Agroeconomist (Consultant)

Purpose and Objectives:

Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) is an autonomous international organization established for scientific, educational, developmental, and humanitarian purposes with a vision of safer communities and sustainable development through disaster risk reduction and climate resilience in Asia and the Pacific. ADPC develops and implements cross-sectoral projects/programs on the strategic themes of risk governance, urban resilience, climate resilience, health risk management, preparedness for response, and resilient recovery. Our strategic themes are complemented and underpinned by the cross-cutting themes of gender and diversity, regional and transboundary cooperation, and poverty and livelihoods.

Through its work, ADPC supports the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the New Urban Agenda, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the agenda defined at the World Humanitarian Summit in 2016, and other relevant international frameworks.

For details, please refer to ADPC website at http://www.adpc.net/.

The Risk Analytics and Climate Services Department of ADPC is a multi-disciplinary team of experts committed to providing innovative, science-based solutions to address climate risks and enhance resilience to climate change. Addressing climate change adaptation is the primary goal of the department with a focus on climate data integration, early warning systems, impact-based forecasting leading to anticipatory action into agricultural planning and water resource management for water and food security. The department applies advanced geoinformatics and climate analytics to address water and food security by assessing water availability, water use efficiency, groundwater management, monitoring drought risks, and optimizing agricultural productivity, ensuring sustainable resource use and food systems in vulnerable regions. The department promotes Nature-Based Solutions by leveraging ecosystem services such as wetland restoration, agroforestry, and green-gray infrastructure to reduce disaster risks and build climate resilience. To enhance the climate and disaster resilience of urban settings and physical infrastructure, particularly critical infrastructure, the department promotes the integration of climate and disaster risk information into the urban plans and engineering design through comprehensive hazard, vulnerability, risk and criticality assessments that aims to develop risk-informed urban plans and also adaptive infrastructure capable of withstanding extreme climate events such as floods, heatwaves, and sea-level rise as well as geological hazards (e.g. earthquakes, landslides etc.). With a commitment to science-based approach, the department envisions to empowering stakeholders to reduce risks, adapt to climate change, and build more resilient communities and ecosystems.

SERVIR-Southeast Asia (SERVIR-SEA) is a 5-year project, co-created by USAID, NASA, and ADPC, to address disaster and climate resilience as well as environmental issues in Southeast Asia. SERVIR-SEA’s objective is Expanded and Scaled Climate Actions by using Satellite Data and Geospatial Information in Decision Making, which will be achieved through the following outcomes:

1. Regional platform(s) strengthened and/or established for accelerating, scaling, and/or sustaining adoption of data and information
2. Increased investment from diversified partnership with stakeholders to support the development and use of data and information
3. Increased accessibility of data and information
4. Strengthened capacity of Stakeholders to use data and information

Through the cooperation with USAID’s Mission to Myanmar, ADPC through its SERVIR SEA program will conduct analyses related to uses of satellite data and geospatial information for food security assessment in the country and landscape monitoring in Cambodia. Therefore, it is seeking a qualified candidate for the position of Agroeconomist (Consultant) capable of leading the assessment in Myanmar and Cambodia.

The Agroeconomist will provide expert economic impact analysis, climate impact analysis and response strategies and guidance on the integration of geospatial data and applications to support overall food security assessment and sustainable landscape management in Myanmar and provide expert advice on agriculture extension activities using climate information in pilot provinces in Cambodia. The consultant will work closely with the SERVIR SEA interdisciplinary teams engaged in the Burma and Cambodia Buy-in services together to ensure the effective use of geospatial technologies in agriculture and land use planning.

Expected Outputs:

• Carry out economic impact analysis for assessing food security situation in Myanmar.
• Report on the annual food security situation in Myanmar.
• Carry out climate impact analysis on agriculture sector and formulate response strategies for Myanmar.
• Integrate geospatial data for economic planning in agriculture and land use in Myanmar.
• Weekly analysis and reports on weather and climate information for crops from the Cambodia Biophysical M&E Dashboard.

Responsibilities andTasks:

1. Myanmar
   1. Economic Analysis

• Conduct economic assessments of agricultural practices and land use in Myanmar.
• Analyze the economic impact of geospatial applications on food security and sustainable landscapes.
• Provide cost-benefit analyses of different agricultural interventions and land management strategies.

1. Climate Impact Analysis and Response Strategies:

• Analyze the economic impact of flood and drought events on agriculture, assessing how these extreme climate events affect crop yields, farm income, and overall agricultural productivity.
• Assist the Vulnerability and Impact Specialist in developing crop damage functions by analyzing the relationship between climate variables (such as rainfall patterns, soil moisture, and temperature) and crop yields.
• Provide practical advice to farmers, agricultural planners, and policymakers on how to prepare for and reduce the risks of floods and droughts, using climate forecasts and historical data. This may include recommendations such as growing diverse crops, implementing soil conservation techniques, planting drought-resistant crops, improving water management, and adopting climate-smart technologies.

1. Geospatial Application Integration

• Collaborate with geospatial specialists to integrate economic data with geographic information systems (GIS).
• Support the development and implementation of SERVIR SEA geospatial tools for economic planning in agriculture and land use.

1. Stakeholder Engagement:

• Engage with the Myanmar Food Security Cluster to identify economic challenges and opportunities in agriculture and land management.
• Facilitate workshops and training sessions for non-government stakeholders, NGOs and CSOs on the economic benefits of geospatial applications.
• Ensure that economic insights are communicated effectively to all relevant stakeholders.

1. Cambodia

• Analyze weather forecasts and climate information from the Cambodia Biophysical M&E Dashboard for pilot provinces.
• Interpret the potential impact of weather and climate patterns on crop production, pest/disease outbreaks, and water availability.
• Provide practical advice for farmers on planting schedules, fertilizer application, pest and disease management, and harvesting based on weather forecasts.
• Provide guidance on index and forecast based insurance pay-outs.

1. Project Support

• Assist Burma Buy-in Lead, Cambodia Buy-in Lead and Monitoring & Evaluation (MEL) Lead in monitoring and evaluating project activities related to economic outcomes.
• Provide technical support and advice to project team members on economic issues.
• Ensure that project activities align with the overall objectives of SERVIR SEA and the Burma Buy-In activity.

1. Corporate Responsibilities

• Represent ADPC in meetings/workshops/events, as requested by the Director, Geospatial Information.
• Conduct training and seminars to enhance the internal geospatial capacity and communications of ADPC staff.
• As needed deliver related training courses, workshops and other capacity building activities under SERVIR SEA.
• Participate in technical and management meetings related to ADPC programs.

Note: This description does not intend to cover every aspect of the position requirements but rather to highlight the areas of critical personal and joint responsibilities.

Working Principles:

The Agroeconomist will report to the Burma Buy-in Lead and Cambodia Buy-in Lead. He/she will work closely with the scientists and the service leads of SERVIR SEA.

Qualifications:

The Agronomist shall have the following qualifications:

• Master’s degree or higher in Agricultural Economics, Economics, Development Studies, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in economic analysis, preferably in the context of agriculture and land use.
• Demonstrated experience with geospatial applications and GIS technologies.
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Experience working in Southeast Asia is highly desirable.
• Proficiency in English; knowledge of Burmese is an advantage.

Duty Station: Bangkok (Thailand)

Duration: January to December 2025 with possibility of extension

Selection Method:

The candidate will be selected in accordance with ADPC’s recruitment process and policy guidelines.

Note: ADPC encourages diversity in its workplace and supports an inclusive work environment.