Research and Publications Analyst

FAO - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations; United States; Remote; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Part time

Job summary

FAO is seeking a Research and Publications Analyst to support the SOFI report preparation and related data-management activities. The role involves coordinating research, literature synthesis and outreach for SOFI 2026 edition with an eye toward the 2027 analytical framework.

The incumbent will work under SOFI technical leadership to produce evidence-based materials, coordinate with FAO communications and partner agencies, and maintain reproducible data repositories across multiple locations.

Qualifications

• Advanced university degree in international relations, public policy, communication or related fields. Consultants with bachelor’s degree require two additional years of relevant experience.
• At least one year of relevant professional experience in research, evidence synthesis, data analysis, communications or related work relevant to food security and nutrition.
• Working knowledge of English (level C).

Responsibilities

• Conduct systematic and targeted literature reviews relevant to the SOFI 2027 theme and analytical framework.
• Prepare annotated bibliographies, literature summaries and evidence-synthesis notes, and help identify research gaps and potential analytical approaches.
• Support preparation of SOFI 2026 outreach and dissemination materials, including presentations, briefing notes and factsheets.
• Compile feedback, media coverage and stakeholder-engagement information following the SOFI 2026 launch and support coordination with FAO teams.
• Support SOFI Steering Committee and inter-agency coordination by preparing agendas, background notes and minutes.
• Assist in organizing virtual and in-person coordination meetings.
• Support compilation, cleaning, validation and management of datasets related to food security and nutrition indicators, including basic statistical processing and quality checks.
• Help prepare tables, figures, metadata and analytical supporting materials, and maintain organized data repositories.

Skills

Literature reviews

Data management

Technical writing

Project coordination

Food security experience

Education

Advanced degree in international relations/public policy/related field

Job description

Research and Publications Analyst (2602248)

Job Posting: 30/Oct/2026

Closure Date: 13/Nov/2026, 10:59:00 PM

Organizational Unit: ESA - Agrifood Economics and Policy Division

Job Type: Non-staff opportunities

Type of Requisition: Consultant / PSA (Personal Services Agreement)

Primary Location: Various Locations

Duration: Up to 11 months (renewable)

Post Number: N/A

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

FAO Commitment to Diversity and Equality

• 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 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’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

Organizational Setting

The Agrifood Economics and Policy Division (ESA) conducts economic research and policy analysis to support 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. ESA provides evidence-based support to national, regional, and global policy processes and initiatives related to monitoring and analysing 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) and provides core technical support for the FAO Global Roadmap.

Reporting Lines

The selected candidate will work under the direct supervision of the SOFI Technical Lead, and under overall supervision of the ESA Director.

Technical Focus

The incumbent will support the preparation of The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) report through research, support to coordination, communication and data-management activities. The assignment will support dissemination and outreach for SOFI 2026 edition with contribution to the analytical groundwork for SOFI 2027 edition.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Conduct systematic and targeted literature reviews relevant to the SOFI 2027 theme and analytical framework, covering food security, nutrition, healthy diets, agrifood systems, food prices, resilience and related topics.
• Prepare annotated bibliographies, literature summaries and evidence-synthesis notes, and help identify research gaps, emerging policy issues and potential analytical approaches for SOFI 2027.
• Support preparation of SOFI 2026 outreach and dissemination materials, including presentations, briefing notes, factsheets, talking points, web and social-media content.
• Compile feedback, media coverage and stakeholder-engagement information following the SOFI 2026 launch, and support coordination with FAO Communication Teams and partner agencies.
• Support SOFI Steering Committee and inter-agency coordination by preparing agendas, background notes, minutes and action trackers and following up on deadlines and deliverables.
• Assist in organizing virtual and in-person coordination meetings.
• Support compilation, cleaning, validation and management of datasets related to food security and nutrition indicators, including basic statistical processing and quality checks.
• Help prepare tables, figures, metadata and analytical supporting materials, and maintain organized and reproducible data repositories.

FAO Standards and Guidelines

Liaison with OCC will be maintained, either directly or through an agreed focal point/coordinator, to ensure compliance with OCC standards, aligned messaging, and appropriate review and clearance processes.

• All communication materials will follow FAO clearance processes and comply with FAO standards, including:
• FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31: https://www.fao.org/strategic-framework/en
• FAO social media policy and guidelines: https://www.fao.org/2/socialmedia
• Social Media Branding Guidelines: https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb5044en
• FAOSTYLE: https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb8081en
• FAO terminology http://www.fao.org/faoterm
• FAO Names of Countries https://www.fao.org/nocs/en
• Story guidelines, Story template, UN map standards, FAO logo policy and related branding guidelines (available to staff).
• Further guidance regarding FAO communications, policies and procedures can be found through the FAO intranet, OCC section.

Candidates will be assessed against the following

• For consultants: Advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/ UNESCO in international relations, public policy, communication or related fields. Consultants with bachelor's degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience.
• For PSAs: University degree (or technical degree/certificate) from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in in international relations, public policy, communication or related fields.
• At least one year of relevant professional experience in research, evidence synthesis, data analysis, communications or related work relevant to food security and nutrition
• Working knowledge (level C) of English.

Technical/Functional Skills

• Ability to conduct structured literature reviews and synthesize scientific and policy evidence clearly and accurately.
• Demonstrated quantitative and data-management skills, including data cleaning, quality checks, documentation and preparation of tables and figures.
• Strong drafting and communication skills for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to organize workflows, track deliverables and support coordination across teams and partner institutions.
• Experience relevant to food security, nutrition, agrifood systems or international development is desirable.

Selection criteria

• Knowledge of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) would be an asset

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

Additional Information

• FAO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing)
• Please note that FAO will only consider academic credentials or degrees obtained from an educational institution recognized in the IAU/UNESCO list
• 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 http://www.whed.net/
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.