Senior Economist (Commodities)

1L091L09

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• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and persons 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 FAO's values
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• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
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• FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.

The Markets and Trade Division (EST) monitors and analyses developments and trends in international, regional and national agricultural commodity markets and the factors affecting them, collecting and disseminating up-to-date and comprehensive market and policy information for the major traded commodities and those important to food security. It also undertakes forward-looking outlook studies. The Division analyses issues that affect global food and agricultural markets and trade, including analysis of trade policies and agreements, and provides technical support and capacity development to FAO Members in all these areas. Through its Global Information and Early Warning System on Food and Agriculture (GIEWS), the Division is responsible for FAO's early warnings on food shortfalls and food security problems. The Division houses the secretariats of the Committee on Commodity Problems (CCP) and its subsidiary Intergovernmental Groups (IGGs), the G20 Agricultural Market Information System (AMIS) and the World Banana Forum (WBF).
The position is located in the Markets and Trade Division (EST) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines
The Senior Economist (Commodities) reports to the Director of Markets and Trade Division (EST).

Technical Focus
The Senior Economist (Commodities) will lead the work of the Markets and Trade Division on agricultural commodity markets. The work focuses on leading FAO's market intelligence services, including commodity market monitoring, assessment, analysis and outlook and the preparation of information products and technical studies and reports to improve market transparency and inform policy decisions. The incumbent will also be responsible for the operation of the G20 Agricultural Market Information System (AMIS), housed in EST.

Key Results
Leadership and conceptual thinking for the development and implementation of comprehensive technical, statistical and/or analytical frameworks to support the programme of work and related products, projects and services in accordance with the FAO Strategic Framework.

Key Functions
• Plans, manages or leads highly specialized or multidisciplinary teams; leads, coordinates and/or participates in Organization-wide, cross-divisional committees, project teams and working groups, and/or provides technical leadership/secretariat services on technical networks and/or international technical policy and standard setting bodies.
• Analyses global and country specific requirements as well as agricultural, economic, social and environmental factors to provide critical inputs into the FAO Strategic Framework, Programme of Work as well as Detailed Work Plans and the supporting budgets and/or resourcing strategies.
• Implements and monitors work programmes involving the conception and development of comprehensive statistical and/or analytical frameworks including early warning, medium and long term plans and strategies, leading edge tools, methods, systems and databases, critical indicators and/or policy models, etc.
• Oversees and reviews data collection, validation, analysis and reporting activities to support the development of technical standards, international instruments, innovation, FAO flagship publications/yearbooks and/or on-going programme development as well as technical and/or policy advisory services.
• Provides technical and policy advice to Members and technical support to Decentralized Offices in the development and implementation of their programmes of work.
• Plans, organizes and participates in capacity development activities involving the provision of advice, technical assistance projects, training workshops, seminars and meetings, as well as oversees the development of related materials, on-line tools and information kits.
• Represents the Organization at international/inter-governmental meetings and conferences, advocates strategic partnerships, best practices and increased policy dialogue and develops and negotiates effective working relationships/consensus and agreements with international and national partners.
• Leads and/or participates in resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Corporate Strategy.

Specific Functions
• Leads, plans and coordinates the work of the Division on agricultural commodity markets, including market monitoring, assessment and outlook and the production of analytical studies and reports in support of the FAO Strategic Framework.
• Manages the human and financial resources of the Division's Commodities team, including the supervision of staff and consultants and the development and implementation of the Team's work programme.
• Manages and leads the production process and publication of the Food Outlook report and the monthly FAO Food Price Index, and identifies ways and methods for improvement.
• Acts as Secretary of the G20 Agricultural Market Information System (AMIS) and fulfils its mandate, covering the development and supervision of the work programme, liaising with the AMIS Members' focal points and participating international organizations, planning and organizing meetings, and raising financial resources for the initiative.
• Leads and prepares quantitative and analytical studies and reports on developments in global food and agricultural markets and the impacts of related drivers, such as agricultural and trade policies, macroeconomic conditions, climate trends and extreme weather events, transport infrastructure chokepoints and other shocks, on global food security.
• Leads the preparation of technical notes, policy briefs, speeches and presentations for senior management on specific topics related to agricultural commodity markets and policies.
• Ensures high quality and technical robustness of the datasets, outputs and products produced by the Commodities team.
• Ensures timely and quality contributions and inputs to relevant FAO's publications and meetings on related matters.
• Identifies and develops new areas of work based on Members' needs, policy changes and global developments in food, energy and financial markets.
• Develops new initiatives and projects and participates in raising voluntary financial contributions.
• Promotes collaboration with other teams in the Division through the joint preparation of, and contribution to, thematic studies and projects related to agricultural commodity markets and trade.
• Advises on the development of new methods and tools for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the work of the Team and the quality of outputs.
• Raises the visibility of the work of the Division, including through participation in meetings, conferences and media interviews.
• Develops and implements strategic partnerships and promotes collaborative work, including joint reports and publications, both internally and externally with relevant organizations and institutions.
• Represents the Organization in meetings, conferences and events relevant to the mandate and activities of the Division.
• Performs other tasks and duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree in economics, agricultural economics or a related field.
• Ten years of relevant experience in commodity market assessment and analysis, price and policy analysis, commodity market outlook and projections, and food security issues, including through a relevant publication record.
• Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate – level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

Competencies
• Results Focus
• Leading, Engaging and Empowering Others
• Communication
• Partnering and Advocating
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
• Strategic Thinking

Technical/Functional Skills
• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions.
• Proven experience and expertise in the assessment and analysis of agricultural commodity markets, in price and policy analysis, and in preparing technical and policy studies and reports.
• Established ability to undertake quantitative economic analysis of production, consumption, stocks, trade and prices of agricultural commodities and to prepare analytical and policy studies and reports.
• Extent of knowledge of methods and tools for the analysis of commodity markets and related policies.
• Relevant experience in planning and organizing meetings, seminars and intergovernmental events.
• Experience in developing and maintaining partnerships, including with governments and international institutions.
• Ability to develop project proposals and mobilize financial resources.
• Demonstrated excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Proven ability to lead and work with a diverse team of people of different national and cultural backgrounds in an international setting.
• PhD in a relevant field is considered an asset.