Economist (Food Security Early Warning)

Organizational Setting
FAO's commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

The Markets and Trade Division (EST) monitors and analyses developments and trends in international, regional and national

agricultural commodity markets and the factors affecting them, collecting and disseminating up-to-date and comprehensive market

and policy information for the major traded commodities and those important to food security. It also undertakes forward-looking

outlook studies.

The Division analyses issues that affect global food and agricultural markets and trade, including analysis of trade policies and

agreements, and provides technical support and capacity development to FAO Members in all these areas. Through its Global

Information and Early Warning System on Food and Agriculture (GIEWS), the Division is responsible for FAO's early warnings on

food shortfalls and food security problems. EST is also responsible for the production of FAO flagship publication The State of

Agricultural Commodity Markets (SOCO) and the OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook. The Division houses the secretariats of the

Committee on Commodity Problems (CCP) and its subsidiary Intergovernmental Groups (IGGs), the G20 Agricultural Market

Information System (AMIS) and the World Banana Forum (WBF).

The post is located in the Global Information and Early Warning System on Food and Agriculture (GIEWS) Team of the Markets

and Trade Division (EST) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines
The Economist (Food Security Early Warning) reports to the Senior Economist and Team Leader of GIEWS Team, under the overall

guidance of Director, EST.

Technical Focus
Research and analysis of data, information and statistics in the area of early warning and food security and the maintenance and

updating of related databases, tools and methodologies. Planning and preparation of analytical appraisals and studies on current

and prospective food security situations in assigned regions and countries, supporting the delivery of projects, and conducting field

missions.

Key Results
Comprehensive technical, statistical, analytical and/or policy analysis services and the development of specialized tools,

methodologies, systems and/or databases to support the planning, implementation/delivery and monitoring of the programme of

work and related products, projects, publications and services.

Key Functions

• Plans and leads components of multidisciplinary teams and short-term work groups; leads and/or participates in divisional

teams, Organization-wide committees, project teams and working groups and provides specialized expertise on international

technical networks and/or technical policy and standard setting bodies.

• Develops technical, statistical, analytical, monitoring and reporting frameworks and related tools, methodologies, systems

and databases, etc. to support the planning, implementation/delivery and monitoring of the programmes of work, products,

projects and services.

• Designs and conducts research, data collection, validation, analysis and/or reporting activities to support the development of

technical standards, international instruments, innovative tools and methodologies, flagship publications/technical reports

and/or policy proposals as well as the provision of technical specialist and/or policy advice and expertise.

• Responds to requests and provides technical/policy advice, assistance and solutions to Regional, Subregional and Country

Offices and provides technical backstopping to field projects.

• Promotes international cooperation and collaboration, advocates best practices and increased policy dialogue and provides

technical expertise at international meetings and conferences.

• Collaborates in capacity development activities involving knowledge sharing, the organization of training workshops, seminars

and meetings, as well as the development of related materials and on-line tools and information kits.

• Participates in resource mobilization activities in accordance with the Strategic Framework and divisional plans, in

collaboration with the Resource Mobilization Division (PSR).

Specific Functions

• Analyses the food supply/demand situation in the countries or regions of assignment and monitors available data and

information on crop production, consumption, trade, stocks, prices and related policies.

• Contributes to GIEWS analytical work, studies and publications, including periodical reports carried out in collaboration with

other organizations, such as the Food Security Information Network (FSIN) Global Report on Food Crises, the FAO/World

Food Programme (WFP) Hunger Hotspots and the Group on Earth Observations Global Agricultural Monitoring (GEOGLAM)

Crop Monitor for Early Warning.

• Leads the preparation of studies, technical papers and reports on early warning and food security.
• Contributes to the updating and upgrading of GIEWS methodologies for supply/demand analyses, crop production monitoring

and assessments and the development of new methodologies using new tools including artificial intelligence and machine

learning.

• Develops and contributes to partnerships with other FAO Divisions/Offices/Centres, other international organizations and

regional and national institutions working in the field of early warning and food security.

• Organizes, participates in, or leads Crop and Food Security Assessment Missions (CFSAMs) and other types of missions to

countries facing impending food crises to assess agricultural production and food supply/security situation.

• Builds and supports networks at country and regional levels to ensure the regular flow of food security related information to

GIEWS and provides technical support on crop and food security monitoring and assessment methods.

• Supports the development and strengthening of food security information networks at country and regional levels, maintaining

close collaboration with FAO Representations and Country Offices, as well as relevant national, regional and international

institutions and other stakeholders.

• Provides technical support for capacity development projects in the areas of early warning information systems and market

and food security analysis, in the assigned countries and regions.

• Prepares briefs, notes, speaking points, speeches and presentations for senior management.
• Participates in relevant meetings and media interviews related to GIEWS mandate, as required.
• Contributes to and develops project proposals for extra-budgetary resource mobilization.
• Performs other related duties, as required.

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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Maste's Degree or equivalent) in economics, agricultural economics or a related field.
• Seven years of relevant experience in economic analysis of agricultural and food security.
• Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of

another FAO official 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, is desirable.
• Demonstrated experience in monitoring, analysis and assessment of food security for early warning in developing countries.
• Demonstrated experience in planning and conducting economic analysis related to food production, consumption, stocks,

trade, policies and prices of basic food commodities.

• Extent and relevance of experience in developing and maintaining partnerships and collaborative arrangements with national

and international institutions in relation to early warning for food security.

• Depth of familiarity with relevant information systems on food and agriculture and methods of monitoring and assessing food

security using proper indicators.

• Experience in applying statistical methods to analyse large data sets related to agriculture, commodity markets and food

security.

• Demonstrated ability to write and present clearly and concisely.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team and under strict deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability and experience in developing project proposals and in resource mobilization.

Job Posting
05/Nov/2025

Closure Date
03/Dec/2025, 11:59:00 PM

Organizational Unit
EST

Job Type
Staff position

Type of Requisition
Professional

Grade Level
P-4

Primary Location
Italy-Rome

Duration
Fixed-term: two years with possibility of extension

Post Number
0732958

CCOG Code
1L09

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device

The length of appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to the extension of appointments.
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• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
• FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.

FAO's commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through FAO Strategic Framework by supporting 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.