Senior Economist

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**TERMS AND CONDITIONS**:
**JOB TITLE**: Senior Economist

**TYPE & LEVEL OF CONTRACT**: International Consultant Level III

**UNIT/DIVISION**: Programme Unit, Regional Bureau Cairo (RBC)

**DUTY STATION** (City, Country): Cairo, Egypt

**REPORT TO**: Head of Programme

**DURATION**: 11 months

**ABOUT WFP**:
The United Nations World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. The mission of WFP is to help the world achieve Zero Hunger in our lifetimes. Every day, WFP works worldwide to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry and that the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly women and children, can access the nutritious food they need.

WFP’s Regional Bureau for the Middle East and Northern Africa (RBC), based in Cairo, Egypt, provides strategic guidance, policy/technical support and direction to WFP operations and activities in 16 countries: Algeria, Armenia, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Moldova, Morocco, State of Palestine, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine and Yemen. These country offices aim to assist roughly one-third of all of WFP’s beneficiaries (approx. 30 million) in some of the most critical humanitarian emergencies of our time. RBC is also active in the ‘Changing Lives’ side of WFP’s mandate, helping national governments and local communities improve nutrition, livelihoods, school feeding, social protection, climate and disaster risk reduction and other programmes that build resilience and support development.

**WHY WORK AT WFP?**

**SAVING & CHANGING LIVES ❤**:

- Make a difference, the world will notice._
We are driven by our mission to fight world hunger and feed people’s dreams of a brighter future.

**GLOBAL COMMUNITY**:

- Build bridges that unite people across the world._
Being part of a global, diverse and multicultural community like WFP, will continuously expose you to new ideas and perspectives.
How we deliver our mission in a deep respect for personal and cultural differences and close collaboration between every member of our global team, will certainly enrich your experience and knowledge on so many levels.

**UNLIMITED POSSIBILITIES**:

- Unlock possibilities you never thought you'd find._
WFP goes anywhere it is needed and does whatever it takes to get the job done.

**LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCE**:

- Reach beyond yourself and discover your true potential._
WFP offers the kind of life-changing experiences you’re unlikely to find in many other organizations.

**Join us to make a difference**
**Watch this video to know more about us**

**ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT**:
Food and nutrition security in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is highly influenced by national, regional, and global economic trends. Policies, strategies, and programmes to address food insecurity and malnutrition in MENA region therefore need to be based on sound economic analysis.

Recognizing this, the World Food Programme (WFP) regionally is seeking to further enhance its internal capacity related to economic analysis/forecasting. The position of Senior Economist will spearhead that effort.

The post-holder will be based in the WFP Regional Bureau in Cairo, Egypt reporting to the Regional Head of Programme. S/he will also be expected to travel frequently, including to hard-to-reach and insecure environments.

**KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)**:
Under the overall guidance of the Head of Programme and working in coordination with other parts of the Regional Bureau and field-based teams, the Senior Economist will be responsible for the following tasks (among other things):
**Economic analysis and forecasting**
- Ensure that WFP is systematically monitoring economic trends across the region and that WFP strategies and programmes are based on sound economic analysis
- Contribute to WFP regional efforts to anticipate economic shocks that pose a threat to food security and nutrition, and identify appropriate early actions
- Support WFP to systematically monitor the cost-effectiveness of its food-, cash
- and voucher operations in view of fluctuations in the economy (e.g. currency depreciation, inflation)

**Policy and advisory**
- Produce and circulate regular, “bite-size” economic briefings to WFP colleagues on economic trends that are of direct relevance to WFP’s mandate and work in the region
- Assist WFP’s government counterparts to understand the potential impact of economic policy choices (e.g. subsidy reforms) on food security and nutrition

**Capacity building**
- Provide remote and on-site support to field-based colleagues, with a view to building their capacity in economic analysis and forecasting.

**Partnership and representation**
- Represent WFP in relevant external fora and meetings, with a view to strengthening WFP’s visibility and partnerships with key stakeholders

**Other tasks**
- Any other duties, as required by the Head of Programme or RBC Management

**STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS**: