The Economist (Agricultural Policy Analyst) will support economic and policy analysis of a range of technical issues related to food and agriculture in developing countries. In particular, FAO is looking for candidates with experience in one or more of the following areas of expertise:

•    Public expenditure analysis and/or public financial management systems
•    Analysis of agricultural prices and/or price distortions and incentives
•    Agricultural value chains and commodity markets
•    Agrifood trade policy
•    Agricultural development strategies/investment plans
•    Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) and Partial Equilibrium modelling
•    Cost-benefit analysis of agricultural interventions

She/he will work in close coordination with the other members of the MAFAP team. She/he will be familiar with one or more of the above analytical methods, tools, and areas of work. She/he will be familiar with policy engagement and advice efforts in an international development setting, preferably on agricultural and/or food security policy issues.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Produce policy monitoring indicators and analyses related to price incentives along agricultural value chains.
•    Compile and classify large datasets to produce food and agricultural public expenditure indicators and analysis.
•    Contribute to the effective implementation of strategic partnerships within FAO and with other development partners involved in agricultural policy monitoring activities.
•    Contribute to the development of technical products and analytical studies to support evidence-based policy reform processes with a focus on trade and market price policies and/or investment priorities in the framework of agrifood systems transformation strategies.
•    Contribute to the drafting of actionable and high-quality policy recommendations, technical reports, and policy briefs.
•    Participate in policy-relevant meetings, roundtables or other events related to food and agricultural policy analyses and reform in developing countries.
•    Support capacity development activities benefitting government counterparts and other selected national partners.
•    Support day-to-day implementation of activities in close partnership with national counterparts.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    University degree in agricultural economics, development studies, political science, public policy, public financial management, international development, or related fields.
•    Minimum of 1 year for category C, 5 years for category B, 12 years for COF category A, and 15 years for PSA category A of relevant experience in the areas listed above.
•    Working knowledge (level C) in English and limited knowledge (level B) in another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish). For PSA, knowledge of English (level C) only is required.

FAO Core Competencies

•    Results Focus
•    Teamwork
•    Communication
•    Building Effective Relationships
•    Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

•    Work experience in one or more developing countries, and preferably in Sub-Saharan Africa.
•    Extent and relevance of experience in in conducting quantitative economic analysis of agricultural and food policies, including analysis of agricultural policy distortions and public expenditure for the food and agricultural sector.
•    Experience in conducing qualitative analyses of food and agriculture policy processes.
•    Familiarity with providing policy advice to governments in developing countries.
•    Experience in presenting analytical results in concise and effective manner also to non-technical audience.
•    Knowledge of current political economic conditions in developing countries, and ability to analyse the policy context at country level building on political economy tools.
•    Capacity to lead and facilitate high-level policy dialogues and workshops and interacting with government officials on key policy issues affecting agriculture and food security, would be considered as an asset.
•    Experience with softwares used for statistical analysis (e.g. Stata, R, Python) would be an advantage.
•    Proficiency in French and/or Arabic would be an asset.
•    Advanced university degree in agricultural economics, public policy, development studies, political science or related fields would be an asset.

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