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.
Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree 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.