Economist

Job Posting: 07/Oct/2024

Closure Date: 21/Oct/2024, 4:59:00 PM

Organizational Unit: ESA - Agrifood Economics and Policy Division

Job Type: Non-staff opportunities

Type of Requisition: Consultant / PSA (Personal Services Agreement)

Grade Level: N/A

Primary Location: Italy-Rome

Duration: Up to 11 months (renewable)

Post Number: N/A

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**Organizational Setting**

The Agrifood Economics and Policy Division (ESA) conducts economic research and policy analysis to support the transformation to more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind. ESA provides evidence-based support to national, regional and global policy processes and initiatives related to monitoring and analysing food and agricultural policies, agribusiness and value chain development, rural transformation and poverty, food security and nutrition information and analysis, resilience, bioeconomy, and climate-smart agriculture. The division also leads the production of two FAO flagship publications: The State of Food and Agriculture (SOFA) and The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI).

The post is located at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy, in the sustainable markets, agribusiness and rural transformations (iSMART) team within ESA. The focus of the iSMART team is on the economic analysis of the actors and their functions in agrifood systems, examining how factors such as market demand and supply, prices, government policies, digital innovations, vulnerability and capacity of actors, and environmental factors affect processes of inclusion, resilience, risk, sustainability, and transformation of Agrifood value chains.

**Reporting Lines**

The Economist reports to the Senior Economist (iSMART), ESA, under the overall supervision of the Director, ESA. He/she will also be reporting, through ESA Management, to technical cooperation units as well as donors funding the programme.

**Technical Focus**

**Tasks and responsibilities**

**Using econometrics and modelling tools**, the Economist will examine aspects related to risk, resilience, food security, and rural poverty in developing countries' agrifood systems. This role aims to shape policies enhancing the agrifood system resilience, boosting food security, and alleviating rural and urban poverty.

**Economic Research and Analysis**: Conduct research and analysis on economic issues, trends, and policies. Utilize quantitative research methods to gather and interpret data.

**Model Development and Data Analysis**: Prepare and update the country situation analysis report of FAO member countries by identifying and compiling relevant data and preparing data tables, charts and analysis as essential input to the report. Create robust economic models to better understand current economic patterns and dynamics. Utilize statistical software for comprehensive data analysis and interpretation, thereby unveiling significant economic indicators and relationships. Develop economic models to predict future economic trends. Use statistical software for data analysis and interpretation.

**Policy Analysis and Development**:Assess** **existing agrifood policies and providing valuable contributions towards suggesting enhancements, grounded in sound economic theories and evidence-based research findings.

**Advisory**: Provide advice and recommendations to policymakers, businesses, and other stakeholders based on research findings.

**Risk and Uncertainty Analysis**:In the context of the iSMART team, assess the risks and uncertainties faced by agrifood systems in developing countries, such as natural disasters, price and market crises and policy fluctuations. Conduct statistical and economic analysis to understand the potential impacts and develop strategies to manage and mitigate these risks.

**Food Security Analysis**: Assess the factors influencing food security in FAO member countries, include access to nutritious and affordable food, agricultural productivity, value chain efficiency, and policy frameworks. Conduct economic analysis to inform policies and interventions that enhance food security and reduce