Economist

Job Posting Organization:
The Rural Transformation and Gender Equality Division (ESP) is a part of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) that focuses on various social dimensions of rural development and livelihood. The division aims to empower rural populations by enhancing social protection systems, diversifying employment opportunities, and addressing gender gaps and social inequalities. It collaborates with member countries and partners through a rights-based approach to improve governance and access to resources for the rural poor. The Socio-Economic Research and Analysis (SERA) Team within ESP supports member states in identifying policies and programs that foster resilient and inclusive agri-food systems through rigorous evidence generation and dissemination. The SERA team's research agenda emphasizes addressing socio-economic barriers faced by rural populations, particularly those living in poverty or experiencing structural vulnerabilities, in the context of global challenges such as climate change and population pressures.

Job Overview:
The Economist position is integral to the SERA team's strategic research and policy support agenda, which aligns with FAO's broader strategic framework. The role involves providing intellectual leadership and methodological guidance to develop effective policies and programs that promote inclusive rural transformation. The candidate will engage in research focused on economic inclusion, climate change, and gender equality, which are critical for fostering inclusive rural development. The position requires expertise in various methodological approaches, including applied econometric analysis, impact evaluation methods, value chain analysis, geospatial analysis, and advanced data modeling techniques. The Economist will work closely with the Senior Economist and the team leader to implement the research agenda and contribute to policy analysis and recommendations.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Economist will be responsible for a range of tasks, including:

• Supporting the design and implementation of experimental and quasi-experimental impact evaluations for projects and programs, which involves sample and questionnaire design, training enumerators, supervising data collection, and ensuring data quality during fieldwork.
• Assisting in the preparation and analysis of secondary survey data, such as Living Standards Measurement Study (LSMS) and World Bank Enterprise Surveys (WBES).
• Extracting and summarizing geospatial data to integrate with georeferenced survey data from various sources.
• Conducting quantitative analyses using econometric and spatial methods, focusing on smallholder farmers in developing countries.
• Contributing to policy analysis related to social inclusion, climate change, sustainable agricultural growth, and rural development.
• Producing research outputs, including reports, working papers, and articles for peer-reviewed journals.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a relevant technical degree or certificate (for Subscribers) or an advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO (for Consultants) in fields such as economics, development economics, agricultural economics, resource economics, geography, or related disciplines. Additionally, candidates should have a minimum of one year of relevant experience for Category C, five years for Category B, and ten years for Category A in empirical analysis. A working knowledge of English (level C) is required, and knowledge of a second FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) is considered an asset.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a relevant technical degree or certificate for Subscribers or an advanced university degree for Consultants in economics, development economics, agricultural economics, resource economics, geography, or related fields. This educational foundation is essential for understanding the complexities of rural development and the socio-economic factors influencing it.

Experience:
The level of experience required for the Economist position varies by category: at least one year of relevant experience is needed for Category C, at least five years for Category B, and at least ten years for Category A. Candidates should have substantial experience in empirical analysis, particularly in contexts related to rural development, social inclusion, and economic policies.

Languages:
A working knowledge of English (level C) is mandatory for this position. Additionally, knowledge of a second FAO official language, which includes Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish, is considered an asset and may enhance the candidate's qualifications.

Additional Notes:
The position may involve working in multiple locations, and candidates should be prepared for potential travel or remote work arrangements. The role is likely to be full-time, and candidates should be aware that the FAO values diversity and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including those from developing countries. Compensation and benefits details are typically provided during the hiring process.