Economic Analyst

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please be aware that the Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on the date and time settings of your personal device.
The duration of the appointment for internal FAO candidates will be determined in accordance with applicable policies regarding the extension of appointments.

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FAO's Commitment to Diversity:
• FAO is dedicated to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background, and culture.
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals from non-and under-represented Members, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
• All FAO employees are expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, aligning with FAO's values.
• FAO maintains a zero-tolerance policy for any conduct that contradicts its status, objectives, and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination.
• All selected candidates will undergo thorough reference and background checks.
• All applications will be handled with the utmost confidentiality.
• FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the Organization's activities or offices.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) plays a vital role in achieving the Agenda through its Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems, ensuring better production, improved nutrition, a healthier environment, and enhanced quality of life, leaving no one behind.

Organizational Context:
The Inclusive Rural Transformation and Gender Equality Division (ESP) coordinates FAO's efforts on various social dimensions, including rural institutions, services, social protection, gender equality, decent rural employment, tenure rights, and the right to food. ESP collaborates with member countries and partners through a rights-based approach to empower individuals by enhancing social protection systems and extending their coverage to rural areas, diversifying rural employment opportunities, reducing gender gaps, and addressing other social inequalities, strengthening producers' organizations, and improving governance of tenure and access to natural and productive resources and financial services.
The Socio-Economic Research and Analysis (SERA) team within the ESP Division supports Members in their goal to promote inclusive rural transformation processes through the generation and dissemination of rigorous, policy-relevant socio-economic evidence.

Reporting Structure:
The Economist will report to the Senior Economist (Social Protection)/Team Leader of the SERA team, ESP.

Technical Focus:
This role supports the execution of the strategic research and policy support agenda of the SERA team, which is integrated within FAO's broader strategic framework. The research agenda is organized around key thematic areas of economic inclusion, equitable responses to climate change, and gender equality, which are essential components of inclusive rural transformation processes. The SERA team focuses on various policy domains, including social protection, climate change adaptation, addressing market failures faced by small-scale producers, supporting rural labor markets, equitable land administration, and rural institutions. In this context, the position provides intellectual and methodological contributions to identify and implement effective policies and programs to support inclusive rural transformation based on rigorous evidence.

Key Results:
Research and analysis of information, data, and statistics, along with the maintenance and updating of related tools, methodologies, and/or databases to support the delivery of program products, projects, publications, and services.

Key Responsibilities:
• Conducts research and analysis of [agricultural, economic, trade, market, social, environmental, nutrition/food composition, and/or gender-related] data, statistics, and information to provide technical, statistical, and/or policy-related insights to support the delivery of economic and social development programs, products, projects, publications, and services.
• Produces a variety of technical reports and contributions for technical documents, cross-divisional publications, and/or web pages.
• Provides technical, statistical, and/or analytical services on various studies, projects, and/or assessments and offers technical support to field projects.
• Participates in the development of improved/updated technical, statistical, and/or analytical tools, methodologies, systems, databases, and/or key social/economic/environmental/nutritional and/or early warning indicators, etc.
• Collaborates on multidisciplinary teams, engages with other departments and agencies on work groups and committees, and promotes best practices.
• Contributes to capacity development activities involving the planning and organization of training workshops, seminars, and major meetings, along with the preparation of related information, materials, online tools, and information kits.
• Advocates for knowledge sharing and best practices at international meetings and conferences and influences partners in stakeholder consultations.
• Engages in resource mobilization activities.

Specific Responsibilities:
• Collaborates in designing and implementing rigorous impact evaluations and/or other relevant methodological approaches to generate evidence that enhances the impacts of projects and programs on the welfare of poor and vulnerable rural populations, focusing on climate change, gender equality, and/or economic inclusion.
• Develops tools and approaches based on available geo-spatial data and other publicly available datasets to generate policy-relevant information and guidance tools.
• Provides technical writing and analysis for key divisional knowledge products.
• Fosters strong connections between evidence generation and national, regional, and global policy discussions on rural transformation.

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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING:

Minimum Requirements:
• Advanced university degree in economics, resource/environmental economics, development economics, agricultural economics, economic geography, or a related field.
• Five years of relevant experience in quantitative socio-economic analysis, ideally with demonstrated work related to the thematic and policy focal areas of the team.
• Proficient working knowledge (level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate – level B) of another official FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish).

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.
• Extent and relevance of experience and knowledge in conducting and disseminating socio-economic research and analysis, with a focus on rural areas.
• Depth of familiarity with policy debates and processes related to rural transformation and poverty reduction.
• Depth of experience using software packages for statistical and spatial analysis.
• Experience in implementing and designing data collection exercises, including for impact evaluations.
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate partnerships and coalitions, including with governments, development partners, civil society organizations, and the private sector.
• Proven ability to advocate and communicate effectively on rural policy and governance issues, including in the broader contexts of climate change and agrifood systems, and work collaboratively in a team environment.

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FAO staff are expected to adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All, and Integrity and Transparency.

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GENERAL INFORMATION:
• Extension of fixed-term appointments is based on performance certification and availability of funds.
• FAO reserves the right not to make an appointment.
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

CONDITIONS OF SERVICE:
A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For information on UN salaries, allowances, and benefits, please refer to the relevant resources. Other benefits, subject to eligibility, include:
• Dependency allowances
• Rental subsidy
• Education grant for children
• Home leave travel
• 30 working days of annual leave per year
• Pension fund entitlements under the UN Joint Staff Pension Fund
• International health insurance; optional life insurance
• Disability protection. FAO promotes a positive workplace culture to enhance inclusivity and diversity within its workforce. FAO implements measures ensuring that all staff members contribute equally and fully to the work and development of the Organization, including:
• Family-friendly policies
• Flexible working arrangements
• Standards of conduct.

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