Reporting Lines
The Agricultural Policy Analyst reports to the Economist or Policy Officer under overall supervision of the Deputy-Director of ESA and Officer-in-Charge of the MAFAP programme. He/she will work in close collaboration with the FAO Representation in the relevant country of assignment as well as the relevant FAO regional and/or sub-regional offices.
Technical Focus
The Consultant/PSA will support economic and policy analysis of a range of technical issues related to food and agriculture in developing countries. He/she will be involved in one or more of the following areas of work:
• Analysis of agricultural prices and/or price distortions and incentives;
• Public expenditure analysis and/or public financial management systems;
• Agricultural development strategies/investment plans;
• Agricultural value chains and commodity markets;
• Agrifood trade policy;
• Policy analysis using various quantitative and qualitative methods derived from economics, political economy, and political science.
Tasks and responsibilities
The assigned tasks and responsibilities related to this area of work may include a mix of the following:
• Produce policy monitoring indicators and analyses related to price incentives along agricultural value chains;
• Compile and classify large datasets to produce food and agricultural public expenditure indicators and analysis;
• Contribute to the development of technical products and analytical studies to support evidence-based policy reform processes with a focus on trade and market price policies and/or investment priorities in the framework of agrifood systems transformation strategies;
• Draft actionable and high-quality policy recommendations, technical reports, and policy briefs;
• Participate in policy-relevant meetings, roundtables or other events related to food and agricultural policy analyses and reform in developing countries;
• Carry out capacity development activities benefitting government counterparts and other selected national partners;
• Lead day-to-day implementation of activities in close partnership with national counterparts;
• Perform duty travel as required for the completion of the above-mentioned tasks;
• Any other tasks as required.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• For Consultant: Advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in economics, agricultural economics, environmental economics, political science, public policy, public financial management, international development, or closely related field. Candidates with a bachelor’s degree and two additional years of relevant professional experience may also be considered.
• For PSA: University degree or specific technical specialization in economics, agricultural economics, environmental economics, political science, public policy, public financial management, international development, or closely related field.
• 1 (one) year of relevant experience in the monitoring and analysis of agricultural policies and/or the production of evidence-based policy recommendations, including analyses supporting the elaboration of strategies, investment plans, and/or regulations applicable to the agricultural sector and/or specific agrifood value chains;
• Working knowledge (level C) of English.
FAO Core 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.
• Extent and relevance of experience in conducting quantitative and/or qualitative economic analysis of agricultural and food policies, including analysis of agricultural policy distortions and public expenditure for the food and agricultural sector.
• Knowledge of agricultural policy monitoring indicators.
• Familiarity with providing policy advice to governments in developing countries.
• Experience in presenting analytical results in concise and effective manner also to non-technical audience.
• Knowledge of current political economic conditions in developing countries, and ability to analyse the policy context at country level building on political economy tools.
• Familiarity with climate change and biodiversity impacts of agricultural policies.
• Experience in high-level policy dialogues and workshops and interacting with government officials on key policy issues affecting agriculture and food security would be considered as an asset.
• Experience in database management would be considered as an asset.
• Expertise in computer programming languages (Python or R), and familiarity with other software e.g. STATA or GAM, would be considered as an asset.
Selection criteria
• Limited knowledge in another FAO official language (Arabic; Chinese; French; Russian; or Spanish) would be considered 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
1. FAO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing)
2. Please note that FAO will only consider academic credentials or degrees obtained from an educational institution recognized in the IAU/UNESCO list
3. 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
4. For more information, visit the FAO employment website
5. Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.