Technical Specialist (SCOPE)

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 FAOs 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.

As part of the SCOPE technical assistance is required to improve data and conduct economic scenario analyses. These analyses aim to support proposals for implementing appropriate policy instruments defining their optimal mix of and develop investment recommendations tailored to specific contexts. The quantitative assessment will ultimately support countries in selecting the most appropriate pathways to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Reporting Lines

The technical specialist reports to the Director of Technical Units at FAO Headquarters under the overall guidance of the relevant Regional Programme Leaders (RPL).

Technical Focus

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the HQ Director the global senior coordinator of the initiative and the relevant Regional Program Leader (RPL) he/she will support the FAO regional office and the country offices by coordinating technical support on macroeconomic modelling and forecasting as part of the CCA/UNSDCF analytical support particular FAO is looking for experts in one or several of the following areas of expertise:

Proven experience in agrifood systems policy analysis and advocacy at national and regional levels.
Expertise in modeling and quantitative foresight analyses of agrifood systems multidimensional sustainability.
Strong background in applied statistics econometrics data science and use of big and geospatial data for policy support.
Proficient in numerical computing and modeling tools including Python Stata R and GAMS.
Experience with qualitative data research using AI-assisted tools.
Demonstrated ability to prepare clear evidence-based technical and analytical documentation.

Tasks and responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of FAO technical divisions the Senior Global Coordinator of SCOPE and Regional Offices the candidate will contribute to strengthening FAOs analytical capacity to support agrifood systems transformation within the UN programming framework. The following tasks will be performed:

Contribute to the preparation of country situation analyses and analytical deep-dives that inform FAOs inputs to the Common Country Analysis (CCA) and the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) as well as National Action Plans and Pathways on Agrifood System Transformation providing advisory support to country offices on strategic and policy implications.
Identify support needs and capacity gaps of country offices related to analytical work on CCA and UNSDCF proposing coordinated solutions and guidance in collaboration with regional teams.
Analyse structural and emerging challenges affecting agrifood systems including economic social and environmental dimensions in the context of the 2030 Agenda and FAOs Four Betters framework (Better Production Better Nutrition Better Environment Better Life) providing consultative recommendations for policy and programmatic decisions.
Conduct analytical work leveraging quantitative qualitative and geospatial data FAO tools and methodologies to assess the state dynamics and policy context of agrifood systems at national and regional levels contributing to integrated diagnostics and policy analyses that identify entry points for transformative change evaluate trade-offs and synergies across objectives and sectors and propose evidence-based options for policy dialogue investment prioritization and FAOs strategic engagement with governments and UN partners.
Identify and retrieve relevant data sources at national level (macro meso or micro) ensuring quality control validation and harmonization across domains; contribute to the State of Agrifood Systems Data Platform and to the development of metadata data visualizations and statistical summaries to support CCA and UNSDCF analyses and FAOs broader data agenda advising teams on analytical methodologies and innovations.
Support the use adaptation and further development of modelling forecasting or data-driven analytical tools to assess macroeconomic sectoral and micro-level implications of agrifood systems transformation including impacts on income employment inequality and sustainability providing specialized technical expertise.
Provide technical backstopping to FAO Country Offices in organizing analysing and interpreting data and evidence for their CCA contributions strengthening their capacity to integrate agrifood systems perspectives into national-level strategies.
Work in a team with FAOs policy data economic and nutrition experts (micro- and macroeconomists statisticians policy analysts) to develop integrated analytical approaches and ensure coherence across levels and disciplines liaising extensively across divisions to ensure harmonized approaches.
Perform other related duties as required including temporary high-priority assignments where FAO requires specialized advisory or technical input in line with the objectives of the Analytical Support Mechanism.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

Advanced university degree (MS or equivalent PhD is desirable) in economics agricultural economics international trade environmental sciences public policy data sciences or related fields
Relevant experience in policy and economic analysis of food and agricultural issues using economy-wide modelling in particular computable general equilibrium (CGE):
Category B - at least 5 years of relevant experience
Category A - at least 10 years of relevant experience
Working knowledge (level C) of English

FAO Core Competencies

Results Focus
Teamwork
Communication
Building Effective Relationships
Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

The candidate will be assessed against one or several of the below skills:

Work experience in more than one location or area of work
Policy expertise and leadership on agrifood system transformation: Well-acquainted with FAOs work as an Organization; strong record in communication facilitation senior management and policy advocacy; demonstrated ability to translate analytical work into actionable policy advice and engage effectively with governments UN counterparts and other stakeholders.
Macroeconomic microeconometric and modeling skills: Extensive experience in undertaking macro- and micro-level analyses of agrifood systems using benchmarked quantitative and modeling approaches including FAOs specialized tools and socioeconomic methodologies in partial and general equilibrium; proficiency in scenario analysis forecasting and the use of AI and machine learning for data-driven assessments.
Statistical and data competencies: Strong command of statistical methods including descriptive and inferential statistics hypothesis testing regression analysis ANOVA chi-square tests and maximum likelihood estimation; practical experience in survey design sampling and data validation; proficient in R Python GAMS STATA SPSS and related software.
Geospatial and data management skills: Proven ability to integrate geospatial analysis and data visualization into agrifood systems assessments; experience in managing compiling validating analysing and disseminating statistical and geospatial data through digital platforms and metadata systems.
Substantive knowledge of agrifood systems: Broad understanding of the social economic and political dimensions of agrifood systems sustainable agriculture rural development and food security in the region; sound technical and political judgment and ability to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary and decentralized teams.
Analytical and communication capacity: Excellent analytical and writing skills with demonstrated experience drafting high-quality technical reports and publications in English; proficiency in an additional UN language is a strong asset.

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 These qualifications should be in alignment with the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) mappings.

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
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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.

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• 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 person 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 FAOs 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
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FAOs commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency