Economist (Food Security Early Warning)

Organizational Setting 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. 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) 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/Team Leader of GIEWS/EST, under the overall guidance of the Director, EST.

Technical Focus The Economist (Food Security Early Warning) supports the work of the Markets and Trade Division (EST) and the corporate programme of work under the FAO Strategic Framework. The Economist (Food Security Early Warning) is responsible for planning and preparing analytical appraisals of current and prospective food security situations in assigned regions and countries, including 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 Corporate Strategy and divisional plans, in collaboration with the Resource Mobilization and Private Sector Partnership 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/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 and crop production monitoring and assessments and the development of new methodologies based on emerging tools including machine learning and artificial intelligence. • Develops and actively contributes to partnerships with other FAO divisions, international organizations, and regional and national institutions working in the field of early warning. • 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 and needs 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 field offices, as well as national and international institutions and other stakeholders. • Provides technical support to capacity development projects in the areas of early warning information systems and other market and food security analysis, in the assigned countries or regions. • Prepares briefs, notes, speaking points and presentations for senior management. • Participates in relevant meetings, conferences and in media interviews related to the GIEWS mandate. • Develops project proposals for extra-budgetary resource mobilization. • Performs other related duties, as required.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________ CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements • Advanced university degree in economics, agricultural economics, or a related field. • Seven years of relevant experience in economic analysis and food security monitoring/assessment in developing countries. • 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. • Extent and relevance of experience in monitoring, analysis and assessment of food security at regional and country levels for early warning. • Extent and relevance of 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 establishing collaborative arrangements with national and international organizations in relation to early warning for food security. • Depth of familiarity with relevant information systems on food and agriculture and methods of monitoring food security. • Ability to use/interpret satellite-based data for crop monitoring and yield forecasting is desirable. • Experience in new methods and tools for early warning. • Demonstrated ability to write clearly and concisely and to work under strict deadlines. • Demonstrated ability and experience in resource mobilization.