Early Warning Analyst

The Agricultural Development Economics Division (ESA) conducts economic research and policy analysis related to all five of the Organization's strategic objectives (food security and nutrition, sustainable agriculture, poverty reduction, inclusive food systems and resilient livelihoods). ESA provides evidence-based analytical support to national, regional and global policy processes and initiatives related to food security and nutrition and sustainable agriculture; and leads the production of two FAO flagship publications\: The State of Food and Agriculture and The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World. ESA also leads large programmes at country level on agricultural and food policy monitoring, climate smart agriculture (CSA), poverty, and food security information and analysis in support of national policies.

The Early Warning Analyst would support FAO’s Early Warning Early Action (EWEA) team. The team translates warnings into anticipatory – or early – actions to reduce the impact of disasters on vulnerable and food insecure communities. Acting early, before a disaster has actually happened, or reached its peak is critical\: it can save lives and protect livelihoods from the immediate shocks and increasing the resilience of local communities over time. FAO EWEA is key element of FAO’s Strategic Programme 5\: ‘Increase the resilience of livelihoods to threats and crises’. FAO EWEA work includes global level (risk analysis, advocacy and partnerships) as well as country activities (setting up country level EWEA systems and early action implementation). FAO EWEA is part of a growing number of anticipatory approaches to crises being implemented by organisations worldwide.

FAO International Consultants and Call purpose

The Organization frequently engages experts to work on short-term activities and projects as international consultants or under personal service agreements (PSA) at various levels of experience (see minimum requirements below). International consultants or PSAs are engaged by the Organization to provide expertise, skills or knowledge for the performance of a specific task or piece of work, which is short-term by nature. The assignment can be from 1 month up to 11 months. The possibility of extension is subject to satisfactory performance and depending on the availability of resources and needs of the Organization.

Individuals meeting or exceeding the requirements of the Call will be included in the ESA Divisional Roster. Experts who are registered in the Roster

are available for consideration whenever relevant opportunities arise matching the required profiles. Contracts will either be based at FAO Headquarters with field missions where required, or FAO regional and/or sub-regional office or based in an FAO Country Office.

Reporting Lines

For assignments based at the FAO Headquarters the Early Warning Analyst will work under the direct supervision of Technical Officer (EWEA), and work in close collaboration with other FAO Divisions, Strategic Programmes and external partners as required.

When assignments are based in FAO Regional or Sub-Regional Offices or Country Offices, the Analyst will be required to work under the direct supervision of the respective FAO Regional Representative, Sub regional Coordinator or Representation in the relevant country of assignment, and in close consultation with the Technical Officer (EWEA).

To monitor and analyse a range of information sources on risks to food security and agriculture-based livelihoods, translating the analysis into actionable early warnings.

The assigned tasks and responsibilities related to this area of work can include the following\:

• Analyse on a regular basis a range of information sources and technical information, both internal and external, for a consistent risk analysis of major threats to food security and agriculture;
• Translate risk analysis into high quality and effective early warnings, with emphasis on potential impact modelling (food security impacts);
• Examine the current range of EW products, processes and sources, and formulate recommendations for improvements and additional outputs based on a needs analysis;
• Ensure EW outputs are actionable, i.e. designed in a way to be effective in supporting efforts to mitigate food insecurity and prevent food crises;
• Support the development of improved risk data collection and EW dissemination modalities including digital solutions;
• Support country and regional level work by assessing and analysing existing early warning systems, policies and practices, and how the information can be made useful for interventions in food security and agriculture;
• Collaborate with national, regional, and international partners in early warning analysis and identify new partnerships;
• Support EWEA capacity building efforts to FAO and partners including through trainings on risk analysis;
• Establish close linkages with in-house early warning sources such as IPC, GIEWS and FCC-EMPRES;
• Perform any other related duties assigned by the EWEA Team Leader