Microeconomist CCA/UNSDCF

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that focuses on 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.

FAO is actively engaging in UN country level repositioning for SDG achievement, participating in the negotiation and formulation, as well as in the annual updates, of Common Country Assessments (CCA) and United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks (UNSDCF). In this context, the Organization, under the technical leadership of the Economic and Social Development stream and in close coordination with other headquarters technical units and regional offices, is implementing a mechanism for scaling up the needed human resource analytical and technical expertise in support of the CCA/UNSDCF process at country level. The mechanism will leverage ongoing processes and initiatives already identified within the Organization and draw upon the most sophisticated tools available, including advanced geo-spatial modeling and analytics. The effort will draw upon FAO’s specialized tools and analytical methodologies, including sectoral, to propose specific solutions tailored to the country needs and potentials, to ensure a robust UNSDCF Theory of Change that positions FAO as the premier agrifood systems player in the UN system.

As part of the CCA/UNSDCF analytical support mechanism it is identified that technical support is needed for to provide evidences and to deliver economic diagnostics and analysis aimed to support proposals for policy support, dialogue and investment recommendations. For this, a microeconomist is needed as part of this support mechanism.

Reporting Lines

The microeconomist reports to the Regional Programme Leader (RPL) ) at the FAO Regional Office for Near East and North Africa (RNE) and the Director of the Agrifood Economics Division (ESA Director) at FAO Headquarters.

Technical Focus

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the RPL, ESA Director and the global senior coordinator of the initiative, he/she will support the FAO regional office and the country offices by coordinating technical support on economic assessment as part of the CCA/UNSDCF analytical support mechanism.

Tasks and responsibilities

• As an input into the CCA and UNSDCF process and in coordination with the Agrifood Economics Division of FAO, leverage existing FAO tools and methodologies to (i) review existing typologies and develop new ones, when relevant, for various actors (households, farms, enterprises, consumers) in country agrifood systems, (ii) identify opportunities and challenges faced by specific value chains and/or vulnerable groups linked to these value chains, (iii) review evidence generated from rigorous methods regarding past interventions and investments, and (iv) guide prioritization and targeting of investments and interventions within the agrifood systems to support the FSS national pathways for food systems transformation;

• Work jointly with the data specialist and the policy analyst of the regional support mechanism, ESA experts and other units as needed to develop integrated analytical approach and identify key policy actions;

• Provide guidance on developing an impact assessment strategy for recommended actions by the CCA and the UNSDCF;

• Provide technical backstopping on microeconomic aspects of agrifood systems to FAO country representatives that are participating in CCA and UNSDCF processes ;

• Provide support to FAO Country Offices in their efforts to collect, organize and analyse data contained in the CCA, in order to position the Organization as a focal point in the field of agrifood systems transformation within the UN system;

• Provide support to FAO country offices in the identification of critical points, technical elements, and data, including potential gaps, related to FAO's competencies in CCAs that are key for developing UNSDCFs;

• Identify support requirements for country offices in terms of CCA and UNSDCF and propose solutions in coordination with RPL;

• Other tasks assigned by the immediate supervisor, according to the contractual objectives.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree (PhD, MS or equivalent) in economics, agricultural economics, development economics or a related field;

• At least five years of relevant experience in the Near East and North Africa the analysis of microeconomic and/or GIS data applied to issues relevant to FAO’s mandate with emphasis on food security and nutrition, sustainable agriculture, poverty and rural development;

• Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge (level B) of Arabic as FAO Official languages are required.

FAO Core 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 in undertaking analysis and assessments, using benchmarked approaches of agrifood systems;

• Extent and relevance of experience and knowledge of FAO’s specialized tools and socioeconomic analytical methodologies;

• Relevance of experience and knowledge in micro level data collection and analysis, as well as agrifood supply/value chain analysis;

• Proficiency and flexibility in using statistical and econometric software, especially R, STATA or similar software;

• Experience in using GIS software is recommended;

• Extent and relevance of experience in project implementation of technical assistance projects and training programmes;

• Extent of knowledge about the situation of agrifood systems in the region and local specificities;

• Demonstrated experience in drafting technical reports/documents in English and an additional UN language is considered a strong asset.

Selection Criteria

• Analytical skills and ability to express and synthesize ideas clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, and demonstrated communication skills;

• High-quality communications and analytical skills;