Sustainable Livelihood and Enterprises Officer Garchitorena, Camarines Sur Philippines

This assignment has been negotiated in good faith with the Partner Organisation, and the information contained was correct at the time of acceptance of the request. However, while we take responsibility for matters under our direct control, all assignments and arrangements are subject to change due to the inherent low levels of predictability in developing country environments. This assignment may be amended or withdrawn to reflect changes in circumstances.

GENERAL DETAILS Assignment Title Sustainable Livelihood and Enterprises Officer Partner Organisation Local Government Unit of Garchitorena, Camarines Sur- Office of the Mayor Website of Partner Organisation https://lga.gov.ph/site/lgu/garchitorena Duration of Assignment 12 months Start Date 29 June 2019 October 2019 Assignment Code Australian Organisation

1. PARTNER ORGANISATION OVERVIEW Garchitorena is a 4th class municipality located in the Camarines Sur province and is comprised of 23 barangays (villages), majority of which are coastal. The volunteer will be working under the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Garchitorena. The LGU is responsible for promoting the general welfare of residents as well as all institutions, businesses, and organizations within the municipality. It is also in-charge of formulating and implementing development plans, programs, and projects in consultation with the municipal development council and local communities. The LGU is headed by a municipal mayor, vice-mayor, and municipal councillors; all positions are elected every three years.

The LGU has around 413 employees (both permanent and contractual) and 15 local offices. One of these is the Office of the Mayor.

The Office of the Mayor’s main functions are to exercise general supervision and control over all programs, projects, services, and activities of the municipality and promote welfare of the entire municipality through efficient and effective governance.

2. ASSIGNMENT OVERVIEW In 1993, The Philippine Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) implemented the Self-Employment Assistance – Kaunlaran (SEA-K) Program that aims to create community- based credit facilities which would provide access to credit to poor and marginalized families. In 2011, DSWD replaced SEA-K with the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) that provides poor families and marginalized communities access to livelihood opportunities in order to improve their socio-economic well-being. Currently, a number of local people’s organizations, associations, and entrepreneurs in Garchitorena already have livelihood projects like handicraft and garment making. Even though they have these livelihood projects, there is still no sustainable livelihood plan for the municipality. Since half of the population live in coastal communities and a few live in mountainous ones, farmers and fisherfolks still lack access to sustainable methods of fishing and farming. The local government unit lacks manpower and expertise in training farmers and fisherfolks on sustainable livelihoods and enterprises. A volunteer is now needed to assist the municipality in crafting its Sustainable Livelihood Plan and conducting capacity building activities on topics such as sustainable farming and fishing, and various organic technology for farming and fishing.

3. ASSIGNMENT OBJECTIVES Objective 1: To develop a Sustainable Livelihood Plan for the Garchitorena Municipality

Objective 2: To increase the capacity of local people’s organizations, farmers, and fisherfolks on sustainable livelihoods

Objective 3: To ensure the inclusion of all people directly affected by the volunteer assignment in the course of your work with the partner organisation and host community, including implementing strategies that relate to: a. promoting gender equality and empowering women, b. disability inclusion, and c. child safeguarding.

4. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE VOLUNTEER In consultation with their line manager and relevant stakeholders, Australian volunteers complete a work plan in the first three (3) months of their assignment. The duties below are an indication of the type of work that may be involved in meeting the Assignment Objectives:  Assess the daily operations/ practices of people’s organization’s, farmer’s and fisherfolk’s livelihoods  Recommend best practices to improve livelihood projects  Create an implementation roadmap for the livelihood plan

 Assess the assets, skills, and capacities of the local people’s organizations  Identify the gaps and training needed by the people’s organizations  Conduct capacity building activities for local people’s organizations, farmers, and fisherfolks on sustainable livelihoods and enterprises

5. SELECTION CRITERIA Qualifications, Essential Skills & Experience  Degree or educational background in Agriculture, Fisheries, Agri-Business, Development Studies, Community Development, or any related field

Desirable Skills & Experience  At least 2 years’ experience in developing Sustainable Livelihood Plans  At least 2 years’ experience in sustainable farming and fishing and using organic technology  At least 2 years’ experience working with communities especially farmer and fisher folk groups on sustainable livelihoods  Proficient in basic Microsoft Office tools  Collaborative and can work well with teams

6. ASSIGNMENT INFORMATION Line Manager Mr. Hector Amaro- Project Development Officer, Office of the Mayor

Staff Supervision Mr. Melanio Bueza- Municipal Agriculturist

Working Relationships The volunteer will be working under the Office of the Mayor and will occasionally work with staff from the Municipal Planning and Development Office, Municipal Agriculture Office, and local people’s organizations, farmers, and fisherfolks.

Hours & Days of Employment As in all government offices, the official work hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday. However, there may be times when work is required on weekends or after hours, especially when travelling; the volunteer can arrange time off in lieu.

Australian volunteers are expected to work the equivalent of a 5-day week to a maximum of 40 hours per week.

Leave Entitlements All volunteers are entitled to 20 days leave per 12 months, unless otherwise advised. Same conditions and terms as local colleagues apply, including national holidays.

Professional Indemnity Insurance Professional indemnity insurance is not provided for Australian volunteers. You should consult your partner organisation about the need for professional indemnity insurance for your role prior to your departure, and where required, you are advised to obtain adequate professional indemnity insurance from a reputable insurance provider.

Note: A volunteer must not act as a medical practitioner without adequate professional/medical indemnity insurance. This must be provided by the partner organisation, Australian organisation (if applicable) or self-arranged by the volunteer. This applies to all clinical medical activities undertaken by midwives, nurses, doctors, paramedics, physiotherapists etc.).

Other Conditions If required to work after hours, volunteer is entitled to time off in lieu because there is no overtime pay provisions.

Language Skills and Level Required The local language is Bikolano but most people speak English, which is one of two official languages in the country. Most government documents are in English. The volunteer can use English for both work and social interactions.

Language Support Volunteers are taught basic conversational phrases in Filipino, the national language, during in- country orientation. Volunteers can also avail of funds to support additional language training, e.g., in Bikolano, during their assignment.

7. LIVING AS A VOLUNTEER Approximately 4 hours away from Pili, capital town of Camarines Sur, lies the remote and quiet town of Garchitorena. Unlike other municipalities in the province that boasts adventure and extreme sports, life in Garchitorena is mostly slow paced and relaxing. There are not many tourist destinations but locals flock to few beautiful beaches and islets during the weekends and summertime. Garchitorena is approximately 2 hours away from the famous Caramoan group of islands that is known for its pristine white beaches, clear waters, majestic rock formations, and mysterious caves. It is also popular because it was the shooting place of the hit show “Survivor”. Garchitorena is 4 hours away from Naga City, the commercial hub of the Bicol region, where most Western goods are available. The nearest airport is located in Pili, Camarines Sur. Transportation around Garchitorena is by the local tricycles, jeepneys, “bancas” (motorized boats) and sometimes cars.

The Bicol region is known for its distinct and delicious cuisine, particularly its generous use of coconut milk and chillies (though the heat level is easily adjusted). Food stalls and establishments in Gerchitorena serve a mix of pork, beef, chicken, seafood, and vegetable dishes usually with rice.

Most residents are Christian, mainly Catholic but also with Protestant denominations. The Philippines is quite multi-cultural, and Muslim, Hindu, and Buddhist communities are also represented.

The telecommunication access is good. Mobile networks have moderate signals and there are few establishments with public wifi.

8. ALLOWANCES & SUPPORT These allowance levels are based on the Cost of Living in the host country location. Allowances will be reviewed periodically and may increase or decrease. Volunteers will be given notice of any change to the allowance level.

Living Allowance AUD $850.00 per month

Accommodation Allowance AUD $250.00 per month

Housing 05

Assistance with the identification of suitable, secure and affordable accommodation will be provided by the partner organization.

Other Allowances & Support All Australian Volunteers program volunteers receive the following:  Pre-departure Briefing in Melbourne  In-country Orientation on arrival  Pre-departure vaccination expenses  Visa expenses  Pastoral care, assignment monitoring and security guidance  Return airfare to country of assignment  Psychological and medical advice and support services  Re-entry support services  Settling in allowance (assignments longer than 6 months)  Re-settlement allowance (assignments longer than 6 months)

9. PREPARING YOUR APPLICATION As a part of your online application you will be required to answer the following questions through a video recording (if you are unable to submit through the online video due to accessibility please contact the Recruitment Coordinator). Response to Selection Criteria a) Why do I feel that volunteering internationally is the right thing for me to be doing at this time in my life? b) What are the biggest personal adjustments I’m likely to have to make to be accepted as a useful colleague and engaged community member in this assignment? c) The Australian Volunteers Program is committed to ensuring the inclusion of all people directly affected by the volunteer assignment, such as the partner organisation and host community. What is your personal experience and/or understanding of social inclusion. d) How do I match the Qualifications, Essential Skills & Experience? Include your most relevant experiences, results and achievements responding to each of the selection criteria in Section 5. Personal Circumstances Constraints The Australian Volunteers Program recognises and values the enhanced skills and expertise of returned volunteers as a result of their volunteering experience. The program is also designed to maximise international volunteering opportunities for all Australians. With this in mind, if a returned volunteer and a candidate who has not volunteered previously apply for the same role, preference will be given to the latter, providing they meet the personal and professional selection criteria for the role.

We are NOT able to accept applications from people with the following personal circumstances due to security, cultural, legal or visa restrictions in this location:  Applicants with accompanying children  Same sex partners who wish to accompany applicants as part of the program may face issues in applying for and being issued with a visa

 Applicants with partners to whom they are not legally married and who wish to accompany applicants as part of the program may face issues in applying for and being issues with a visa

 Applicants with a criminal record where a criminal conviction may be relevant to the inherent requirements of the assignment.

10. HOW TO APPLY All applications must be submitted online through the Australian Volunteers Program website. If you haven’t already done so, you will need to register on our website prior to applying. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply for this assignment.