Reporting Lines
The Economist (Commodities) reports to the responsible Senior Economist (Commodity Markets)/Team Leader under the overall guidance of the Director, EST.
Technical Focus
The Economist (Commodities) will contribute to the Division's work on food commodities, including data collection and validation, market monitoring and assessment, short- and medium-term market outlook, and price and policy analysis.
Key Results
Research and analysis of information, data and statistics, and the maintenance and updating of related tools, methodologies, and/or databases to support the delivery of programme products, projects, publications, and services.
Key Functions
1. Researches and analyses (agricultural, economic, trade, market, social, environmental, nutrition/food composition and/or gender related) data, statistics and information to provide technical, statistical and/or policy related information and analysis to support the delivery of economic and social development programmes work, products, projects, publications and services.
2. Produces a variety of technical reports and input for technical documents, divisional publications and/or web pages.
3. Provides technical, statistical and/or analytical services on various studies, projects and/or assessments and provides technical backstopping to field projects.
4. Participates in the development of improved/updated technical, statistical and/or analytical tools, methodologies, systems, databases and/or key social/ economic/ environmental/ nutritional and/or early warning indicators, etc.
5. Participates in multi-disciplinary teams, collaborates with other Divisions/Offices/Centres on work groups and committees and promotes best practices.
6. Collaborates in capacity development activities involving the planning and organizing of training workshops, seminars, and major meetings and the preparation of related information, materials, on-line tools and information kits.
7. Promotes knowledge sharing and best practices at international meetings and conferences and influences partners in stakeholder consultations.
8. Participates in resource mobilization activities.
Specific Functions
9. Leads the collection and validation of national production, trade, consumption, stocks and price statistics for food commodities in selected countries/regions and manages the system of country balance sheets used to generate supply, demand and trade estimates and forecasts.
10. Monitors and analyses the global markets for food commodities; and prepares market assessments for the Food Outlook report, price commentaries for the monthly FAO Food Price Index, and market intelligence papers, notes and briefs.
11. Conducts analytical studies on commodity markets and related policies and on cross-commodity issues, including linkages with animal protein markets.
12. Monitors policies and industry measures affecting the markets and related sectors; contributes to the divisional commodity policies database; and prepares notes and briefs on key policy developments and emerging issues.
13. Participates in the generation of medium-term projections for commodities and contributes to the preparation of the annual OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development)-FAO Agricultural Outlook report.
14. Prepares papers, technical notes and policy briefs on various economic aspects related to the commodities under coverage.
15. Provides strategic advice and insights on the commodities under coverage.
16. Develops and contributes to the development of project proposals for raising external voluntary contributions.
17. Performs other tasks and duties as required.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
18. Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) ineconomics, agricultural economics or a related field.
19. Five years of relevant experience ineconomics, agricultural economics, qualitative and quantitative economic analysis of agricultural markets, trade and related policies.
20. Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).
Competencies
21. Results Focus
22. Teamwork
23. Communication
24. Building Effective Relationships
25. Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
26. Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is desirable.
27. Extent and relevance of experience in commodity market monitoring and assessment, outlook studies and projections.
28. Extent of knowledge of global food commodity markets.
29. Experience in analysing meat or dairy markets an asset.
30. Proven ability to conduct analysis of production, consumption, stocks, trade and prices of agricultural commodities and prepare analytical reports and studies.
31. Extent of knowledge of relevant analytical tools and software packages, including in handling large datasets and conducting price and policy analysis.
32. Experience in providing policy support to countries.
33. Experience in organizing international meetings, seminars and workshops.
34. Relevance of experience in working in multidisciplinary teams.
35. Excellent writing and verbal communication skills.
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FAO staff are expected to adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.
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GENERAL INFORMATION
36. Extension of fixed term appointments is based on certification of performance and availability of funds
37. FAO reserves the right not to make an appointment.
38. Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.
CONDITIONS OF SERVICE
A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, click on the following link:
Other benefits, subject to eligibility, include:
• Dependency allowances
• Rental subsidy
• Education grant for children
• Home leave travel
• 30 working days of annual leave per year
• Pension fund entitlements under the UN Joint Staff Pension Fund
• International health insurance; optional life insurance
• Disability protectionFAO encourages a positive workplace culture to increase inclusivity and diversity within its workforce. FAO applies measures in which all staff members contribute equally and in full to the work and development of the Organization. This includes:
• elements of family-friendly policies
• flexible working arrangements
• standards of conduct.
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