Organizational Setting
The Animal Production and Health Division (NSA) assists FAO members in the development of sustainable livestock systems. It hosts intergovernmental bodies, multi-stakeholder initiatives and knowledge networks that provide information and technical and policy support to development efforts, including emergency preparedness and response. The Division has expertise in animal health (One Health), animal production and genetics, and livestock sector analysis and policy. The assignment is within the Livestock Information, Sector Analysis and Policy Branch (NSAL). NSAL provides information services and carries out analysis in support of technical and policy interventions towards sustainable livestock, focusing on social, economic and environmental goals. The incumbent will be located within the Livestock Policy Lab (LPL) in NSAL. The LPL provides evidence-based analytical support to national, regional and global policy processes and initiatives related to sustainable livestock.
Reporting Lines
Under the overall supervision of the Chief, NSAL, the direct supervision of the Livestock Economist Policy Officer and in collaboration with FAO colleagues, the incumbent will contribute to FAO Strategic Objectives.
Technical Focusย
The incumbent will contribute to the design and implementation of an integrated modelling framework for assessing methane mitigation strategies in the dairy sector, with a particular focus on Agent-Based Modelling (ABM). The role involves simulating the behavior of heterogeneous agentsโsuch as farmers, input suppliers, and regulatorsโand evaluating how their interactions influence the adoption and effectiveness of low-carbon technologies under varying policy and economic scenarios. The model will be used to generate insights into adoption dynamics, structural and behavioral barriers, and the system-wide impacts of mitigation strategies.
Tasks and responsibilities
Consultants and PSA subscribers will:ย
โข ย ย Design and implement an ABM to simulate the adoption and diffusion of methane mitigation technologies in the dairy sector.
โข ย ย Develop behavioural rules for different types of agents, incorporating economic, social, and institutional drivers.
โข ย ย Integrate farm-level technical and economic data into the ABM framework, using inputs from existing models where relevant.
โข ย ย Conduct scenario analyses to evaluate the system-wide effects of policy interventions on technology uptake and emission outcomes.
โข ย ย Contribute to the drafting of technical reports and policy briefs based on ABM results, aimed at informing decision-making on sustainable livestock transformation.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements depending on the profile and orientation
โข ย ย Advanced university degree in economics, environmental economics, agricultural economics, bioeconomy, or a related field. A first level degree with 2 years of additional experience in economics, environmental economics, agricultural economics, bioeconomy, or a related field.
โข ย ย At least one year of relevant experience for COF in livestock economic modelling. For PSAs at least one year of experience in livestock economic modelling with a first level university degree. ย ย
โข ย ย Working knowledge of English
FAO Core Competencies
โข ย ย Results Focus
โข ย ย Teamwork
โข ย ย Communication
โข ย ย Building Effective Relationships
โข ย ย Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
โข ย ย Extent and relevance of experience in the design and application of Agent-Based Models, preferably in agriculture, livestock, or natural resource management.
โข ย ย Familiarity with modelling platforms such as NetLogo, AnyLogic, Repast, GAMA, Mesa, or similar agent-based modelling environments.
โข ย ย Experience in incorporating behavioural, institutional, or spatial dimensions into simulation models.
โข ย ย Capacity to translate model outputs into policy-relevant insights and communicate findings to both technical and non-technical audiences.
โข ย ย Knowledge of the political economy of agricultural systems and ability to analyse barriers to adoption and system transformation.
โข ย ย Experience in analytical writing, supported by a publication record in peer-reviewed journals.