Economist (Climate Change And Agriculture)

• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented member countries and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply for this position
• FAO does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
• The incumbent may be re-assigned to different activities and/or duty stations depending on the evolving needs of the Organization.

The Agrifood 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), agribusiness and food value chains, rural poverty, and food security information and analysis in support of national policies.

FAO's second strategic objective is to make agriculture, forestry and fisheries more productive and sustainable. The Economic and Policy Analysis of Climate Change (EPIC) team within ESA primarily contributes to this objective. This team works with governments, research centres, universities and other institutional partners to support the transition to sustainable food and agriculture. Its programme of work is aimed at identifying and harmonizing climate change adapted agricultural policies, analyzing impacts, effects, costs and benefits as well as incentives and barriers to the adoption of sustainable and climate-resilient practices. The ultimate objective of the programme is to support developing and in-transition countries to formulate policies and related investment proposals to increase countries' resilience to climate change and to promote sustainable agriculture.

The post is located in the EPIC team, ESA, FAO HQ

The Economist reports to the Senior Economist, EPIC Team Leader, ESA.

Support, in close collaboration with other relevant technical units, a programme of work on the economic and policy analysis of sustainable agriculture and food systems, with a focus on climate change and food security and nutrition. The work will utilize quantitative tools to generate evidence that can guide governments in the process of creating an enabling environment for sustainable, nutrition-sensitive and climate friendly agriculture and food systems. This is at the core of FAO Strategic Objective 2 (making agriculture, forestry and fisheries more productive and sustainable) but also contributes to FAO's Strategic Objective 1 (eliminating hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition) and Strategic Objective 3 (reducing rural poverty).

Comprehensive technical, statistical, analytical and/or policy analysis services and the development of specialized tools, methodologies, systems and/or databases to support the planning, implementation/delivery and monitoring of the programme of work and related products, projects, publications, and services.

• Plans and leads components of multi-disciplinary teams and short term work groups, leads and/or participates on Division/Departmental teams, participates on Organization-wide committees, project teams, and working groups and provides specialized expertise on international technical networks and or technical policy and standard setting bodies.

• Develops technical, statistical, analytical, monitoring and reporting frameworks, and related tools, methodologies, systems and databases etc. to support the planning, implementation/delivery and monitoring of the programmes of work, products, projects, and services.

• Designs and conducts research, data collection, validation, analysis and/or reporting activities to support the development of technical standards, international instruments, innovative tools and methodologies, flagship publications/technical reports and/or policy proposals as well as the provision of technical specialist and/or policy advice and expertise.

• Responds to requests and provides technical/policy advice, assistance and solutions to Regional, Sub-Regional, and Country Offices and provides technical backstopping to field projects.

• Promotes international cooperation and collaboration, advocates best practices and increased policy dialogue and provides technical expertise at international meetings and conferences.

• Collaborates in capacity development activities involving knowledge sharing, the organization of training workshops, seminars, and meetings as well as the development of related materials and on-line tools and information kits.

• Participates in resource mobilization activities in accordance with Corporate strategy and Departmental plans.

• Oversees economic and quantitative analysis of issues related to agricultural development, climate change and climate variability, food security and nutrition and natural resource management;

• Contributes to the programme of work in quantitative policy analysis by developing analytical and policy tools and applying them to analyse agricultural and rural development policies and beyond;

• Contributes to the programme of work in quantitative policy analysis at the farm and country levels;

• Leads and contributes to knowledge products that enhance the evidence based knowledge of issues related to climate change and climate resilient agricultural practices, and the implications of climate change on rural livelihoods and poverty, such as analytical reports, peer-reviewed publications, policy briefs, working papers, country reports and peer-reviewed papers;

• Liaises with policy makers and conducts capacity building activities and policy advice in developing countries;

• Supervises and coaches junior researchers and consultants working in the team;

• Liaises with other relevant technical units in FAO working on climate change, agriculture and food system development, social protection, trade and markets, resilience and food security;

• Builds and maintains partnerships with other international institutions, financial and development agencies working on climate change, agriculture and poverty to ensure wider use and dissemination of FAO's work;

• Performs other duties as required.

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• Advanced university degree in economics, environmental economics, agricultural economics or a related field;

• Seven years of relevant experience in in economic and quantitative analysis of food and agricultural issues, natural resources use, climate change and policy analysis.

• Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish)

• Results Focus

• Teamwork

• Communication

• Building Effective Relationships

• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is desirable

• Extent and relevance of experience and knowledge in conducting quantitative economic analysis, including economic modelling and/or econometric techniques in the field of climate change, agriculture, food systems and poverty;

• Extent and relevance of experience in policy analysis in climate change, food security, agriculture and rural development, natural resource management;

• Extent and relevance of written publication record, including reports, working papers, journal articles and policy briefs in related to agricultural development, climate change and agriculture, food systems, food security and nutrition, and poverty;

• Extent and relevance of academic background (a PhD in a relevant area is considered a strong asset)

• Proven ability to mobilize resources.