Development Economist

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.
FAO is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO’s goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 Members (194 countries and the European Union), FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.
FAO Country Offices, working under overall corporate guidance and in line with the Strategic Framework, offer policy advice and support to countries in the mandated areas of FAO, facilitated through partnerships, resources and an active country programme to provide technical assistance, develop capacities and deliver core services while fully observing international standards of accountability to establish leadership and strengthen impact at the country level.
The offices deliver on the programmatic priorities of each country as agreed in their respective Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs) aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and ensure effective and efficient operations with adequate human and financial resources.
Specifically, FAO Country Offices:
(i) advocate, inform and support policies and investments in the areas of FAO’s mandate;
(ii) provide technical assistance and deliver core services;
(iii) assist and catalyse partnership and resource mobilization activities to support agrifood systems transformation;
(iv) position FAO as the specialized/authoritative technical agency in food and agriculture and agrifood systems transformation;
(v) ensure risk-smart and accountable operations and management.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) seeks to provide technical support to the Government of Bangladesh to facilitate the implementation of the Agriculture Sector Transformation Programme (ATP), under the auspices of the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA). This initiative is supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) and is anticipated to be executed over a period of 38 months. The Government of Bangladesh has designated the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) as the principal implementing partner within the ATP framework. The project aims to achieve several objectives, including:
• Conducting policy, institutional, and investment gap analyses to inform an effective action plan for agriculture sector transformation.
• Identifying and establishing effective pathways for prioritizing and coordinating resources and partnerships.
• Enhancing collaboration with the private sector.
• Improving the scale and efficacy of investments in agrifood system research and innovation.
• Increasing initiatives to safeguard environmental health, particularly in light of climate vulnerability.

The Development Economist will play a pivotal role in advancing the economic analysis for the development of the Monitoring and Analysing Food and Agriculture Policy (MAFAP) tool, with a focus on bridging agricultural policy gaps. This position is crucial to ensure data-driven strategies, driving the success of the project through expert analysis and informed decision-making.

The position is located in the FAO country office in Bangladesh.

Reporting Lines

The Development Economist is a SC9 position. Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Bangladesh, the Deputy FAO Representative, Assistant FAO Representative (Programme) and the direct supervision of the Senior Technical Advisor (STA), the incumbent will work closely with the FAO-MAFAP team, National Project Coordinator, relevant government institutions, and other internal and external stakeholders.

Technical Focus

The technical focus of the assignment includes institutional analysis, collate data in support of MAFAP tool development and analyses, liaison and consultation with key stakeholders, and technical assistance towards evidence-based agricultural policy-making in Bangladesh.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Collate, review, and analyse key policy, strategy, program and other documents, all necessary data and information related to Agricultural policy gap analysis (MAFAP) tool development.
• Liaise and regularly consult key national institutions, including BARC, DAE, BBS, ERD (iBAS ), relevant ministries and other.
• Obtain and share budgetary data and actual public expenditures (PE) for fiscal years starting with FY 2017-2018, including FY 2022-2023 in support of the MAFAP tool development.
• Assist with data collection, adjustments to the social accounting matrix (SAM), calibration of the results, writing of report and contextualization of results in support of MAFAP tool development.
• Support and contribute to define Technical Assistance package towards relevant indicators of World Bank funded PARTNER project, in collaboration with relevant government institutions.
• Proactively contribute to rigorous work on public expenditure data cleaning, validate, review and analysis for the Agricultural policy gap analysis tool development.
• Conduct institutional analysis of key national institutions related to the PARTNER Project supported by the World Bank.
• Support project planning, inception phase and a results-based monitoring framework.
• Support capacity development initiatives as envisaged in the project
• Perform any other project-related tasks assigned by the FAO-HQ MAFAP team, STA and project team.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree preferably PhD in agricultural economics, economics, or a relevant subject area.
• Seven years of proven experience in conducting economic analysis and applying economic models to agricultural systems.
• Working knowledge (level C) of English.
• National of Bangladesh.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Strong quantitative and analytical skills, with proficiency in statistical software and economic modeling tools.
• Knowledge of agricultural markets, trade policies, and international development issues.
• Proficiency in leading and contributing to analytical, advisory, and technical assistance activities with key project stakeholders.
• Strong skills in conducting economic reviews and analyses related to agricultural transformation, in collaboration with stakeholders.
• Ability to contribute to policy dialogue and strategic program development, with a focus on data-informed, rigorous economic and financial analysis.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION