Organizational Setting

The main aim of the FAO Country Offices, which are headed by an FAO Representative, is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner.

FAO Representation office in Armenia is responsible for developing, promoting, overseeing, and implementing agreed strategies for addressing countrywide food, agriculture, and rural development priorities. It develops and maintains relations with the relevant Ministries at country level.

Reporting Lines

The Expert on Socio-Economic Analysis shall operate under the overall responsibility of the Regional Programme Leader, direct supervision of the Senior Policy Officer, in close coordination with other national and international colleagues

Technical Focus 
The incumbent will contribute to the analytical work on modelling of household income from agricultural farming.   This work will support revising the system of social vulnerability assessment of the rural households and shifting to the Hybrid Means Testing (HMT)as a part of the global social protection policy reform implemented by the Government of Armenia.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Provide guidance on international best practices on vulnerability assessment of the rural households, notably in relation to household income calculation from agricultural farming.
•    Provide guidance and backstopping support to the national consultants on developing the mathematical and econometric model for agricultural income calculation accounting on number of characteristics (household, land, crops, produce, etc.).
•    Technically contribute to the review of guidelines for the methodology of agricultural income calculation and vulnerability assessment including literature review
•    Provide guidance in formulation and implementation of the research studies, strategic revision of the main policy documents from the prospective of association between food security, nutrition, social protection and vulnerability assessment.
•    Perform other duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    Advanced university degree (PhD, MS or equivalent) in Economics, Agricultural Economics, Development Economics or a related field.
•    At least 12 years of progressively responsible experience in economic research, econometric modelling and analyses applied to issues with emphasis on food security and nutrition, sustainable agriculture, poverty and rural development.
•    Working knowledge (level C) of English for Consultants and PSAs.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills 

•    Demonstrated understanding of agricultural economy sector of the region
•    Extent and relevance of experience in econometric analysis namely modelling of the income from land cultivation and livestock breeding
•    Good writing skills in English
•    Computer literacy with spreadsheets, databases and electronic programmes is an asset
•     Good oral and written communication skills in English language

Selection Criteria

•    Experience in policy formulation and application of economic principles in development programs.