Senior Economist (Food Security and Nutrition)

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• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background, and culture
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented member nations, and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct and to uphold our values. FAO has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and FAO, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination
• All selected candidates, therefore, will 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

Organizational Setting

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.

Among ESA’s core tasks is the provision of support to FAO member countries on policy matters, particularly through analyses that generate evidence and evaluation of impact of policies and programmes to inform decision-making. ESA also carries out policy intelligence to analyse the implications of emerging events on the different economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development. In addition, ESA is engaged in supporting governments on the prioritization of policies and investments to strengthen poverty reduction, food security and nutrition, develop inclusive and efficient food systems, and accelerate agricultural transformation.

FAO International Consultants and Call purpose

The Organization frequently hires experts to work on short-term activities and projects as consultants or under personal service agreements (PSA) at various levels of experience (see minimum requirements below). The assignments may involve full-time or part-time functions, with duration ranging from one to eleven months. The possibility of extension is subject to satisfactory performance and availability of resources. Assignments at the Organization may require travelling, missions and/or appointments to field locations. Individuals who meet or exceed the requirements of the Call, determined through an interview process, will be included in the ESA divisional roster that will be used to resource future vacancies within the technical requirements covered by the Call.

The role will be located within The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World Team within the Agrifood Economics Division, ESA.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall guidance of the Director, ESA, and the direct supervision of the Deputy Director of ESA, and guidance of the Editor of The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) report and will be asked to support the coordination and management of the development of report and related background papers, and carry out economic analysis related to food security and nutrition issues.

Technical Focus

The economist will support the coordination and management of the development of The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report, which entails the coordination of a multi-agency writing team and management of workplans, research and report production schedules ensuring adherence to timelines and the delivery of a high quality report. The economist will support the coordination of the writing team and will conduct economic analysis on a broad range of issues pertaining to food security and nutrition. The analysis carried out by the economist will provide evidence-based support informing the preparation of the annual FAO flagship publication The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World. The economist will work under the guidance of the Editor of the SOFI report, and work in close collaboration and coordination with other FAO technical units and the four co-publishing partners of the report, namely IFAD, UNICEF, WFP and WHO. The economist will also support the five regional and ad hoc country Overviews of Food Security and Nutrition reports, ensuring they are aligned with the global SOFI report and meet quality standards

Tasks and responsibilities

• Support the coordination, planning and management of the preparation of The State of the Food Security and Nutrition in the World report, including the coordination of a multi-agency research and writing team responsible for the research, analysis, writing and production of the report.
• Support the management of a team of technical consultants providing oversight and technical inputs to the development of the evidence base that supports the preparation of the SOFI report.
• Prepares annotated outlines, summaries and draft chapters of the SOFI report relating to the themed analysis and on other issues pertaining to food security and nutrition.
• Convenes regular meetings with the multi-agency writing team, closely monitoring work plans and timelines, and adjusting as needed to ensure delivery by deadlines.
• Provides technical oversight during report production phase, working closely with FAO production team to ensure technical quality control during report layout and language translation.
• Provides technical clearance and quality assurance for communication products relating to SOFI and associated food security and nutrition materials.
• Liaise with other FAO units and with the four co-publishing partners as necessary in the preparation of the SOFI.
• Coordinates and conducts technical reviews of the five regional and ad hoc country Overviews of Food Security and Nutrition reports, ensuring they are aligned with the global SOFI report and meet the quality standards.
• Supervise consultants and interns as required.
• Perform other relevant tasks as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in economics, agricultural economics, food security or a related field
• Seven years of relevant experience in economic and quantitative analysis of food and agricultural issues, natural resources use, food demand or related areas food security and nutrition
• Working knowledge of English, French or Spanish and limited knowledge of one of the other two or Arabic, Chinese, Russian

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is desirable
• Extent and relevance of experience and knowledge of applied research in the field of food security and nutrition, including experience in preparation of reports for publication.
• Extent and relevance of experience in economic and policy analysis of issues in food and agriculture, food security and nutrition at a national, regional and/or global scale.
• Extent and relevance of experience in conducting quantitative economic analysis, economic modeling, and applying econometric techniques in one or more of the relevant subject areas above.
• Quality of both oral and written communication in English, including the ability to write clearly and concisely for publications.
• Demonstrated ability to manage, analyze, and present quantitative information clearly and effectively.
• Capacity to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams with minimal supervision and to plan workflows so as to meet tight deadlines.

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