Job Opportunity in Italy as an Economist (Medium-Term Outlook) at FAO

FAO offers a job opportunity as an Economist (Medium-Term Outlook). The post is located in FAO Headquarters in Rome, in the Medium-term Outlook and market analysis team, markets and trade division. The team undertakes a forward-looking quantitative economic analysis of agricultural commodity markets, policies, and emerging issues and is responsible for the preparation and publication of the OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook in partnership with OECD and other national and international collaborators. You will report to the senior economist, Medium-term Outlook and market analysis team, markets and trade division. 

Eligibility:

You must have:

• Advanced university degree in economics, agricultural economics, or a closely related field.
• Seven years of relevant experience in the quantitative economic analysis of agricultural markets, trade and policies, economic modeling, and projections.
• Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).
• The required competencies for this job:

1. Results focus. 
2. Teamwork skills.
3. Communication skills.
4. Building effective relationships.
5. Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement.

• The required technical/functional skills:

1. Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is desirable.
2. Proven strong knowledge of, and experience in, economic modeling.
3. Extent and relevance of experience in the forward-looking economic analysis of food and agricultural commodity markets and agricultural policies with economic projections models.
4. Demonstrated ability to undertake a quantitative economic analysis of production, consumption, stocks, trade, and prices of agricultural commodities and to prepare analytical reports explaining the results and their implications.
5. Extent and relevant of experience in database management.
6. Depth of familiarity with relevant economic modeling and simulation tools and software.
7. Ability to mobilize extra-budgetary resources.
8. The extension of fixed-term appointments is based on certification of performance and availability of funds.

Your Responsibilities:

You will be responsible for:

• 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 program of work and related products, projects, publications, and services.
• Plans and leads components of multi-disciplinary teams and short-term workgroups, leads and/or participates on divisional teams, participate on 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 programs 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, sub-regional, 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 corporate strategy and divisional plans, in collaboration with business development and Resource Mobilization Division (PSR).
• Coordinates/participates in the operation, maintenance, and development of EST's commodity simulation modeling system (Cosimo), including the underlying database and post-simulation analysis tools.
• Supports the production and publication process of the annual OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook report, from planning to the publication of the report and follow-up actions.
• Prepares and contributes to the preparation of reports, papers, notes, briefs, and statements for senior management related to medium-term commodity market outlook, policy developments, and emerging issues.
• Coordinates and provides input to collaborative work, including the preparation of joint reports and publications, in the area of commodity markets, agricultural trade, and related issues.
• Delivers capacity development on medium-term baseline projections, policy analysis, and model simulations.
• Develops proposals, and contributes to the preparation of proposals, for extra-budgetary fundraising.
• Represents the division and FAO in meetings, conferences, and events, as appropriate.
• Develops and maintains collaboration and partnerships with internal and external partners.
• Performs other tasks and duties as required.

Benefits:

If you are accepted at this opportunity, you will have:

• A competitive compensation and benefits package. For information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, click here. 
• 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.

About the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO):

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Its goal is to achieve food security for all and make sure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active healthy lives. With over 194 member states, FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide. It believes that everyone can play a part in ending hunger.

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