CSA Economics and Policy Specialist

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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 person 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

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the Agenda through the 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.
The Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment promotes integration of innovative approaches in the activities of the Organization, for the sustainable use, management and conservation of natural resources for food and agriculture. OCB assists FAO Members in their responses towards the challenge of climate change mitigation and adaptation, as well as the development of adaptive capacities of agriculture, fisheries and forestry for conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and other natural resources. It provides a coordination role on climate change, biodiversity and the environment. The Office also serves as the focal point for a multidisciplinary and global approach to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conferences (UNFCCC), and Commission on Biological Diversity (CBD) and topics on bioenergy as well as on Globally Important Agriculture Heritage Systems, ecosystem restoration and green and climate resilient agriculture. 
Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) is one of the approaches promoted by OCB’s Climate Change Policy Team. The CSA concept was first introduced by FAO in and was innovative in integrating the objectives of increasing agricultural production and farmers’ incomes with climate change adaptation (CCA) and mitigation (CCM). After 10 years, the context of international development cooperation and related agreements have evolved featuring stronger needs for social and environmental (biodiversity) integration, need to capitalize on synergies from and address trade-offs with SDGs, requiring more focus on gender and vulnerable groups sensitivities etc. In this context strong analytical work on smallholder agricultural households as well as integration of the CSA concept into wider food systems transformation framework, policy and legislation are also essential.

Reporting Lines

The consultant/PSA will work under the direct supervision of the Natural Resources Officer and/or Climate Smart Agriculture Specialist of the Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment, and/or other related units in FAO working on CSA on other related concepts.

Technical Focus 

• Climate Smart Agriculture
• Sustainable agricultural and food systems transitions
• Nature-based solutions
• Climate change, biodiversity and environment
• Integrated agricultural policies
• Agricultural economics
• Modelling of multidimensional sustainability of agrifood systems
• Quantitative econometric analysis and qualitative assessments

Tasks and responsibilities

• Support consultations with FAO regional and country offices and national institutions on needs, challenges and capacity gaps for implementation of sustainable approaches. 
• Support coordinating interagency collaboration to strengthen existing concepts such as CSA to ensure they meet current and emerging requirements, including adequately addressing the social and environmental issues as well as align with the new international commitments such as the SDGs, UNFCCC NDCs and future CBD commitments, national development priorities, as well as provision on issues such as the EU green deal, green recovery, etc.
• Support in increasing the visibility of the division’s work in the global food system transformation discourse.
• Support further development of the CSA+ concept by “upgrading” the CSA approach to better address: 1) social issues (gender and disability groups); 2) other national environmental obligations (in particular biodiversity), and 3) address key barriers for transition (such as land tenure and governance, anti-corruption measures, reducing administrative sludge, etc.).
• Support the development of project proposals to undertake piloting of the CSA Framework and CSA+ concept methodologies in a number of countries.
• Undertake assessment of knowledge and training gaps in the agricultural sector in a number of countries.
• Conduct research on global distribution of land, land size, productivity and governance to inform the division’s global engagement on these topics. 
• Provide feedback and technical inputs to other products developed by the project team, e.g. for behaviourally informed Farmer Field School Modules.
• Work closely with policy teams in FAO country offices on providing strategic policy advice to government counterparts on technical issues related to climate smart and sustainable agriculture, agroecology and other integrated agricultural approaches.
• Support OCB in promoting international cooperation/advocating best practices, increased policy dialogue and provide technical expertise at international/intergovernmental meetings.
• Contribute to the development and review of technical products, in particular, economic and environmental analysis and produce related evidence-based policy guidance.
• Perform quantitative analysis - data handling and visualization, statistical analysis, econometric estimation, economic modelling, and forecasting.
• Perform any other duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in agriculture, agricultural economics, natural resources, climate change, environmental sciences, public policy, data sciences, or related field.
• One to four years (for CAT C) of relevant experience; minimum 5 years (for CAT B) of relevant experience and minimum 15 years of relevant experience (for Cat A) in the areas of sustainable agriculture, climate smart agriculture, agroecology, nature-based solutions and other sustainable agricultural approaches, agricultural economics, economics of land distribution, including providing policy advice and/or econometric analysis in these areas.
• Working knowledge of English, French or Spanish and limited knowledge of one of the other three or Arabic, Chinese or Russian (for consultants); working knowledge of English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese or Russian (for PSAs). 

FAO Core 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.
• Extent and relevance of experience in sustainable agriculture, climate smart agriculture, agroecology, nature-based solutions and other sustainable agricultural approaches, agricultural economics, economics of land distribution, including providing policy advice and/or econometric analysis in these areas.
• Good ability to work both in a team and independently with minimum supervision.
• Ability to analyze and present big amounts of data and information in concise and structured manner.
• Demonstrated experience with statistical methods, data analytics, numerical computing languages (e.g. Python, R, GAMS) and GIS will be a strong asset.
• Extent and relevance of experience in providing policy advice to governments on agricultural, environmental and food systems issues.
• Ability to engage and deal with stakeholders at national, sub-national and regional level.
• Understanding of FAO procedures will be considered a strong asset.
• Demonstrated ability to formulate, draft and finalize clear technical and policy documents, guidelines, manuals and reports, as well as peer reviewed publications (for Cat A) in English.
• Demonstrated ability to work in multi-cultural and geographically dispersed teams, including through remote work.

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

FAO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing) Please note that FAO will only consider academic credentials or degrees obtained from an educational institution recognized in the IAU/UNESCO list Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at For more information, visit the FAO employment website Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

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