Commodity Market Analyst

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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 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 position is located in the AMIS Secretariat. The call for expression of interest aims at identifying highly qualified and motivated candidates for our divisional roster to support a small FAO-based team and the broader AMIS Secretariat consisting of ten international organizations and entities (for more information on AMIS, please visit www.amis-outlook.org).

Reporting Lines

The incumbent reports directly to the AMIS Project Manager and works under the overall guidance of the EST Director.

Technical Focus

AMIS monitors the market situation and short-term outlook of global food markets, particularly focusing on wheat, maize, rice and soybeans. The initiative was created by the G20 in 2011 with two principal objectives: (i) enhance transparency in global food markets by providing regular, accurate and timely information; and (ii) promote policy coordination among the main producing and consuming countries of the targeted crops, especially in times of market uncertainty. Against this background, interested candidates should possess a good knowledge and understanding of the supply and demand situation of staple food commodities and be aware of relevant macroeconomic and policy developments that might impact global food markets, especially in the areas of exchange rates, energy prices, input markets and trade policies.

Tasks and responsibilities

The incumbent will contribute to established outputs of AMIS, especially those linked to the monthly market bulletin of AMIS called “AMIS Market Monitor”, for example by providing research and editorial support as well as eventually leading specific sections of the report. In addition, the selected candidate will assist in developing new activities and outputs with a view to enhancing AMIS visibility and dialogue with AMIS stakeholders through social media as well as the AMIS website. Specific tasks and responsibilities include the following:
• Collect information on global food markets, maintain PC-based country balance sheets and undertake in-depth supply/demand analyses at country/regional/global levels;
• Monitor and analyse the development of grain and oilseed markets as well as any relevant policy developments, especially those affecting global food prices and food price volatility;
• Compile and monitor specific market indicators for the four AMIS commodities;
• Draft advanced written contributions on the supply/demand situation, price dynamics and/or policy developments concerning AMIS crops for inclusion in AMIS reports, the AMIS website and AMIS social media channels;
• Prepare documents and presentations for AMIS meetings, seminars, webinars and/or external events, and represent the AMIS Secretariat at these events;
• Maintain close contacts and conduct in-depth discussions with AMIS national focal points and other relevant stakeholders on data collection and supply/demand balances issues;
• Coordinate the exchange of technical information with all AMIS Secretariat member organizations;
• Initiate/lead/contribute to relevant research work to foster the understanding of global food market dynamics; and,
• Assist with the overall implementation of the AMIS project.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in Economics, Agricultural Economics, Agronomy, or related field.
• 5 years of relevant experience in commodity market monitoring and analysis, ideally in an international context.
• Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of a second FAO language, including Arabic, Chinese, French, Spanish and Russian (for Consultants). Working knowledge of English will be sufficient for PSA.SBS.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Strong analytical skills, especially in the monitoring and assessment of agricultural market and policy developments and their impact on the global supply/demand situation of staple food commodities.
• Excellent communication skills, especially in presenting complex issues and technical materials to a broad audience, both through regular channels (e.g. reports, bulletins etc.) and new media (e.g. tweets, newsletters, podcasts).

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