Economist (Policy Analysis)
Organizational Setting The Agrifood Economics and Policy Division (ESA) conducts economic research and policy analysis and 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).
Reporting Lines The Economist (Policy Analysis) reports to the head of the PRIME pillar, under the guidance of the Division Director of ESA. He/she works in close collaboration with members of the policy monitoring component of PRIME, with FAO Representation in the relevant countries as well as FAO regional and/or sub‑regional offices.
Technical Focus The Economist will contribute to implementing policy monitoring by estimating and updating price incentives and public expenditure indicators and by analysing and documenting them through analytical products, in particular policy monitoring reviews. Through rigorous monitoring and analysis of indicators, the Economist will also identify policy issues that governments may need to be aware of and may request ESA to further analyse in depth to inform policy reforms.
Key Results Collection, analysis and review of information, data and statistics, and project/meeting services to support programme products, projects, publications and services.
Key Functions
* Collect, review, cross‑check and analyse relevant agricultural, economic, trade, market, social, environmental, nutrition/food composition and/or gender related data, statistics and information to support the delivery of programme projects, products, publications and services.
* Undertake analysis, provide technical input for plans and reports and edit/revise technical documents and/or publications.
* Participate in the development of improved tools and methodologies.
* Update databases and web pages.
* Participate in multidisciplinary project/work teams.
* Participate in the development of training materials and the organization of workshops/seminars.
* Participate in the organization, conduct and follow‑up of meetings, consultations and conferences, the development/production of required materials and the provision of information and assistance to partners.
Specific Functions
* Deliver, revise and finalize Price Incentives (PI) and Public Expenditure (PE) indicators for selected low‑ and middle‑income countries.
* Support dissemination at country level of analytical products related to policy monitoring indicators through the identified channels in selected countries.
* Draft and/or review analytical dashboards and country synthesis notes for selected countries, before publication.
* Support the production of policy monitoring indicator analyses, in particular global analysis and/or cross‑country comparisons studies on agricultural policy support, as required.
* Support consistent application of the methodological guidelines for PI and PE analysis.
* Contribute to the effective implementation of other strategic partnerships with development partners involved in policy monitoring activities (OECD, IFPRI, World Bank, etc.) particularly in the context of AgIncentives Consortium.
* Identify, in collaboration with country stakeholders, the main policy constraints limiting agricultural development in the selected countries.
* Support the articulation of priority policy reform options through dissemination of analytical results, policy dialogue and high‑level consultations with key government partners/institutions.
* Supervise the work of consultants.
* Provide support to the policy support work of the ESA division, in particular in the framework of corporate initiatives.
Minimum Requirements
* Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in economics, agricultural economics, development studies, international relations or a related field.
* Three years of relevant experience in policy and quantitative analysis of food and agricultural issues.
* Working knowledge (proficiency – level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency – level B) of another official FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).
Competencies
* Results Focus
* Teamwork
* Communication
* Building Effective Relationships
* Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
* Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions.
* Extensive experience and knowledge in conducting quantitative economic analysis, including analysis of agricultural policy distortions and public expenditure for the food and agricultural sector.
* Extensive experience in supporting the formulation and implementation of analytical and policy studies such as policy monitoring indicator analyses, in particular global analysis and/or cross‑country comparisons studies on agricultural policy support.
* Familiarity with relevant quantitative methods to assess the impact of trade, input subsidies, market policies and public expenditures on the food and agricultural sector.
* Ability to analyse policy issues and support the work of experts engaged in such analyses.
* Demonstrated experience in drafting technical reports and papers in English is considered a strong asset.
* Expertise in R or Python.
* Working knowledge (proficiency – level C) of French is considered a strong asset.
EEO Statement
* FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture.
* Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non‑and under‑represented Members and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
* Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values.
* FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero‑tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination.
* All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
* All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.
* FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director‑General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.
FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations 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.
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