Organizational Setting
The Memorandum of Understanding of the Technical Cooperation Programme between the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MoEWA) on Behalf of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia  (KSA) and FAO aims at supporting the Ministry in achieving its strategic objectives related to: (a) conservation and sustainable management of the natural resources and the environment; (b) achievement of water security; (c) contribution to sustainable food security; (d) sustainable development for the sectors with comparative advantages; (e) attainment of sustainable and high-quality services and products; and (f) operationalization of private sector involvement and the role of cooperatives and non-profit organizations.

Led by a Programme Coordinator, the Programme Management Unit of the FAO-KSA Technical Cooperation Programme is responsible for the overall management of the Programme including the management, oversight, and technical guidance for all projects under the Technical Cooperation Programme.

The position is located in the Programme Management Unit of the FAO-KSA Technical Cooperation Programme in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Reporting Lines
The Technical Adviser (Economist) reports to Programme Coordinator in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Technical Focus
Technical advice, policy, and programmatic support to all projects under the FAO-KSA Technical Programme with particular focus on economic, social, and financial aspects.

Key Results
Comprehensive technical and policy expertise to support technical cooperation-related programmes, projects, products and services in accordance with the FAO Strategic Framework.

Key Functions
•    Leads the development, implementation and evaluation of assigned technical cooperation-related programmes/projects; reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies priorities, liaises with relevant parties; identifies follow-up actions.
•    Coordinates technical cooperation activities and programme-related activities, reviews the assessments of issues and trends for their implementation and leads the preparation of impact evaluation or equivalent studies.
•    Supervises preparation of various written outputs, e.g., background papers, analyses, substantial sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications.
•    Contributes to consultative and other meetings, conferences, including proposals for agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations.
•    Participates in activities such as structuring of training workshops, seminars; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities.
•    Leads field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties.
•    Provides advice regarding the development of policies and strategies related to technical cooperation, as well as regional, subregional and national protocols and guidelines for projects with specific domains related to FAO’s work.

Specific Functions
•    Contributes to the design of new projects under the FAO-KSA Technical Cooperation Programme.
•    Provides evidence-based policy advice on the economic aspects related to sustainable rural agriculture development, sustainable management of natural resources, food security and nutrition, among others.
•    Assesses the social, economic and financial feasibility of key interventions through studying economic and social dimensions, market prospects, prices, costs and risks, carries out financial and economic analysis and proposes viable business models.
•    Leads relevant thematic studies and assessments across all projects under the FAO-KSA Technical Cooperation Programme.
•    Evaluates the performance of investment interventions during implementation and their impact after completion and makes recommendations for enhancing design of future operations.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements
•    Advanced university degree in political sciences, business administration, agricultural economics, development economics or related field.
•    Seven years of relevant experience in programme and project management, policy and technical advice and analysis, monitoring and evaluation in areas related to the activities of FAO.
•    Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate – level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

Competencies
•    Results Focus
•    Teamwork
•    Effective communication
•    Building effective relationships
•    Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills
•    Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions.
•    Extent and relevance of experience in participating in multidisciplinary teams for the preparation of strategies and sector studies as well as formulation, implementation support or evaluation of development projects.
•    Extent and relevance of experience in leading social and economic studies and provision of evidence-based policy support in areas related to food security, sustainable rural agriculture development, sustainable management of natural resources.
•    Relevance of experience in capacity development for the design and implementation of development projects.
•    Demonstrated experience in dealing with senior government officials, development partners and other country level stakeholders.
•    Demonstrated capacity to write technical reports in English and/or Arabic.
•    Relevance of experience in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia or similar contexts.
•    Ability to work under pressure.