Agricultural Policy Analyst

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations; Dihlabeng Local Municipality; On-site; ZAR 600 000 - 700 000; Full time

Job summary

An international organization is seeking an Agricultural Policy Analyst to support economic and policy analysis in agrifood systems. The successful candidate will produce policy indicators, draft recommendations, and collaborate with governments in developing countries. An advanced degree in economics or a related field is required along with relevant experience in agricultural policy analysis. Strong communication and teamwork skills are essential. The position is based in Dihlabeng Local Municipality, South Africa.

Qualifications

• 1 year of relevant experience in agricultural policy analysis.
• Working knowledge (level C) of English.
• Experience in quantitative and qualitative economic analysis.

Responsibilities

• Produce policy monitoring indicators related to price incentives.
• Participate in policy-relevant meetings and events.
• Draft high-quality policy recommendations and technical reports.

Skills

Quantitative analysis

Qualitative analysis

Policy advice

Communication

Teamwork

Education

Advanced degree in economics or related field

Tools

Python

R

STATA

Job description

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the 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.

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). Within ESA, the Monitoring and Analysing Food and Agricultural Policies (MAFAP) programme, seeks to establish country-owned and sustainable systems to monitor, analyse, and reform food and agricultural policies to enable more effective, efficient, and inclusive policy frameworks in eight partner countries (Burkina Faso; Ethiopia; Ghana; Kenya; Mozambique; Nigeria; Rwanda; Uganda). The MAFAP programme works with government institutions, research organizations and other partners to create sustainable policy monitoring systems and carry out a consistent set of policy and public expenditure analyses across a wide range of agricultural value chains. The MAFAP programme analyses are used to inform targeted food and agricultural policy reforms that will result in a more conducive environment for agricultural investment and productivity growth, especially for smallholder farmers. The post aims at supporting this effort and is located where the MAFAP programme operates. Successful candidates may be placed in similar positions within the Organisation.

Reporting Lines

The Agricultural Policy Analyst reports to the Economist or Policy Officer under overall supervision of the Deputy-Director of ESA and Officer-in-Charge of the MAFAP programme. He/she will work in close collaboration with the FAO Representation in the relevant country of assignment as well as the relevant FAO regional and/or sub-regional offices.

Technical Focus

The Consultant/PSA will support economic and policy analysis of a range of technical issues related to food and agriculture in developing countries. He/she will be involved in one or more of the following areas of work:

• Analysis of agricultural prices and/or price distortions and incentives;
• Public expenditure analysis and/or public financial management systems;
• Agricultural development strategies/investment plans;
• Agricultural value chains and commodity markets;
• Agrifood trade policy;
• Policy analysis using various quantitative and qualitative methods derived from economics, political economy, and political science.

Tasks and responsibilities

The assigned tasks and responsibilities related to this area of work may include a mix of the following:

• Produce policy monitoring indicators and analyses related to price incentives along agricultural value chains;
• Compile and classify large datasets to produce food and agricultural public expenditure indicators and analysis;
• Contribute to the development of technical products and analytical studies to support evidence-based policy reform processes with a focus on trade and market price policies and/or investment priorities in the framework of agrifood systems transformation strategies;
• Draft actionable and high-quality policy recommendations, technical reports, and policy briefs;
• Participate in policy-relevant meetings, roundtables or other events related to food and agricultural policy analyses and reform in developing countries;
• Carry out capacity development activities benefitting government counterparts and other selected national partners;
• Lead day-to-day implementation of activities in close partnership with national counterparts;
• Perform duty travel as required for the completion of the above-mentioned tasks;
• Any other tasks as required.

Minimum Requirements

• For Consultant: Advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in economics, agricultural economics, environmental economics, political science, public policy, public financial management, international development, or closely related field. Candidates with a bachelor’s degree and two additional years of relevant professional experience may also be considered.
• For PSA: University degree or specific technical specialization in economics, agricultural economics, environmental economics, political science, public policy, public financial management, international development, or closely related field.
• 1 (one) year of relevant experience in the monitoring and analysis of agricultural policies and/or the production of evidence-based policy recommendations, including analyses supporting the elaboration of strategies, investment plans, and/or regulations applicable to the agricultural sector and/or specific agrifood value chains;
• Working knowledge (level C) of English.

FAO Core 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.
• Extent and relevance of experience in conducting quantitative and/or qualitative economic analysis of agricultural and food policies, including analysis of agricultural policy distortions and public expenditure for the food and agricultural sector.
• Knowledge of agricultural policy monitoring indicators.
• Familiarity with providing policy advice to governments in developing countries.
• Experience in presenting analytical results in concise and effective manner also to non-technical audience.
• Knowledge of current political economic conditions in developing countries, and ability to analyse the policy context at country level building on political economy tools.
• Familiarity with climate change and biodiversity impacts of agricultural policies.
• Experience in high-level policy dialogues and workshops and interacting with government officials on key policy issues affecting agriculture and food security would be considered as an asset.
• Experience in database management would be considered as an asset.
• Expertise in computer programming languages (Python or R), and familiarity with other software e.g. STATA or GAM, would be considered as an asset.

Selection criteria

Limited knowledge in another FAO official language (Arabic; Chinese; French; Russian; or Spanish) would be considered an asset.