Research and Publications Analyst

Organizational Setting

The Agrifood Economics and Policy Division (ESA) conducts economic research and policy analysis to support 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. ESA provides evidence-based support to national, regional, and global policy processes and initiatives related to monitoring and analysing food and agricultural policies, agribusiness and value chain development, rural transformation and poverty, food security and nutrition information and analysis, resilience, bioeconomy, and climate-smart agriculture. The division also leads the production of two FAO flagship publications: The State of Food and Agriculture (SOFA) and The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) and provides core technical support for the FAO Global Roadmap.

Reporting Lines

The selected candidate will work under the direct supervision of the SOFI Technical Lead, and under overall supervision of the ESA Director.

Technical Focus

The incumbent will support the preparation of The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) report through research, support to coordination, communication and data-management activities. The assignment will support dissemination and outreach for SOFI 2026 edition with contribution to the analytical groundwork for SOFI 2027 edition.

Tasks and responsibilities:

• Conduct systematic and targeted literature reviews relevant to the SOFI 2027 theme and analytical framework, covering food security, nutrition, healthy diets, agrifood systems, food prices, resilience and related topics.
• Prepare annotated bibliographies, literature summaries and evidence-synthesis notes, and help identify research gaps, emerging policy issues and potential analytical approaches for SOFI 2027.
• Support preparation of SOFI 2026 outreach and dissemination materials, including presentations, briefing notes, factsheets, talking points, web and social-media content.
• Compile feedback, media coverage and stakeholder-engagement information following the SOFI 2026 launch, and support coordination with FAO Communication Teams and partner agencies.
• Support SOFI Steering Committee and inter-agency coordination by preparing agendas, background notes, minutes and action trackers and following up on deadlines and deliverables.
• Assist in organizing virtual and in-person coordination meetings.
• Support compilation, cleaning, validation and management of datasets related to food security and nutrition indicators, including basic statistical processing and quality checks.
• Help prepare tables, figures, metadata and analytical supporting materials, and maintain organized and reproducible data repositories.

FAO Standards and guidelines:

Liaison with OCC will be maintained, either directly or through an agreed focal point/coordinator, to ensure compliance with OCC standards, aligned messaging, and appropriate review and clearance processes.
•     All communication materials will follow FAO clearance processes and comply with FAO standards, including:
FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31: https://www.fao.org/strategic-framework/en
FAO social media policy and guidelines: https://www.fao.org/2/socialmedia
Social Media Branding Guidelines: https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb5044en
FAOSTYLE https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb8081en
FAO terminology http://www.fao.org/faoterm
FAO Names of Countries https://www.fao.org/nocs/en
Story guidelines, Story template, UN map standards, FAO logo policy and related branding guidelines (available to staff).
Further guidance regarding FAO communications, policies and procedures can be found through the FAO intranet, OCC section.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• For consultants: Advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/ UNESCO in international relations, public policy, communication or related fields. Consultants with bachelor's degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience.
•  For PSAs: University degree (or technical degree/certificate) from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in in international relations, public policy, communication or related fields.
• At least one year of relevant professional experience in research, evidence synthesis, data analysis, communications or related work relevant to food security and nutrition
• Working knowledge (level C) of English.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Ability to conduct structured literature reviews and synthesize scientific and policy evidence clearly and accurately.
• Demonstrated quantitative and data-management skills, including data cleaning, quality checks, documentation and preparation of tables and figures.
• Strong drafting and communication skills for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to organize workflows, track deliverables and support coordination across teams and partner institutions.
• Experience relevant to food security, nutrition, agrifood systems or international development is desirable.

Selection criteria

•     Knowledge of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) would be an asset