WFP seeks candidates of the highest integrity and professionalism who share our humanitarian principles

Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis, and we are committed to promoting diversity and gender balance

Job Title: Economist

Type of Contract: Regular Consultant

Division: RAM Research, Assessment and Monitoring - Economic and Market Analysis Unit (RAMAE)

Duty Station (City, Country): Rome (with possibility to make home-based)

Duration: May 2021 – Dec 2021 (8 months)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

The Research, Assessment and Monitoring (RAM) Division, Economic and Market Analysis Unit, is seeking to fill an Economist position, who will be based at the Headquarters of the United Nations World Food Programme in Rome, Italy.

The RAM Division in WFP HQ leads WFP’s food security analysis, supporting a large network of analysts in regional bureaux and country offices. Food security analysis is a cornerstone of the organization’s work. It provides WFP, governments and partners with the essential information to identify populations in need and target the most appropriate type and scale of interventions, as well as the necessary knowledge to inform policy decisions and advocacy efforts. Analyses spans emergency assessments, in-depth household surveys, spatial analysis, early warning information, economic and market trends analyses and food security monitoring.

Researching and analysing global and local economic environments, market data and their influence on food security is a critical part of the RAM work. The Economic and Market Analysis Unit (RAMAE) carries out such analysis. In particular, the Unit supports country-level market assessments and develops novel market methodologies, such as the Market Functionality Index, to underpin these assessments and inform WFP operations; maintains a global food price database and undertakes price analysis and publishes global market monitor briefs; supports analysis of essential needs and the development of minimum expenditure baskets and household expenditure gap analysis to inform programme design in particular for cash-based interventions; uses modeling techniques to predict the impact of various types of shocks on food security and how assistance can counteract the effects; as well as undertakes a range of on-demand research work, such as the impact of COVID-19 on global food insecurity, or country-level analysis of macro-economic policies such as food price subsidies, trade restrictions or currency devaluations and their effects on food security, as well as monitoring of global economic trends.

RAMAE is recruiting an economist who will contribute to the work of the Unit in general, and in particular conduct global market and economic trends monitoring as well as carry out applied economic research.

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under the supervision of the Team leader, the Economist will have the following responsibilities:

• Support global market monitoring and survey global economic trends of relevance to food security;
• Carry out country-level and regional economic and market analysis on an on-demand basis;
• Write economic briefs in collaboration with the Unit;
• Carry out analysis to develop minimum expenditure baskets and perform household gap analysis;
• Contribute to the development and refinement of methodologies, tools and guidelines for market and economic analysis, including topics such as affordability and household gap analysis;
• Actively contribute the Unit’s workstreams as required;
• Collaborate with other WFP HQ Divisions on economic analysis where relevant;
• Perform any other duties and responsibilities of the Economic and Markets Unit and RAM as assigned.

DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT:

1. Minimum expenditure baskets and/or gap analysis developed for at least two country offices
2. Analytical pieces and briefs completed and shared with relevant audience inside and outside WFP.
3. Global market monitoring and trends surveillance performed on a monthly basis.
4. Contributions made to methodologies, tools and guidelines.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Education:

Advanced university degree in economics, statistics, agricultural economics or similar relevant discipline; coursework/trainings in econometrics, evaluation methods, applied economics, development economics, household economics or other relevant topics.

Experience:

At least four years post-graduate, progressively responsible, experience in economic and/or food security analysis. Strong quantitative skills, including hands-on experience in one or several of the following areas: working with macro-economic data, food commodity market analysis, price time series. Experience analysing household survey data. Experience working in a team, involving people of different nationalities and/or cultures; working well with minimum level of supervision.

Knowledge and skills:

• Proficiency in at least one statistical program package is required (Stata, R), knowledge of Python, MatLab, GAMS an asset; Windows, MS Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook)
• Excellent analytical skills;
• Strong writing skills with a demonstrated ability to research and draft clear, concise analysis briefs;
• Attention to detail;
• Problem-solving attitude and creativity;
• Ability to work both with minimal supervision and as part of a team;

Competencies: Cognitive Capacity, Teamwork, Action Management, Innovation, Partnering, Client Orientation, Advisory Skills, Facilitation and Training.

Language:

Fluent written and spoken English; working knowledge of French, Arabic or Spanish is an advantage.

Terms and Conditions

WFP offers a competitive compensation package which will be determined by the contract type and selected candidate’s qualifications and experience.

Please visit the following websites for detailed information on working with WFP.

http://www.wfp.org Click on: “Our work” and “Countries” to learn more about WFP’s operations.

Deadline for applications: 26 Aprile 2020

Ref.: VA No. 141837

Qualified female applicants and qualified applicants from developing countries are especially encouraged to apply

WFP has zero tolerance for discrimination and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status

No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.