Economist (Food security and early warning)

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• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply;
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• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) 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.

The Markets and Trade Division (EST) monitors and analyses developments and trends in international, regional and national agricultural commodity markets and the factors affecting them, collecting and disseminating up-to-date and comprehensive market and policy information for the major traded commodities and those important to food security. It also undertakes forward-looking outlook studies. The Division analyses issues that affect global food and agricultural markets and trade, including analysis of trade policies and agreements, and provides technical support and capacity development to FAO Members in all these areas. Through its Global Information and Early Warning System on Food and Agriculture (GIEWS), the Division is responsible for FAO's early warnings on food shortfalls and food security problems. EST is also responsible for the production of FAO flagship publication The State of Agricultural Commodity Markets (SOCO) and the OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook. The Division houses the secretariats of the Committee on Commodity Problems (CCP) and its subsidiary Intergovernmental Groups (IGGs), the G20 Agricultural Market Information System (AMIS) and the World Banana Forum (WBF).

The Global Information and Early Warning System on Food and Agriculture (GIEWS) continuously monitors the food supply and demand and other key indicators for assessing the overall food security situation in all countries of the world. It issues regular analytical and objective reports on the prevailing food production and food security conditions and provides early warnings of impending food crises at country and regional levels. GIEWS supports countries in building and strengthening national capacities in managing food security related information, including through the application of tools for earth observation and price monitoring.

Reporting Lines

The incumbent reports to the Senior Economist and Team Leader of the Global Information and Early Warning System on Food and Agriculture (GIEWS).

Technical Focus

Under the overall guidance of the Senior Economist and Team Leader of the GIEWS and in close collaboration with GIEWS officers, the incumbent will monitor and prepare analytical appraisals of the current and prospective food security situation in the assigned countries. The Economist will work on improving the collection and regular flow of basic data and information at country level and liaise with relevant national and international institutions and stakeholders dealing with food security information.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Analyse the food supply/demand situation in the countries of assignment, monitor available information and collect data on crop prospects, food production and consumption, trade, stocks, prices and policies.
• Maintain the Cereal Country Balance Sheets (CCBS) for assigned countries and regularly update other food security indicators.
• Regularly update the GIEWS Country Briefs for the assigned countries.
• Contribute to GIEWS main periodical publications (Crop Prospects and Food Situation report, Food Price Monitoring and Analysis (FPMA) monthly bulletin), providing analyses for the region of the countries of assignment.
• Prepare special GIEWS alerts/updates on specific imminent food crises in countries that may require international assistance.
• For the countries of assignment, provide inputs to the GIEWS periodical reports carried out in collaboration with other organizations, such as the Food Security Information Network (FSIN) Global Report on Food Crises, the FAO-WFP Hunger Hotspot report and the Group on Earth Observations Global Agricultural Monitoring (GEOGLAM) Crop Monitor for Early Warning.
• Participate in Crop and Food Security Assessment Missions (CFSAMs) and other types of missions to countries facing impending food crises to assess agricultural production and food supply/security situation.
• Perform other related duties, as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in economics, agricultural economics or a related field.
• At least three years of relevant experience in agriculture and food security analysis in developing countries.
• Working knowledge (level C) of English and limited knowledge (level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

FAO Core Competencies

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

Selection Criteria

• Extent and relevance of experience in food security monitoring and early warning systems in developing countries.
• Extent and relevance of experience in economic analysis related to food security issues in developing countries.
• Depth of familiarity with relevant information systems on food and agriculture and methods of monitoring food security.
• Ability to use/interpret satellite-based data for monitoring crop production is desirable.
• Work experience in an international environment, especially at field level in developing countries, is desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to write clearly and concisely and to work under strict deadlines.

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

HOW TO APPLY

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO 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
• 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.

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