Economist

Job Posting Organization:
The Agrifood Economics and Policy Division (ESA) is a part of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. The division is dedicated to conducting economic research and policy analysis aimed at transforming agrifood systems to be more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable. ESA's mission is to support better production, nutrition, environment, and life, ensuring that no one is left behind. Established as part of FAO's broader efforts, ESA plays a crucial role in providing evidence-based support to various policy processes and initiatives at national, regional, and global levels. The division is responsible for producing key 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), and it contributes to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG2) while adhering to climate thresholds.

Job Overview:
The Economist position within the Agrifood Economics and Policy Division (ESA) involves supporting the ESA Director in various quantitative analysis tasks, data collection, and the implementation of research and policy activities. The role is focused on quantitative analysis that aids in the transformation of agrifood systems towards sustainable pathways. The selected candidate will engage in economic modelling and other related duties, contributing to the development of technical products and providing evidence-based policy guidance. The position requires collaboration with other FAO divisions, Country Offices, and external partners, ensuring that the work aligns with the overarching goals of the organization.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Economist will be responsible for conducting qualitative research to complement quantitative analysis, performing data handling and visualization, and executing statistical analysis, econometric estimation, and economic modelling. The role includes contributing to the development and review of technical products, particularly in economic and environmental analysis, and drafting reports to communicate key findings. The Economist will validate and interpret results from economic analyses, support the preparation of technical documents, and provide analytical support for various projects under the Office of the Director. Additionally, the Economist will liaise with partners and coordinate with other FAO units as necessary.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must meet specific educational and professional requirements. For consultants, an advanced university degree in relevant fields such as economics, agricultural economics, or data sciences is required, along with additional years of experience based on the category of the position. For Personal Services Agreements (PSAs), a university degree in similar fields is necessary. Candidates should have a minimum of 1 year of relevant experience for category C, 5 years for category B, and 10 years for category A. A working knowledge of English is mandatory, and familiarity with other FAO official languages is considered an asset.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in fields such as economics, agricultural economics, international trade, environmental sciences, public policy, data sciences, or statistics. For consultants with a bachelor's degree, two additional years of relevant professional experience are required. For PSAs, a university degree in the aforementioned fields is sufficient.

Experience:
The level of experience required varies by category. For category C, a minimum of 1 year of relevant experience is needed, while category B requires 5 years, and category A necessitates 10 years of experience in areas such as economics, agricultural economics, international trade, public policy, and statistics. Candidates should have experience in managing large datasets, applied economic modelling, and presenting analytical results effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Languages:
A working knowledge of English (level C) is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of another FAO official language, such as Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish, would be considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's profile and ability to communicate in a multilingual environment.

Additional Notes:
The job posting does not specify a deadline for applications. It is important to note that the position may involve working in multiple locations, and the nature of the contract, whether full-time or part-time, is not explicitly mentioned. The role may also involve international recruitment, and details regarding compensation and benefits are not provided in the job description.