Economist

Organizational Setting The FAO Investment Centre (CFI) provides investment and finance solutions that lead to more efficient, sustainable, inclusive and resilient agrifood systems. Working in over 120 countries, the Centre provides a full suite of investment and finance support to FAO Members. It partners with governments, international and national financing institutions, the private sector and farmers, research institutions and academia 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, learn and build capacities at country level. For additional information on the FAO Investment Centre, its activities, partners and the organizational structure please visit the following link.

The post is located in the Latin America and the Caribbean Service (CFIF) of the FAO Investment Centre (CFI) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines The Economist reports to the Chief, Latin America and the Caribbean Service (CFIF).

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 support to 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, and eventually leads multidisciplinary teams to assist governments in the identification and preparation of investment and finance support initiatives in the fields of food security, agriculture, rural development, natural resource management and agro-processing, and participates in pre-appraisal and appraisal mission. • Participates in, and eventually leads multidisciplinary teams for the implementation support and the preparation of final evaluation of investment operations. • Provides technical expertise for the preparation of food and 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, and civil society organizations and government. • Formulates and delivers capacity development initiatives in the areas of food and 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. • Provides support in task organization, selection of consultants, preparation of terms of reference and in ensuring the quality of outputs. • Promotes international cooperation and collaboration leading to new investment opportunities and cooperative agreements, advocates best practices and effective policy dialogue and provides technical expertise at international meetings. • Participates in resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Corporate Strategy. • Provides guidance and advice to junior staff.

Specific Functions • Contributes to the design of investment operations, such as the development of the project logical/results framework, the monitoring and evaluation system, and the costing of investment operations. • Assesses the feasibility and viability of investment proposals through studying market prospects, prices, costs and risks, and carrying out financial and economic analysis. • Assesses 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. • Analyses selected agricultural sub sectors and value chains, with high level of interaction with all relevant stakeholders. • Assesses constraints and opportunities for investment at all levels of selected value chains, in relation to the functionality of markets and market institutions, existence and performance of support services, trade policies, risk management systems, as well as food safety standards adoption and control systems, when applicable. • Identifies and analyses agricultural investment-related policy issues and provides agri-business related options. • Engages with value chains players, including Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), agribusiness companies, agro-industry associations, and farmers' organizations, with a view to strengthen and validate recommended investment and policy options. • Contributes to the development of knowledge products, including analytical work and practical tools, related to agribusiness, marketing and value chain development.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________ 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. • Seven years of relevant experience in the practical application of economic analysis to development issues, value chain analysis and development, agribusiness and market development, 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 limited knowledge (intermediate – level B) of 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. • Extent and relevance of experience in food security, agriculture, rural development, natural resource management and agro-processing analytical studies, feasibility studies and programme evaluation, value chain analysis, agribusiness development and/or in participating in public-private policy dialogue to promote investment. • 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 and value chain analysis. • 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 other partner International Financial Institutions (IFIs). • Depth of understanding of trends, challenges and opportunities in agricultural investments and agrifood systems in Latin America and the Caribbean region. • Relevance of experience in capacity development for the design and implementation of food security, agriculture, rural development, natural resource management and agro-processing investments. • Demonstrated experience in dealing with government officials, development partners and other country stakeholders. • Demonstrated capacity to write technical reports in English. • Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of Spanish would be an asset.