Senior Economist - Rome, Latium

Organizational Setting · The Agrifood Economics and Policy 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 analyzing food and agricultural ...

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Organizational Setting
The Agrifood Economics and Policy 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 analyzing 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). It also leads the technical work on the Roadmap to Achieve SDG2 without breaching the 1.5C threshold. It hosts the Technical Network on Poverty Analysis (THINK-PA) poverty analytical network.

The post of Senior Economist is located in the Policy Unit of ESA.

Reporting Lines
The Senior Economist reports to the Director of the Agrifood Economics and Policy Division.

Technical Focus
This position will lead a programme of work on policy monitoring, design and evaluation relevant to sustainable of agrifood systems with a focus on food security, nutrition and environmental issues. The work will utilize quantitative economic analysis to provide evidence-based support to sustainable agrifood policies and programmes including policy assistance at country level. The programme of work is predicated on strategic partnerships with development agencies, donors and national governments.

Key Results
Leadership and conceptual thinking for the development and implementation of comprehensive technical, statistical and/or analytical frameworks to support the programme of work and related products, projects and services in accordance with the FAO Strategic Framework.

Key Functions

• Manages or leads highly specialized or multidisciplinary teams and provides technical leadership in high-level policy analysis missions or projects, policy networks and/or international policy setting bodies.
• Leads the work carried out by technical or policy officers in the Regional Office in collaboration with colleagues from Subregional Offices and headquarters in relation to policy and governance work under the FAO Strategic Framework.
• Advocates strategic partnerships, best practices and policy dialogue in support of enhanced policies and governance for food security and nutrition, sustainable agriculture and food systems.
• Interacts with UN Regional and Country Teams to improve cross-sectoral policies and strategies concerning agriculture, food security, nutrition and sustainable development.
• Engages with development partners, including international financial institutions, to advocate and strengthen the linkages between knowledge and policy work with investments in food security and nutrition, sustainable agriculture and food systems.
• Analyses regional and country-level issues to provide input into the identification of country and regional priorities and requirements.
• Designs, implements and monitors regional and subregional policy work programmes and the supporting budgets and/or resourcing strategies.
• Plans, organizes and participates in capacity development activities involving the provision of technical advice and assistance, and oversees the development of related materials, on-line tools and information kits.
• Represents the Organization at international/inter-governmental meetings and conferences.

Specific Functions

• Leads and contributes to the preparation of studies, reports, briefs, statements and other knowledge products on policy measurement, monitoring and impacts.
• Designs and implements analytical framework to assess the impact of policies (ex-ante, or ex-post) on food security, nutrition and environmental outcomes.
• Designs and implement analytical framework to assess the impact of policies (ex-ante, or ex-post) on consumers and producers incentives, choices and behaviors, with a focus on adoption practices.
• Develops innovative approaches to link micro and macro analysis to capture the structural changes of policies.
• Mentors staff members on the use and design of state-of-the art microeconomic techniques.
• Interacts with UN Regional and Country Teams to improve cross-sectoral policies and strategies concerning agriculture, food security, nutrition and sustainable development.

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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.
• Ten years of relevant experience in quantitative economic analysis of policies, at the macroeconomic and/or microeconomic level.
• 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
• Leading, Engaging and Empowering
• Communication
• Partnering and Advocating
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
• Strategic Thinking

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions, is essential.
• Understanding of complex strategy and policy processes.
• Extent and relevance of experience in or knowledge of food security policies and institutions.
• Extent and relevance of experience in policy analysis and advise relating to food security and nutrition, sustainable agriculture and rural development, and adoption of new technologies or practices.
• Extent and relevance of experience in planning and implementation of research programs in low- and middle-income countries.
• Extent and relevance of knowledge and experience in working with inter-governmental bodies and multidisciplinary teams.

Job Posting
20/Feb/2026

Closure Date
14/Mar/2026, 11:59:00 PM

Organizational Unit
ESA

Job Type
Staff position

Type of Requisition
Professional

Grade Level
P-5

Primary Location
Italy-Rome

Duration
Fixed-term: two years with possibility of extension

Post Number
1006401

CCOG Code
1L09

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device

The length of appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to the extension of appointments.
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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 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.

FAO's commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.
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.