Economist

The Agrifood Economics and Policy Division (ESA) conducts economic research and policy analysis to support 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. ESA provides evidence-based support to national, regional, and global policy processes and initiatives related to monitoring and analysing food and agricultural policies, agribusiness and value chain development, rural transformation and poverty, food security and nutrition information and analysis, resilience, bioeconomy, and climate-smart agriculture. The division also leads the production of two FAO flagship publications: The State of Food and Agriculture (SOFA) and The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) and provides core technical support for FAO's Roadmap on achieving SDG2 without breaching the 1.5 ºC threshold.

Reporting Lines

The selected candidate will work under the direct supervision of the ESA Director, collaborating, as required, with other FAO divisions, Country Offices, and external partners.

Technical Focus

The Economist will support the ESA Director in performing quantitative analysis, data collection, implementation of research and policy activities, economic modelling, and other duties, as required. This assignment will be focused on quantitative analysis supporting the transformation of agrifood systems towards sustainable pathways.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Qualitative research to inform and complement the quantitative analysis.
•    Perform quantitative analysis data handling and visualisation, statistical analysis, econometric estimation, economic modelling, and forecasting.
•    Contribute to the development and review of technical products, in particular, economic and environmental analysis and produce related evidence-based policy guidance.
•    Support the collection, processing, management, and analysis of social, economic, and environmental information from diverse data sources.
•    Draft reports and other deliverables to clearly communicate the key messages from the analysis.
•    Validate and interpret the results from economic analysis, applying appropriate econometric and modelling methods, in line with economic theory, recent literature and relevant data.
•    Support the preparation of technical documents and draft technical notes.
•    Provide technical and analytical support to the implementation of a number of projects and activities under the Office of the Director.
•    Liaise and coordinate with partners, members, and other FAO Units as relevant.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    For Consultants:
Advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in economics, agricultural economics, international trade, environmental sciences, public policy, data sciences, statistics or related fields. Consultants with a bachelor's degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience.
For PSAs:
University degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in economics, agricultural economics, international trade, environmental sciences, public policy, data sciences, statistics or related fields.
•    Minimum of 1 year for category C, 5 years for category B, 10 years for category A of relevant experience in economics, agricultural economics, international trade, public policy, statistics and other.
•    Working knowledge (level C) of English.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•    Experience in management of large datasets and statistics, as well as experience in applied economic modelling and system-wide thinking.
•    Academic/professional background in economics, with a strong foundation in quantitative analysis.
•    Experience in presenting analytical results in concise and effective manner also to non-technical audience.
•    Experience in quantitative data analysis using statistical models.
Experience in general equilibrium or partial equilibrium analysis will be an asset.
•    Modelling of multidimensional sustainability of agrifood systems.
•    Econometric or economic modelling analysis.
•    Implementation of research and policy support activities.
•    Data collection and processing.
•    Research and/or policy support experience in socioeconomic research, applied statistics, data science, data analysis, big data, and novel data sources.
•    Preparation of technical documentation.
•    Experience with numerical computing languages (e.g. Python, R, GAMS).
•    Knowledge of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) would be an asset.
 

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

HOW TO APPLY

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO [link removed] and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application

• 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/ [link removed]. These qualifications should be in alignment with the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) mappings [link removed]. 

• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
•  We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance: https://fao.service-now.com/csp [link removed]

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