Economist

Organizational Setting 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. The FAO Investment Centre (CFI) aims to be the go-to place for investment and finance solutions that lead to more efficient, sustainable, inclusive and resilient agrifood systems. Working in over 120 countries, CFI provides a full suite of investment and finance support to FAO members. It partners with governments, international financing institutions, national and international organizations, the private sector, research institutions, academia and producer organizations to improve the quality and quantity of agrifood investment. The Centre's four main areas of work include support to strategic investment planning and policy, public investment, private investment, and innovative finance. These are complemented by the knowledge for investment and capacity development for investment programmes that serve to share knowledge more widely and position the Centre as a trusted voice on investment and finance. CFI is a multidisciplinary Centre comprising the Director's office, which leads on strategy and business development, knowledge management, communication and administration, and five regional services: Asia and the Pacific; Near East and North Africa, and Europe and Central Asia; West and Central Africa; East and Southern Africa; and Latin America and the Caribbean. The post is located in in the Near East and North Africa, and Europe and Central Asia Service, CFIC at the FAO Subregional Office for North Africa in Tunis, Tunisia.

Reporting Lines The Economist reports to the Chief, Near East and North Africa, and Europe and Central Asia Service of the FAO Investment Service (CFI) and works in close collaboration with the Subregional Coordinator for North Africa.

Technical Focus Provide analytical and technical support on economic and financial aspects for the formulation, implementation and evaluation of investment policies, strategies, programmes and projects in food and agriculture, rural development, natural resource management and agro-processing.

Key Results Delivering investment and finance support solutions through the provisions of technical expertise/assistance and capacity development, in collaboration with country stakeholders and cooperating partners, to achieve impact at scale in the transformation of agrifood systems in the scope of the FAO Strategic Framework.

Key Functions • Participates in multidisciplinary teams for the identification and preparation of investment operations in the fields of food security, agriculture, rural development, natural resource management and agro-processing, and participates in pre-appraisal and appraisal missions. • Participates in the preparation of food security, agriculture, rural development, natural resource management and agro-processing studies and strategies, in the formulation of national sector and/or sub-sector investment plans and programmes. • Supports the development of inclusive and sustainable food systems involving producers, their organizations, other private sector actors, civil society organizations and governments. Supports the implementation of investment support operations and the preparation of final evaluation of investment finance solutions. • Contributes to capacity development activities in the areas of food security, agriculture, rural development, natural resource management and agro-processing investment support to government staff, non-state actors and private sector organizations. • Prepares reports in accordance with governments and financing partners' requirements. • Promotes knowledge sharing and best practices at international meetings and conferences, and interacts with international and national partners. • Establishes, promotes and maintains relationships with relevant Strategic Programmes, FAO Technical Units and Decentralized Offices in order to ensure best synergies between investment, policy and innovation work in support to Member Nations. • Supports resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Corporate Strategy.

Specific Functions • Analyses the feasibility and viability of investment proposals through studying market prospects, prices, costs and risks, and carrying out financial and economic analysis. • Provides inputs for the design of investment operations including, for the development of the project logical/results framework, the monitoring and evaluation system, and the costing of investment operations. • Supports the evaluation of the performance of investment projects or programmes during implementation and their impact after completion. • Supports the review of investment implications of food security, agriculture, rural development, natural resource management and agro-processing policies, national plans and programmes including, poverty alleviation, and climate change adaptation and mitigation.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________ CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements • Advanced university degree in economics, agricultural economics, natural resources economics, agribusiness management or a closely related field. • Five years of relevant experience in the practical application of economic analysis to development issues, including analytical studies, and/or in the formulation and implementation of food security, agriculture, rural development, natural resource management and agro-processing investment operations in developing countries and/or countries in transition. • Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English and French.

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. • Extent and relevance of experience in food security, agriculture, rural development, natural resource management and agro-processing analytical studies and programme evaluation. • Extent and relevance of experience in participating in multidisciplinary teams for the preparation of strategies and sector studies as well as formulation, implementation support or evaluation of food security, agriculture, rural development, natural resource management and agro-processing investment operations, with focus on financial and economic aspects. • Extent and relevance of experience in investment design, implementation support and evaluation procedures of FAO's main development partners, in particular the World Bank, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and other partner International Financial Institutions. • Knowledge of the context as well as partners and institutions of the specific subregion would be an asset. • Extent of experience in capacity development for the design and implementation of food security, agriculture, rural development, natural resource management and agro-processing investments. • Demonstrated capacity to write technical reports in English. • Knowledge of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish) is considered an asset.