Young Professional Officer (Economist)

Job Description

2601700

Job Posting

10/Aug/2026

Closure Date

07/Sep/2026, 9:59:00 PM

Organizational Unit : EST

Job Type

Staff position

Type of Requisition : Professional

Primary Location

Italy-Rome

Duration : Fixed-term: two years with possibility of extension

Post Number : 2008717

CCOG Code : 1A08

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based ondate and time settings ofyour personal device
The length of appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to the extension of appointments.

• 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 persons 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 staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.

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

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

Organizational setting

The Markets and Trade Division (EST) monitors and analyses developments and trends in international, regional and national agricultural commodity markets and the factors affecting them, collecting and disseminating up-to-date and comprehensive market and policy information for the major traded commodities and those important to food security. It also undertakes forward-looking outlook studies. The Division analyzes issues that affect global food and agricultural markets and trade, including analysis of trade policies and agreements, and provides technical support and capacity development to FAO Members in all these areas. Through its Global Information and Early Warning System on Food and Agriculture (GIEWS), the Division is responsible for FAO's early warnings on food shortfalls and food security problems. EST is also responsible for the production of FAO flagship publication The State of Agricultural Commodity Markets (SOCO) and the OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook. The Division houses the secretariats of the Committee on Commodity Problems (CCP) and its subsidiary Intergovernmental Groups (IGGs), the G20 Agricultural Market Information System (AMIS) and the World Banana Forum (WBF).

The position is located in the Markets and Trade Division (EST) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines

The Young Professional Officer (Economist) reports to the Team Leader, Food and Agricultural Market Analysis team, under the overall guidance of the EST Director.

Technical Focus

The incumbent will provide technical, statistical and analytical inputs, databases and related products and services to support the work of the Food and Agricultural Market Analysis team on agricultural commodity markets, including monitoring of market developments and conducting quantitative analysis on commodity prices, macroeconomic linkages, energy market linkages, and policy analysis.

Key Results

Research, technical analysis and project related services to support the delivery of assigned projects, products and services.

Key Functions

• Analyses relevant technical social, economic, environmental, and technology information, data and/or statistics for input in various documents.
• Maintains records and updates databases and web pages.
• Provides technical support to various projects.
• Collaborates in the development of training tools and materials and the organization of workshops/seminars, etc.
• Participates in the organization and follow-up of meetings, consultations and conferences, the production of required materials and the provision of information and assistance to partners.

Specific Functions

• Supports the development, maintenance and quality assurance of databases and indicators on agricultural commodity markets and prices.
• Contributes to economic and quantitative analyses on factors affecting agricultural commodity markets, including price dynamics, macroeconomic linkages and trade-related developments.
• Assists in the preparation of analytical outputs, such as reports, technical notes, policy briefs, presentations and datasets, including the production of the Commodity Market Review report.
• Provides support in the monitoring and assessment of market developments, emerging issues, policy changes and other factors affecting agricultural commodity markets and identifies their potential implications.
• Supports the organization of meetings, workshops and technical consultations, including preparation of background materials and follow-up activities in the field of agricultural commodity markets.
• Contributes to capacity development activities, including the development of training materials, analytical tools and knowledge products on topics related to agricultural commodity markets.
• Performs other duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in economics, agricultural economics, macroeconomics, international trade, development economics, or a related field.
• One year of relevant experience in economic research and quantitative analysis, including experience in international markets and trade, econometrics and/or economic modelling, and database management.
• Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is desirable.
• Academic/professional background in economics, with a foundation in empirical economics and quantitative analysis.
• Relevance of experience in commodity market analysis and economic research, including familiarity with statistical and econometric methods will be an asset.
• Demonstrated experience in programming with MATLAB, R, Stata, Python, or other relevant programming languages.
• Relevance of experience in the development and management of databases using macroeconomic data.
• Proven excellent communication skills, both verbal and writing.
• A Ph.D. in relevant field is a strong asset.

NB Please note that candidates should be 32 years of age or younger as of 31 December of the year of application.

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

FAO staff are expected to adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.

GENERAL INFORMATION

• Extension of fixed term appointments is based on certification of performance and availability of funds
• FAO reserves the right not to make an appointment.
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, click on the following link: https://commonsystem.org/cp/default.asp

Other benefits, subject to eligibility, include:

• Dependency allowances
• Rental subsidy
• Education grant for children
• Home leave travel
• 30 working days of annual leave per year
• Pension fund entitlements under the UN Joint Staff Pension Fund
• International health insurance; optional life insurance
• Disability protection

FAO encourages a positive workplaceculture to increase inclusivity and diversity within its workforce.FAO applies measures in which all staff members contribute equally and in full to the work and development of the Organization. This includes:

• elements of family-friendly policies
• flexible working arrangements
• standards of conduct.

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