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DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

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ABOUT WFP

The World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity, for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

At WFP, people are at the heart of everything we do and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse, committed, skilled, and high performing teams, selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living WFP's values (Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves.

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WHY JOIN WFP? 

• WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.

• WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse, and multicultural working environment.

• WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of training, accreditation, coaching, mentorship, and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities.

• A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across the various country, regional and global offices around the world, and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe.

• We offer an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section of this vacancy announcement).

TERMS OF REFERENCE
FOR SHORT-TERM/CONSULTANCY CONTRACTS

JOB TITLE: ECONOMIST
TYPE OF CONTRACT: REGULAR CONSULTANT
UNIT/DIVISION:   Economic and Markets Unit (APP-FE); Analysis, Planning and Performance Division in WFP HQ
DUTY STATION (City, Country):  Rome

DURATION: Until 24 July 2026

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:
The Economic and Markets Unit (APP-FE) in the Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Service (APP-F) 
of the Analysis, Planning and Performance Division (APP) of the World Food Programme (WFP) seeks to 
fill an economist position, which will be based at the Headquarters of the United Nations World 
Food Programme in Rome, Italy.
The APP-F Service in WFP Headquarters leads WFP's food security analysis, supporting a large 
network of analysts in Regional Bureaux (RBx) and Country Offices (COs). Food security analysis is 
a cornerstone of the organization's work. It provides WFP, governments and partners with the 
essential information to identify populations in need and target the most appropriate type and 
scale of interventions as well as with the necessary knowledge to inform policy decisions and 
advocacy efforts. Analyses span emergency assessments, in-depth household surveys, food security 
monitoring, early warning and forecasting, spatial analysis and economic and market analysis.
APP-FE leverages economic analysis to support operational decision-making and evidence-driven 
advocacy. The unit provides tools, guidance and support to WFP COs to enhance their capacity to 
monitor food prices, assess markets, analyze essential needs and adjust programmes in contexts of 
economic volatility, ensuring that interventions are both timely and effective. APP-FE further 
monitors economic trends and risks, analyzes food security implications of global economic shocks 
and runs scenario simulations, based on cutting-edge economic research.
APP-FE is recruiting an economist who will contribute to the work of the unit in general and, more 
specifically, to the unit's portfolio on prices and currencies, including price database 
management, price analysis and publication of monthly market monitors as well as improving the 
unit's price-related products to better serve CO needs; and support essential needs analysis, in 
particular development of minimum expenditure baskets.

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:
Under the supervision of the head of unit, the economist will have the following responsibilities:
1. Support price and exchange rate monitoring activities
a.  Manage the price database, in close collaboration with APP's Data and Systems Unit, and 
backstop and guide COs and RBx on price monitoring and data upload through Data Bridges to the database;

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TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR SHORT-TERM/CONSULTANCY CONTRACTS

b. Ensure data quality, adding new parameters (commodities, markets etc.) when required to the price database;
c.  Update the online APP Global Market Monitor every two weeks, ensuring quality of the displayed 
analysis and updates of scripts and analysis as required;
d. Prepare the monthly APP Prices & Currencies Brief; and
e. Provide economic analyses for divisional and executive management as requested.
2.  Lead the development and implementation of a strategy to boost the usefulness of APP-FE's 
price-related products and services to COs, in collaboration with other team members
a.  Identify and break down the problem statement, including through engaging with RBx and COs;
b. Analyse pathways to solutions; and
c. Define a project plan and keep track of progress.
3. Under the guidance of the head of unit, lead the unit's Essential Needs Analysis activities and 
tasks
a. Support COs in the construction of Minimum Expenditure Baskets and gap analyses
b. Coordinate and contribute to the refinement and expansion of Essential Needs Analysis 
methodological package
4. Deliver training modules to RBx or COs.
5. Support COs and RBx with economic analyses and field missions as required.
6. Any other assigned task.

DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT:

•  Up-to-date price database

•  Monthly Global Market Monitor dashboard published online

•  Monthly APP Prices & Currencies Brief sent out

•  Price upload issues through Data Bridges solved as required

•  Increased uptake of the APP-FE's price-related products by COs

•  Minimum Expenditure Baskets constructed as requested by COs

•  Methodological refinements of Essential Needs Analysis contributed to

•  Essential Needs Analysis training modules and guidance notes delivered as requested by RBx or COs

•  Economic analyses contributed to or prepared as requested

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Education:  − Advanced university degree in economics, statistics, household or agricultural 
economics, food security or another relevant field
Experience:  − Experience in quantitative analysis
−  Experience working with price, economic and household survey data

Knowledge & Skills:

−  Exceptional analytical and conceptual skills
−  Excellent command of MS office and Stata or R, visual basic and XML coding skills
−  Strong econometric skills highly desirable
−  Good analytical skills
−  Strong writing skills with a demonstrated ability to research and draft clear, concise analytical briefs

−  Attention to detail
−  Problem-solving attitude and creativity
−  Ability to work both with minimal supervision and as part of a team
−  Ability to establish effective working relations with persons of different national and cultural 
backgrounds
−  Willingness to participate to field mission

Languages:  − Fluent written and spoken English
−  Working knowledge of French, Arabic or Spanish is an advantage
 

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REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

WFP is committed to supporting individuals with disabilities by providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process. If you require a reasonable accommodation, please contact: 

NO FEE DISCLAIMER

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REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

• All applications must be submitted exclusively through our online recruitment system. We do not accept CVs or spontaneous applications by email.

• If you experience challenges while submitting your online application, please contact us at for technical support only.

• Please note that applications sent to this email address cannot be considered.

• We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete, and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, language skills and UN Grade (if applicable).

• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application.

• Please make sure you upload your professional CV in the English language

• Kindly note the only documents you will need to submit at this time are your CV and Cover Letter

• Additional documents such as passport, recommendation letters, academic certificates, etc. may potentially be requested at a future time

• Only shortlisted candidates will be notified

All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.