Economist

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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.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 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.

Organizational Setting
The Socio-Economic Research and Analysis (SERA) Team in the Rural Transformation and Gender Equality Division (ESP) of the Food and Agriculture Organization supports Member Nations in their ambition to foster inclusive rural transformation processes through the generation and dissemination of rigorous, policy-relevant socio-economic evidence.
The post is located in the Rural Transformation and Gender Equality Division, ESP at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines
The Economist reports to the Senior Economist/Team Leader of the SERA Team in ESP.

Technical Focus
The position supports the implementation of a portfolio of impact evaluations funded by the Flexible Voluntary Mechanism. These impact evaluations seek to provide rigorous evidence on the impacts of FAO projects, with a strong focus on gender inclusivity, climate adaptation and farmer field schools. The Economist will work with country teams and colleagues in the SERA Team to design and implement five impact evaluations, with a geographic focus in Uganda, Kenya, Syria and Zambia. The Economist will summarize the results of these evaluations in work papers, peer reviewed journals and through internal and external workshops and conferences.

Key Results
Research and analysis of information, data and statistics and the maintenance and updating of related tools, methodologies, and/or databases to support the delivery of programme products, projects, publications, and services.

Key Functions
• Researches and analyses (agricultural, economic, trade, market, social, environmental, nutrition/food composition and/or gender related) data, statistics and information to provide technical, statistical and/or policy related information and analysis to support the delivery of economic and social development programmes, products, projects, publications and services.
• Produces a variety of technical reports and input for technical documents, divisional publications and/or web pages.
• Provides technical, statistical, and/or analytical services on various studies, projects and/or assessments and provides technical backstopping to field projects.
• Participates in the development of improved/updated technical, statistical and/or analytical tools, methodologies, systems, databases, and/or key social/ economic/ environmental/ nutritional and/or early warning indicators, etc.
• Participates in multi-disciplinary teams, collaborates with other Divisions/Offices/Centres on work groups and committees and promotes best practices.
• Collaborates in capacity development activities involving the planning and organizing of training workshops, seminars and major meetings and the preparation of related information, materials, on-line tools and information kits.
• Promotes knowledge sharing and best practices at international meetings and conferences and influences partners in stakeholder consultations.
• Participates in resource mobilization activities.

Specific Functions
• Supports the design and implementation of rigorous impact evaluations and/or other relevant methodological approaches to generate evidence to enhance the impact of projects and programmes on the welfare of poor and vulnerable rural people, with a thematic focus on climate change, gender equality and farm field schools.
• Develops harmonized data collection tools and oversees data collection activities.
• Manages the procurement of data collection services.
• Supports technical writing and analysis.
• Fosters strong linkages between evidence generation and national, regional and global policy debates on rural transformation.

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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree in economics, resource/environmental economics, development economics, agricultural economics, economic geography or a related field.
• Five years of relevant experience in quantitative socio-economic analysis, ideally with a demonstrated work related to the thematic and policy focal areas of the Team.
• Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate – 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
• Extent and relevance of experience and knowledge in conducting and disseminating socio-economic research and analysis, with a focus on rural spaces.
• Depth of familiarity with policy debates and policy processes related to rural transformation and poverty reduction.
• Depth of experience using software packages to conduct statistical and spatial analysis.
• Experience implementing and designing data collection exercises, including for impact evaluations.
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate partnerships and coalitions, including with governments, development partners, civil society organizations and the private sector.
• Demonstrated ability to advocate and communicate effectively on rural policy and governance issues, including in wider contexts of climate change and agrifood systems, and work in a team environment.