Emergency Response Field Assistant - FAO
Job Type | Full Time |
Deadline | 12 April, 2021 |
Organizational Setting
FAO's Resilience and Emergency Programme is working closely with the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) to support farmers affected by natural disasters (Cyclone Amphan, Monsoon Flooding) as well as those impacted by the negative impacts to market and supply chains from Covid 19. A main goal of the programme is not only to increase agricultural production and incomes, but to strengthen food systems, making them safer and resilient.
As a front-line responder for emergencies and natural disasters, FAO aims to maintain a Roster of qualified and capable consultants willing to be rapidly deployed to field locations in the early days of an emergency response. Roster candidates may be rapidly recruited and deployed to respond to cyclones, flooding, landslide, tidal surge and other emergency situations.
The candidate for the position of Emergency Response Field Assistant will have demonstrated experience in beneficiary outreach and community facilitation with farmer groups, with a solid understanding of capacity building approaches and technologies for producer groups. A solid understanding of agricultural supply chains is also required.
Reporting Lines
Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Bangladesh and direct supervision of the Resilience Programme Specialist the Emergency Field Assistant will be the liaison for accountable safe supply chains of inputs and services between cooperating partners, FAO and the communities we serve. The position will also serve as FAO's main focal point for government of Bangladesh partners in the areas of emergency response. The duties and responsibilities will include, but not be limited to the following:
Technical Focus
The Emergency Response Field Assistant is a SC3 and will work with stakeholders from the DAE, local government, community leaders and the farmer groups to monitor, report on and improve the project's reach and impact on communities and households. In particular, the Emergency Field Assistant will monitor beneficiary targeting, cooperating partner service provision, distributions, field reporting, adherence to project activity timelines and FAO's Accountability to Affected Population (AAP) policy, including Grievance Redress Mechanisms and analysis under direct leadership of the National Programme Specialist.
Tasks and responsibilities
Ensuring alignment with overall Programme objectives and promoting standardized approaches as appropriate:
- Oversee implementation of Rapid Joint Needs Assessment recommendations relevant to FAO response plans,
- Represent FAO at bi-weekly coordination meetings at project sites with cooperating partners and government leaders,
- Conduct Participatory Rural Assessment (PRA) actions as required, including Focus Groups Discussions and Key Informant Interviews amongst producer group participant,
- Provide weekly reports on programme progress in the communities, including challenges and recommended design adjustments where required,
- Conduct follow up to beneficiary farmer groups, in particular vulnerable groups targeted by the programme,
- Collect, analyze and report on field data from cooperating partners regarding purchasing engagement of beneficiaries,
- Develop and facilitate Cash for Work actions as well as unconditional cash transfers as per project design,
- Recommend and test innovations in the response based on local context and knowledge to the extent possible,
- Conduct market price monitoring and other food security indicators amongst participating beneficiaries and communities,
- Identify and highlight issues with access to, and quality of, food and input availability in impacted areas,
- Monitor storage and handling of inputs along the supply chain and at facilites to ensure Covid-19 protocols for transport and vending are being adhered,
- Propose programme innovations and improvements for reaching beneficiaries producer groups with appropriate technologies and capacity building support,
- Provide written reports weekly or as needed, providing indicator tracking data to the MEAL unit as requested,
- Facilitate surveys and assessments in the target area,
- Any other duties as instructed by the supervisor.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
- Bachelor's degree required, postgraduate degree preferred in Agriculture, Agro-Business, and Development Studies, Economics, Nutrition, Marketing or other related field.
- Minimum of 03 years of relevant Work experience in emergency programmes, particularly in field positions is desirable.
- Only Bangladesh Nationals.
FAO Core Competencies
- Results Focus
- Teamwork
- Communication
- Building Effective Relationships
- Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
- Working knowledge of English and Bangla essential.
- Proven experience in promotion and adoption of technology and capacity building for producer groups,
- Proven track record of successful teamwork, good presentation/facilitation skills
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills required
- Ability to work independently and without close supervision
- Self-motivation, willingness to learn and strong work ethics;
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
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FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
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Incomplete applications will not be considered. If you need help please contact: [email protected]
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Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
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Only language proficiency certificates from UN accredited external providers and/or FAO language official examinations (LPE, ILE, LRT) will be accepted as proof of the level of knowledge of languages indicated in the online applications
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For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
HOW TO APPLY
Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile. We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date. If you need help, or have queries, please contact: [email protected]