Senior Economist

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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 Members 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 FAO's values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination　　
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality

Organizational Setting

The Agrifood Economics Division (ESA) conducts economic research and policy analysis to support the transformation of more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems for a better production, better nutrition, a better nutrition, a better environment and a better life, leaving no one behind. ESA provides evidence-based support to national, regional and global policy processes and initiatives related to monitoring and analysis of food and agricultural policies, agribusiness and value chain development, rural transformation and poverty, food security and nutrition information and analysis, resilience, bioeconomy, and climate-smart agriculture. The division also leads the production of two FAO flagship publications: The State of Food and Agriculture (SOFA) and the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI).

Reporting Lines

The Senior Economist will work under the guidance and direct supervision of the Director, ESA.

Technical Focus

The Senior Economist will conduct comprehensive economic research and analysis, technical, statistical and/or policy analysis on a broad range of issues pertaining to food security, nutrition and agrifood systems.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Leads or contributes to analytical products while coordinating with key relevant partners and stakeholders.
• Conducts quantitative economic analysis, economic modeling, and applying econometric techniques.
• Analyses global and country specific gaps and requirements as well as agricultural, economic, social, environmental factors to provide critical analytical inputs.
• 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 Member Countries 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.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in economics, agricultural economics, food security or a related field
• Minimum relevant experience in economic and quantitative analysis of food and agricultural issues, or related areas food security and nutrition:
Consultant level A at least 12 years
PSA level A at least 15 years.
• Working knowledge (level C) of English and limited knowledge (level B) of another FAO official language. For PSA, working knowledge of English.

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, nutrition and agrifood systems, including experience in preparation of reports for publication.
• Extent and relevance of experience in economic and policy analysis of issues in agrifood systems, 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