Economist (Policy Analysis)

Job Posting Organization:
The Agrifood Economics and Policy Division (ESA) is a part of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. Established to conduct economic research and policy analysis, ESA supports national, regional, and global policy processes related to food and agricultural policies. The division is responsible for producing flagship publications such as the State of Food and Agriculture (SOFA) and the State of security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI). ESA operates in multiple countries, focusing on issues such as agribusiness, rural transformation, food security, and climate-smart agriculture, with a mission to enhance food systems and improve livelihoods globally.

Job Overview:
The Economist (Policy Analysis) position is integral to the Policy Reform, Intelligence, Monitoring, and Evaluation (PRIME) team within ESA. This role involves contributing to the implementation of policy monitoring activities, particularly through the estimation and updating of price incentives and public expenditure indicators. The Economist will analyze these indicators and produce analytical products, including policy monitoring reviews. The position requires collaboration with various stakeholders, including government institutions and research organizations, to create sustainable policy monitoring systems. The Economist will also identify key policy issues that require in-depth analysis to inform policy reforms, thereby supporting the overarching goal of enhancing agricultural investment and productivity growth, especially for smallholder farmers.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Economist will be responsible for collecting, reviewing, and analyzing agricultural, economic, trade, market, social, environmental, and nutrition-related data. Key duties include providing technical input for plans and reports, participating in the development of improved tools and methodologies, and updating databases and web pages. The Economist will also participate in multidisciplinary project teams, develop training materials, and organize workshops and seminars. Specific functions include delivering and finalizing Price Incentives (PI) and Public Expenditure (PE) indicators for selected countries, supporting the dissemination of analytical products, drafting analytical dashboards, and conducting global analyses on agricultural policy support. The role also involves supervising consultants and contributing to the policy support work of the ESA division.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in economics, agricultural economics, development studies, international relations, or a related field. A minimum of three years of relevant experience in policy and quantitative analysis of food and agricultural issues is required. Proficiency in English (level C) and intermediate knowledge of another official FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) is mandatory. Candidates should demonstrate competencies in results focus, teamwork, communication, building effective relationships, and knowledge sharing.

Educational Background:
The position requires an advanced university degree, specifically a Master’s degree or equivalent, in fields such as economics, agricultural economics, development studies, or international relations. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of food and agricultural policies and for conducting rigorous economic analysis.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least three years of relevant experience in policy and quantitative analysis, particularly in the context of food and agricultural issues. Experience in conducting quantitative economic analysis, including the analysis of agricultural policy distortions and public expenditure, is crucial. Familiarity with relevant quantitative methods and the ability to support the formulation and implementation of analytical studies are also important.

Languages:
A working knowledge of English (proficiency - level C) is mandatory, along with intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of another official FAO language such as Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish. Additionally, proficiency in French (considered a strong asset) is advantageous for this position.

Additional Notes:
The position is based at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy. It is essential for candidates to be flexible and willing to collaborate with various stakeholders, including government institutions and international organizations. The role may involve travel to different countries to support policy monitoring activities. The position is full-time, and candidates will be assessed based on their qualifications and experience relevant to the duties outlined.