Economist (Climate Change and Agriculture), Rome, Italy
Organization: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
Country: Italy
City: Rome
Office: FAO Rome
Closing date: Wednesday, 8 February 2023
2202078
Economist (Climate Change and Agriculture)
Job Posting: 25/Jan/2023
Closure Date: 08/Feb/2023, 10:59:00 PM
Organizational Unit : ESA
Job Type: Staff position
Type of Requisition : Professional
Grade Level : P-4
Primary Location: Italy-Rome
Duration : Fixed-term: 2 years with possibility of extension
Post Number : 0448001
CCOG Code : 1L09
FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply
Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO’s values
FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination
All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through FAO Strategic Framework by supporting 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.
This is a reopening of the Vacancy Announcement. Candidates who have already applied do not need to re-apply again.
Organizational Setting The Agrifood Economics Division (ESA) conducts economic research and policy analysis and provides evidence-based support to national, regional and global policy processes and initiatives related to monitoring and analysing food and agricultural policies, agribusiness and value chain development, rural transformation and poverty, food security and nutrition information and analysis, resilience, bioeconomy and climate-smart agriculture. The Division also leads the production of two FAO flagship publications: The State of Food and Agriculture (SOFA) and The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI).
The Economic and Policy Analysis of Climate Change (EPIC) Team within ESA supports economic and social policy reform and climate-smart investments for early action and adaptation and mitigation to increase resilience to climate change, by identifying economic and social effects of climate change and stressors for agricultural development and food security, and providing evidence on the business case for actors and governments to invest and adopt new technologies.
The post is located in the EPIC Team, ESA, at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.
Reporting Lines The Economist (Climate Change and Agriculture) reports to the Senior Economist (Climate Change and Agriculture), EPIC Team Leader, ESA.
Technical Focus Support, in close collaboration with other relevant technical units, a programme of work on the economic and policy analysis of sustainable agriculture and agrifood systems, with a focus on climate change and food security and nutrition. The work will utilize quantitative tools albeit not exclusively to generate evidence that can guide: (i) governments in the process of creating an enabling environment for sustainable, nutrition-sensitive and climate friendly agriculture and agrifood systems; and (ii) actors of these systems, farmers in particular, in understanding the business case of adopting practices and investments for climate adaptation and/or mitigation.
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 multi-disciplinary teams and short-term work groups, leads and/or participates in Divisional teams, participates in 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 as well as 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 in the development of related materials, on-line tools and information kits.
Participates in resource mobilization activities in accordance with the Corporate Strategy and Divisional plans.
Specific Functions
Supports the strengthening of the Divisional work stream that focuses on the economics of climate change adaptation and mitigation in agrifood systems.
Oversees economic and quantitative analysis of issues related to agricultural development, climate change and climate variability, and food security and nutrition, that shed light for informing policy making.
Contributes to the programme of work in quantitative policy analysis by developing analytical and policy tools and applying them to analyse agricultural and rural development policies and beyond.
Leads and contributes to knowledge products that enhance the evidence based knowledge of issues related to climate change and climate resilient agricultural practices and the business case for their adoption, and the implications of climate change on rural livelihoods and poverty, such as analytical reports, peer-reviewed publications, policy briefs, working papers, country reports and peer-reviewed papers.
Liaises with policy makers and conducts capacity building activities and policy advice in developing countries.
Supervises and coaches junior researchers and consultants working in the Team.
Liaises with other relevant technical units in FAO working on climate change, agriculture and agrifood system development, social protection, trade and markets, resilience and food security, including as part of the implementation of relevant programmatic priority areas of the FAO Strategic Framework.
Builds and maintains partnerships with other international institutions, financial and development agencies working on climate change, agriculture and poverty to ensure wider use and dissemination of FAO’s work.
Performs other duties as required. CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
Advanced university degree in economics, agricultural economics, environmental economics or a related field.
Seven years of relevant experience in economic and quantitative analysis of food and agricultural issues, natural resources use, climate change and policy analysis.
Working knowledge (proficient - level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate - level B) of another official FAO 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 economic and policy analysis of sustainability and climate change issues related to food and agriculture at a national or global scale.
Extent and relevance of experience in conducting quantitative economic analysis, economic modeling and applying econometric techniques in the field of climate change, agriculture and sustainable agrifood systems.
Familiarity with impact evaluation techniques is considered a strong asset.
Extent and relevance of experience in ‚‘translating‘ complex results from quantitative analysis into user-friendly communication documents for policy makers.
Ability to mobilize resources.7
FAO staff are expected to adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Extension of fixed term appointments is based on certification of performance and availability of funds
FAO reserves the right not to make an appointment.
Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.
CONDITIONS OF SERVICE
A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, click on the following link: http://www.un.org/Depts/OHRM/salaries allowances/salary.htm Other benefits, subject to eligibility, include:
Dependency allowances
Rental subsidy
Education grant for children
Home leave travel
30 working days of annual leave per year
Pension fund entitlements under the UN Joint Staff Pension Fund
International health insurance; optional life insurance
Disability protection
FAO encourages a positive workplace culture to increase inclusivity and diversity within its workforce. FAO applies measures in which all staff members contribute equally and in full to the work and development of the Organization. This includes:
elements of family-friendly policies
flexible working arrangements
standards of conduct.
HOW TO APPLY
To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/
Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
Incomplete applications will not be considered
Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.
If you need help, or have queries, please contact: Careers@fao.org
Link to the organization’s job posting: https://unjobs.org/vacancies/1674674679446
