group beneficiaries of the project through continuous coordination with the provincial/municipal local government unit (LGU) partners and regular onsite field visits to activity sites.
• Provide coordination and logistical support in the conduct of M&E activities.
• Maintain regular communication with provincial/municipal local government units, community leaders and partner organizations.
• Help in the preparation of letters, training materials, including presentations, handouts, and practical exercises.
• Assist resource speakers in the delivery of training sessions, including organizing break-out groups, facilitating group discussions, practical demonstrations, and field activities.
• Assist in maintaining a database of project beneficiaries, training participants, materials, and outcomes for project reporting and knowledge management.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.
  
  

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in Social Science, Community Development, Public Administration, Agriculture, Rural Development, or other related fields
• At least three (3) years of relevant field experience on emergency response and recovery operations, disaster risk reduction, agriculture and fisheries support initiatives
• Full proficiency / working knowledge (level C) of English
• National of the Philippines
  
  

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Demonstrated experience working with project logical frameworks, performance monitoring and M&E systems
• Statistical skills for analyzing data
• General knowledge and skills in the use of KoboCollect, Tableau, Power BI and other office software’s, such as MS Office (Word, Excel, Power Point).
• Familiarity with FAO operational procedures is an advantage.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Tagalog.
• Ability to communicate in Ilocano dialect is an advantage.
  
  

Additional Information

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
• Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/
• For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.
  
  

Job Posting

04/Mar/2026

Closure Date

18/Mar/2026, 11:59:00 PM

Organizational Unit

FAPHI - FAO Representation in The Philippines

Job Type

Non-staff opportunities

Type of Requisition

NPP (National Project Personnel)

Grade Level

N/A

Primary Location

Philippines-Tuguegarao City

Duration

3 months with possibility of extension

Post Number

N/A

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device

• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAOs values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
  
  

FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

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