Economist (Food Security)

• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented member nations 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 Markets and Trade Division (EST) focuses on global issues that affect agricultural markets and trade, including policy analysis of trade measures and agreements, and their implications for food security and development. It monitors and analyses trends in international, regional and national agricultural commodity markets, collects and disseminates comprehensive market and policy information concerning the major traded commodities and those important to food security. It also undertakes forward-looking outlook studies. The Division analyses global issues that affect agricultural trade, including policy analysis of trade measures and agreements, and provides technical support and capacity building to member states in all these areas, and is also responsible for FAO's early warning on food shortfalls and crises. EST houses the Global Information and Early Warning System (GIEWS) and the secretariats of the Committee on Commodity Problems (CCP), nine Intergovernmental Commodity Groups (IGGs) and the Agricultural Market Information System (AMIS).

The Economist reports to the Senior Economist/Team Leader of the Global Information and Early Warning System (GIEWS) for food and agriculture.

Support the work of the Markets and Trade Division (EST) and the corporate programme of work under FAO's Strategic Framework. The Economist is responsible for planning and preparing food security analyses, including contributing to GIEWS work on data management and modelling and the development and enhancement of GIEWS methodologies and tools for food security monitoring and analysis.

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.

• Prepares and contributes to GIEWS food security analyses and reports, including special alerts on countries facing food crises.

• Participates in the development and enhancement of GIEWS methodologies and tools for supply/demand analyses and food security and vulnerability assessments, particularly through the use of satellite-based Earth observations.

• Provides technical leadership and solutions for the optimization and modernization of GIEWS data flows and ensures timely and regular updates of GIEWS databases.

• Provides technical support and capacity building in methods/tools for food security monitoring and assessment, including the management of large datasets for early warning and the development, implementation and maintenance of frameworks and processes for systematic data analysis.

• Supports the development and strengthening of food security information networks at country and regional levels, maintaining close collaboration with FAO Representations and field offices, as well as national and international institutions and other stakeholders.

• Ensure timely exchange and dissemination of GIEWS data to interested parties, including early warning entities, research institutions and academia, national and international agencies and organizations.

• Participates in relevant meetings and in media interviews related to GIEWS analyses and reports.

• Develops project proposals for extra-budgetary resource mobilization.

• Performs other duties as required.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________CANDIDATES CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

• Advanced university degree in Economics, agricultural economics or a related field.

• Seven years of relevant experience in economic analysis, including management of large databases and tools in national or international organizations.

• Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of one of the other FAO official languages (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 in management and integration of large datasets in national or international organizations.

• Demonstrated experience in the management of satellite imagery and knowledge of geographic information systems.

• Extent and relevance of experience and knowledge in data modelling and engineering, building dashboards and other analytical tools using front-end development skills and IT tools.

• Extent and relevance of experience in using relational database management software.

• Depth of familiarity with relevant early warning information systems on food and agriculture, Big Data strategies, standard procedures on data collection, validation, analysis and reporting.

• Extent and relevance of experience in liaising and establishing collaborative arrangements with national, regional and international institutions in relation to food security and early warning information systems.

• Ability to develop project proposals and mobilize funding.