Organizational Setting
The Inclusive Rural Transformation and Gender Equality Division (ESP) coordinates FAO’s work on various social dimensions including on rural institutions, services, social protection, gender equality, decent rural employment, tenure rights and the right to food. ESP works with member countries and other partners through a rights-based approach, to empower people by enhancing social protection systems and extending their coverage to rural areas, diversifying rural employment opportunities, reducing gender gaps and other social inequalities, strengthening producers’ organizations and improving governance of tenure and the rural poor’s access to natural and productive resources and financial services.
The Socio-Economic Research and Analysis (SERA) team of the Inclusive Rural Transformation and Gender Equality Division (ESP) supports Members in their ambition to foster inclusive rural transformation processes through the generation and dissemination of rigorous, policy-relevant socio-economic evidence.

This position is located in the Inclusive Rural Transformation and Gender Equality Division (ESP) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines
The Economist reports to the Senior Economist (Social Protection)/Team Leader of the SERA team, ESP.

Technical Focus
The position supports the implementation of the strategic research and policy support agenda of the SERA team, which is embedded within the broader strategic framework of FAO. The research agenda is structured around key thematic areas of economic inclusion, just responses to climate change, and gender equality, which are fundamental elements of inclusive rural transformation processes. Underlying these thematic areas, the SERA team focuses on various policy domains, including: social protection, climate change adaptation, addressing market failures faced by small-scale producers, supporting rural labour markets, equitable land administration, and rural institutions. In this context, the position provides intellectual and methodological inputs to identify and implement effective policies and programmes to support inclusive rural transformation based on rigorous evidence.

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, cross-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 on multidisciplinary 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
• Collaborates in the design and implementation of rigorous impact evaluations and/or other relevant methodological approaches to generate evidence to enhance the impacts of projects and programmes on the welfare of poor and vulnerable rural people, with a thematic focus on climate change, gender equality, and/or economic inclusion.
• Develops tools and approaches based on available geo-spatial data and other publicly available data set to generate policy relevant information and guidance tools.
• Provides technical writing and analysis for key divisional knowledge products.
• Fosters strong linkages between evidence generation and national, regional, and global policy debates on rural transformation.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree in economics, resource/environmental economics, development economics, agricultural economics, economic geography or a related field.
• Five years of relevant experience in quantitative socio-economic analysis, ideally with a demonstrated work related to the thematic and policy focal areas of the team.
• 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 and knowledge in conducting and disseminating socio-economic research and analysis, with a focus on rural spaces.
• Depth of familiarity with policy debates and policy processes related to rural transformation and poverty reduction.
• Depth of experience using software packages to conduct statistical and spatial analysis.
• Experience implementing and designing data collection exercises, including for impact evaluations.
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate partnerships and coalitions, including with governments, development partners, civil society organizations and the private sector.
• Demonstrated ability to advocate and communicate effectively on rural policy and governance issues, including in wider contexts of climate change and agrifood systems, and work in a team environment.