Economist (Food Security Early Warning)

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Established in 1945, FAO has over 194 member countries and works in more than 130 countries worldwide. The organization aims to achieve security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. FAO's commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to its strategic objectives and operations, focusing on improving agricultural productivity, ensuring sustainable management of natural resources, and enhancing the resilience of livelihoods to threats and crises.

Job Overview:
The Economist (Food Security Early Warning) will be part of the Global Information and Early Warning System on Food and Agriculture (GIEWS) Team within the Markets and Trade Division (EST) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy. This position involves conducting research and analysis of data, information, and statistics related to early warning and food security. The role requires planning and preparing analytical appraisals and studies on current and prospective food security situations in assigned regions and countries. The Economist will support the delivery of projects and conduct field missions, contributing to comprehensive technical, statistical, analytical, and policy analysis services. The position also entails developing specialized tools, methodologies, and databases to support the planning, implementation, and monitoring of the program of work and related products, projects, publications, and services.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Economist will be responsible for a variety of key functions, including planning and leading components of multidisciplinary teams, developing technical frameworks and related tools, conducting research and data collection, and providing technical/policy advice to regional and country offices. Specific duties include analyzing food supply and demand situations, contributing to GIEWS analytical work and publications, leading the preparation of studies and reports on early warning and food security, and developing partnerships with other FAO divisions and international organizations. The Economist will also organize and participate in Crop and Food Security Assessment Missions (CFSAMs), build networks at country and regional levels, and support capacity development projects in early warning information systems and food security analysis. Additionally, the role involves preparing briefs and presentations for senior management and contributing to project proposals for resource mobilization.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master's Degree or equivalent) in economics, agricultural economics, or a related field. A minimum of seven years of relevant experience in economic analysis of agricultural and food security is required. Proficiency in English (level C) and intermediate knowledge of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) is mandatory. Candidates should demonstrate results focus, teamwork, communication skills, and the ability to build effective relationships. Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement are also essential competencies for this role.

Educational Background:
The position requires an advanced university degree, specifically a Master's Degree or equivalent, in economics, agricultural economics, or a related field. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of food security and agricultural economics, which are central to the responsibilities of the Economist role.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least seven years of relevant experience in economic analysis related to agricultural and food security. Experience in monitoring, analysis, and assessment of food security for early warning in developing countries is desirable. Additionally, candidates should have demonstrated experience in planning and conducting economic analysis related to food production, consumption, stocks, trade, policies, and prices of basic food commodities. Familiarity with relevant information systems and statistical methods for analyzing large datasets is also important.

Languages:
Proficiency in English is mandatory, with a required level of C. Candidates must also have intermediate knowledge (level B) of another FAO official language, which can be Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish. This multilingual capability is essential for effective communication and collaboration within the international context of FAO's work.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Rome, Italy, at FAO headquarters. It is a full-time role, and candidates will be assessed against the minimum requirements outlined in the job description. The Economist will be involved in various international cooperation and collaboration efforts, advocating for best practices and providing technical expertise at international meetings and conferences. The role may also involve resource mobilization activities in accordance with the Strategic Framework and divisional plans.