Neglected and Underutilized Species (NUS) Crop Production and Technology Specialist

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 FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific is currently implementing a regional Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP) on “Transforming Asian Agrifood Systems: Scaling Up Sustainable Production and Consumption of Neglected and Underutilized Species (NUS)”. The regional TCP aims to promote the sustainable utilization, conservation, and commercialization of neglected and underutilized tuber crops (NUS) to strengthen climate-resilient agrifood systems, enhance nutrition, generate livelihoods, and support national food security strategies.

FAO Philippines is one of the participating countries in the region, along with Indonesia and Nepal. Scaling up Neglected and Underutilized crop Species (NUS) in aforementioned countries presents a high-impact opportunity to reduce climate vulnerability, improve nutrition, and strengthen food system resilience. NUS enhance agrobiodiversity, restore soil health, and thrive in marginal environments, while resisting pests and diseases. As nutrient-dense, low-input crops, they support food security, income generation, and sustainable farming.

The position is home-based but will require occasional travel to the Country office and project site/s as necessary.

Reporting Lines

The NUS Crop Production and Technology Specialist will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative and direct supervision of Assistant FAOR (Programme) in the Philippines and work closely with project LTO (based in RAP), International Crop Production Specialist and the National Project Coordinator (NPC).

Technical Focus

The NUS Crop Production and Technology Specialist will assist in implementation and provide technical backstopping, and quality assurance for production, seed multiplication, climate-smart agronomy, farmer capacity-building and SMEs development. The incumbent will ensure project targets are achieved by mainstreaming NUS into climate-resilient, nutritious, and market-oriented food systems through policy advocacy, agronomic innovation, integration of traditional knowledge, multi-stakeholder partnerships, scalable models, and monitoring.

Tasks and responsibilities

•     Provides technical guidance to facilitate the identification and selection of priority species in line with project targets
(e.g., taro, yam, sweet potato, amaranth, buckwheat, finger millet or locally relevant NUS), and analyse production constraints, and opportunities; 
•     Provide technical guidance on sourcing, evaluation, and introduction of climate-resilient NUS varieties;
•     Support the identification, selection of farmers, organization and technical strengthening of Producer Farmer Groups (PFGs);
•     Provide guidance in the conduct of training workshops, establish Farmer Field Schools (FFS), and demonstration plots for farmers, extension agents, and community groups on NUS production and technology adoption;
•     Support in the promotion of technology dissemination through extension networks, digital tools (e.g., farmer apps, short videos, fact sheets), and partnerships with agricultural research institutions;
•     Support in the facilitation of multi-stakeholder consultations (with farmers, researchers, NGOs, private sector, and value chain actors) to identify and address bottlenecks in NUS production and seed/value chains; 
•     Support strengthening seed systems for selected NUS, including linkages with community seed banks, local seed multipliers, and formal suppliers.
•     Monitor adoption rates of improved practices and varieties, and provide ongoing technical backstopping to project beneficiaries and PFGs;
•     Prepare progress and terminal reports, case studies, success stories, and lessons learned on NUS production and dissemination activities for project reporting and knowledge sharing;
•     Submit the project related documents to International Consultant and get approved with LTO of the project
•     Ensure gender-equitable and inclusive participation in all activities, with special attention to women and youth farmers. 
•     Assist in development of project work plan and monitoring framework under the supervision of AFAOR and guidance of International Consultant, NPC and LTO;
•     Assist in organization of project inception and capacity building and validation workshop/ exposure visits for farmers and stakeholders;
•     Support in preparation of Letter of Agreement (LoA) and contract to engage relevant organization to conduct diagnostic study for identification of NUS producing areas; 
•     Provide technical guidance in designing, establishing, and monitoring seed multiplication plots and on-farm demonstration sites;
•     Assist and/or adapt technical guidelines and training materials on good agricultural practices (GAP) for priority NUS, covering seed selection, soil management, integrated pest control, climate-smart techniques, and post-harvest handling.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements    

•     Advanced university degree in Agronomy, Crop Science, Agricultural Extension, Plant Breeding, or related fields
•     Minimum of 8 years of relevant experience in crop production systems, with demonstrated expertise in neglected/underutilized crops, climate-smart agriculture, and seed systems
•     Full proficiency / working knowledge (level C) of English
•     National of the Philippines or resident of the country with a valid work permit

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•     Ability to work under pressure and adapt to an evolving and complex humanitarian context and within multidisciplinary and different cultural background teams
•     Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Tagalog
•     General knowledge and skills in the use of standard software, such as MS Office (Word, Excel, Power Point)
•     Proven expertise in climate smart agriculture technologies, conducting rapid assessments, developing technical materials
•     Hands-on experience with demonstration plots, seed multiplication, and technology dissemination in smallholder contexts.
•     Experience in capacity development, training including FFS and extension system strengthening
•     Excellent facilitation, communication, and report writing skills in English
•     Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly as field positions is desirable.