Young Professional Officer (Agricultural and Rural Economics)

Overview

Support economic and policy analysis in agricultural and rural sectors.

You have:

• Advanced university degree in economics, agricultural economics, agricultural sciences, international development, development economics, rural sociology, food security, territorial development or related field.
• One year of relevant experience in analyzing agricultural or rural development trends and policies in developing and emerging economies of Latin America and the Caribbean.
• Working knowledge (proficient - level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate – level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

The Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (RLC) is responsible for leading FAO's response to regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development through the identification, planning and implementation of FAO's priority activities in the region. It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, identifies priority areas of action for the Organization in the region and, in collaboration with offices and divisions at headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO's strategic response to regional priorities. FAO RLC also advises on the incorporation of regional priorities into the Organization's Programme of Work and Budget and implements approved programmes and projects in the region, monitors the level of programme implementation and draws attention to problems and deficiencies. FAO RLC develops and maintains relations with region-wide institutions including the Regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs).

The Regional Office supports regional policy dialogue on food security, agriculture and rural development issues, facilitates the emergence of regional partnerships, and supports capacity development and resource mobilization for food security, agriculture and rural development in the region.

The post is located in the Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (RLC) in Santiago, Chile.

Reporting Lines

The Young Professional Officer (Agricultural and Rural Economics) reports to the Policy Officer/Regional Coordinator of Regional Intiative 2 (RI2).

Technical Focus

Social, economic and policy analysis support enabling Members to develop, adopt and assess strategies, policies and programmes, technological innovation, and digitalization that helps achieve better production and better lives in Latin America and the Caribbean. Specific areas of interest include, inter alia, agricultural economics, rural economics, rural livelihoods, and other relevant social and agriculture statistics. The Young Professional Officer will critically incorporate these areas of socioeconomic analysis into the support, advocacy and effective policy dialogue of high impact, realistic, and innovative regional, national and territorial strategies towards inclusive agri-food systems in the region.

Key Results

Research and analysis of information, data and statistics, methodologies, and policies to support the delivery of programme products, projects, publications, and services.

Key Functions

• Analyses relevant technical social, economic, environmental, and technology information, data and/or statistics for input in various documents;
• Maintains records and updates databases and web pages;
• Provides technical support to various projects;
• Collaborates in the development of training tools and materials and the Organization of workshops/seminars etc.;
• Participates in the Organization and follow-up meetings, consultations and conferences, the production of required materials and the provision of information and assistance to partners.

Specific Functions

• Assists in developing policy and socioeconomic analyses on agricultural productivity, rural employment, rural poverty, technological innovation and digitalization through primary and secondary sources of information;
• Supports in systematic reviews, meta-analyses and meta-evaluations on the achievements and challenges of selected rural development policies in Latin America and the Caribbean;
• Produces bespoke technical policy contents to support capacity development, publications and official documents, the design and implementation of technical cooperation projects, consultations and conferences, and internal strategic analyses;
• Participates in the organization and technical follow-up of meetings, work plans and corporative reporting;
• Assists the RI2 team in the maintenance of productive and efficient working relations with FAO's National and Subregional Offices, and regional and national development partners as required;
• Performs other duties as required.

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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in economics, agricultural economics, agricultural sciences, international development, development economics, rural sociology, food security, territorial development or related field.
• One year of relevant experience in analyzing agricultural or rural development trends and policies in developing and emerging economies of Latin America and the Caribbean.
• 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

• Extent and relevance of experience in Latin American and Caribbean agricultural or rural development.
• Ability to write clearly and concisely, edit technical papers, present visual and graphic technical contents, and deliver effective oral presentations.
• Advanced use of statistical analysis software (e.g., Stata, R) and efficient management of datasets is a strong asset.
• Extent and relevance of experience in critical policy analysis and engagement in policy dialogue with governments, and/or academia, civil society, private sector, and development partners within the international cooperation.
• Extent and relevance of experience in creatively and efficiently overcoming data availability restrictions through methods that address complex policy and research issues.
• Working knowledge (proficient - level C) of Spanish and/or French is considered an asset.

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NB Please note that candidates should be 32 years of age or younger as of 31 December of the year of application.

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Potential interview questions

Added 3 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: fao.org