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. EST is also responsible for the production of FAO flagship publication The State of Agricultural Commodity Markets (SOCO) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development – FAO (OECD-FAO) Agricultural Outlook. 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 Office of Director, Markets and Trade (EST) Division at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines

The Economist (Data Analyst) reports to the Deputy Director, under the overall guidance of the EST Director.

Technical Focus

The Economist (Data Analyst) will provide data, indicators and quantitative analyses on topics related to agricultural markets and trade.

Key Results

Research and analysis of information, data and statistics, and the maintenance and updating of related tools, methodologies, and/or databases to support the delivery of programme products, projects, publications, and services.

Key Functions

• Researches and analyses [agricultural, economic, trade, market, social, environmental, nutrition/food composition and/or gender related] data, statistics and information to provide technical, statistical and/or policy related information and analysis to support the delivery of economic and social development programmes work, products, projects, publications and services.
• Produces a variety of technical reports and input for technical documents, Divisional publications and/or web pages.
• Provides technical, statistical, and/or analytical services on various studies, projects, and/or assessments and provides technical backstopping to field projects.
• Participates in the development of improved/updated technical, statistical and/or analytical tools, methodologies, systems, databases, and/or key social/ economic/ environmental/ nutritional and/or early warning indicators, etc.
• Participates in multi-disciplinary teams, collaborates with other departments and agencies on work groups and committees and promotes best practices.
• Collaborates in capacity development activities involving the planning and organizing of training workshops, seminars, and major meetings and the preparation of related information, materials, on-line tools and information kits.
• Promotes knowledge sharing and best practices at international meetings and conferences and influences partners in stakeholder consultations.
• Participates in resource mobilization activities.

Specific Functions

• Performs quantitative analysis in support of studies, reports and other knowledge products in the area of agricultural markets, policies and trade.
• Maintains and keeps up-to-date various databases on commodity balances, prices, and trade.
• Provides support to the maintenance and update of the Divisional Data Dashboard, including with the use of state-of-art technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning tools
• Provides technical and organizational support in response to country requests.
• Maintains and improves Food Import Bill calculations.
• Develops and delivers training courses and identifies future capacity development needs.
• Organizes workshops and seminars in collaboration with local and international partners.
• Undertakes literature reviews and produces information and knowledge products in the area of trade (technical notes, policy briefs, papers, etc.).
• Performs other duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in economics, agricultural economics or a related field.
• Five years of relevant experience in economic analysis and quantitative analysis, including experience in international agricultural commodity markets and trade, economic modelling and database management.
• Working knowledge (proficiency- level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency – 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 is desirable.
• Extent and relevance experience in advanced economic research and analysis, including the use of statistical and econometrics methods and relevant software.
• Demonstrated experience in economic and quantitative analysis, policy analysis and policy advice to countries.
• Proven strong experience in database development and management.
• Extent of knowledge of the problems of developing countries and in the formulation, monitoring and evaluation of commodity development projects.
• Proven excellent communication skills, both verbal and writing.
• Ability to mobilize extra-budgetary resources.
• Ability and capacity to work under strict deadlines.