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;
•     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.  

FAO is one of the lead Implementing Agencies of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), with a portfolio of almost 150 active projects funded by the facility, in all regions. All GEF-funded full-size projects must undergo a mid-term review (MTR) under the GEF evaluation policy. The FAO Guide for planning and conducting mid-term reviews provides corporate guidance on planning, formulating, and conducting MTRs for projects and programmes implemented by FAO that have received grant financing from the GEF Trust Fund.

The GEF-funded project “Enhancing biodiversity, maintaining ecosystem flows, enhancing carbon stocks through sustainable land management, and the restoration of degraded forestlands (FSP)” is being implemented by the FAO Office Philippines and executed via the Operational Partner Implementation Modality (OPIM) with the  Department of Environment and Natural Resources through the Forest Management Bureau. This project seeks to provide multiple, integrated environmental, social, and economic benefits through cost-effective and sustainable restoration of degraded forests and landscapes.  

The project is at the mid-point of its planned implementation duration and is now required to conduct MTR.

Reporting Lines

The Forestry Expert (Mid-Term Review)  will report to the FAO Representative (Project Budget Holder), and will work directly with the MTR Team Leader and FAO MTR Manager.

Technical Focus

The Forestry Expert (Mid-Term Review) is expected to support the MTR process by strengthening the process (from design to report, including scope, design of data collection instruments, data collection, data analysis and reporting) on his/her areas of technical expertise.

Tasks and responsibilities

•     Review the relevant background documentation made available by the FAO MTR manager and project team, including the project document, project logframe, project progress and project reports, among other things; 
•     In accordance with the methodological approach described in the terms of reference, contribute to the preparation of data-collection tools, including questionnaires, checklists and interview protocols, as appropriate; insofar as possible, participate in the finalization of the MTR team’s work programme;
•     Participate actively in the collection of primary data, as required by and identified in the MTR matrix, under the leadership of the MTR Team Leader during the country visits, among other things, through interviews and meetings (face-to-face or virtual) with key stakeholders, such as government entities, project partners, the FAO Representative, external partners, project beneficiaries, international organizations, the private sector, civil society, academia and research institutions;
•     Contribute to the consolidation of all evidence collected during the MTR process in a structured format following the key MTR questions and criteria;
•     Ensure that all primary and secondary data collected are recorded during the MTR process and organized in a structured format following the key MTR questions, based on which all findings will be triangulated;
•     Participate in the analysis and discussion of evidence collected during the MTR within the MTR team to identify key findings that respond to MTR issues and questions, and formulate preliminary conclusions and recommendations in his/her specific field of expertise, as discussed and agreed with the MTR Team Leader and the FAO MTR Manager;
•     Deliver inputs (including written, as required by the MTR Team Leader) on the specific areas of assessment, per the overall terms of reference, to all deliverables, including: the inception report, debriefing sessions following field missions, the draft MTR report according to the specifications provided in the terms of reference, and participate in addressing and integrating any feedback on the draft report from stakeholder reviewers (e.g. the budget holder, FAO GEF CU, government counterparts, local-community stakeholders), as appropriate, and support the International MTR Team Leader in finalizing the report, as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements    

•     An advance university degree in evaluation, forestry, natural-resource management, or a related field;
•     Seven years experience in a relevant technical area and a good understanding of the national and/or local context, as appropriate;
•     A national of Philippines or resident of the country with valid work permit
•     Working knowledge (level C) of English and Filipino

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•     Experience in supporting, designing, planning and/or conducting development evaluations
•     Knowledge of FAO and GEF work/procedures, or other UN agencies, would be an asset.
•     A demonstration of the following competencies – results-driven, teamwork, communications, relationship-building, and knowledge management