Latin America and the Caribbean Regional Food Security Specialist-Markets and Trade

Chemonics International Inc., a leading international consulting firm based in Washington, D.C., seeks experienced professionals for the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET III), the world's premier provider of high quality food security analysis and early warning. FEWS NET aims to collaborate with international, regional, and national partners to provide timely and rigorous early warning and analysis of potential, emerging, and/or evolving food security issues in order to inform appropriate humanitarian response. The project currently covers 36 countries, with plans to expand over the coming five-year phase. This position is based in Guatemala City, Guatemala.
Chemonics International Inc. is looking for individuals who have a passion for making a difference in the lives of people around the world.
Job Description
The Regional Food Security Specialist-Markets and Trade (RFSS/MT) will work with the Regional Technical Manager (RTM), the country teams in the region, M&T team from Home Office (HO) and partners including but not exclusively OIMA, CAC, USDA, WFP, FAO, and national Market Information Systems to provide technical leadership to design, execute, and coordinate regional activities related to Markets and Trade in LAC. These will include preparing country-level and regional market studies, providing technical assistance and guidance to country teams, strengthening capacity to conduct relevant market analysis both inside and outside FEWS NET, and contributing to project-level data management and quality control specially focused on data warehouse (FDW).

Responsibilities
The main activities of the RFSS/MT will include, but are not limited to:
Monitoring, analysis, and reporting
  • Contribute to the production of monthly regional reports and, as needed, ad hoc decision-support products for USAID.
  • Gather and analyze market data. Help establishing and/or maintaining systematic and efficient data collection and management processes among country, regional, and home office staff.
  • Work in the implementation of data ware house.
  • Work with the regional M&T network in its different products and support the process of institutionalization with CAC.
  • Monitor and analyze market and policy developments. Identify emerging regional market issues and provide input into the analysis of regional and local food security conditions.
  • Coordinate and provide technical leaders in FEWS NET’s participation in seasonal field assessments in the region and contribute to assessment reports.
·         Support the development of M&T knowledge base products, as they relate to staple food, cash crop, and labor markets.
·         Provide support to the supply and market activities.
·         Provide ad hoc assistance on M&T analysis to the regional office as required.

Technical capacity development and guidance
  • Provide ad hoc technical assistance and guidance to enable National Technical Managers in the region to deliver high-quality market information and analyses.
  • Design and coordinate/execute activities to build and maintain an up-to-date knowledge base on regional markets for food commodities and livestock.
  • Provide technical assistance and guidance for remote monitoring start-up activities and market monitoring in established non-presence countries.
  • Transfer knowledge and provide short-term training to monitor, analyze, and report on food commodity markets and other markets that affect livelihoods.
  • Contributing to FEWS NET methods development and testing;
  • Provide technical leadership to the region in the use of the FEWS NET data warehouse for managing and analyzing price data.
  • Provide technical leadership in designing and implementing primary market data collection in the region
  • Share successful experiences and best practices in market monitoring, communication of market information, and institutional strengthening with FEWS NET country and regional teams in other regions.
Leadership, representation, and liaison
  • Contribute to the identification of priority markets and trade activities in line with the strategic orientations of the FEWS NET project. Design, execute, and direct technical and operational work.
  • Monitor and, as appropriate, contribute to activities undertaken outside FEWS NET that aim to enhance capabilities in market monitoring, early warning, and food assistance decision support. Seek collaboration with regional partners to enhance the quality and impact of FEWS NET markets and trade work.
  • Liaise with regional partners to exchange information and promote a dialogue on market and institutional issues pertaining to food security, early warning, and preparedness.
  • Bring together efforts from food security partners to improve the quality of market and food security information.
  • Contribute to FEWS NET’s capacity building and institutional strengthening objectives.
  • Assisting the RTM in carrying out other technical, management, and representational functions of the regional office upon request 
Qualifications

  • MA/MS degree in economics, agricultural economics or related discipline;
  • At least five years of relevant regional experience in agricultural economics and/or markets and trade with direct application in food security and early warning;
  • Demonstrated  ability  to  work  and  coordinate  effectively  with  regional  partners  and stakeholders;
  • Highly desirable experience with the Market Information Systems of Central America and OIMA Network.
  • Knowledge of M&T with applicable analytical skills either through teaching experience and/or professional experience on food security projects; and
  • Excellent communication, analytical and report-writing skills in English and Spanish. French will be a plus
  • Must be resident in any of the countries: Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras or Nicaragua 

Interested candidates must submit CV, cover letter in English summarizing his/her work experience, certified copy of academic accreditations, each of the qualifications for the position, three professional references, salary history and salary certifications. Please send all information electronically only to MTFEWSNETGUATEMALA@gmail.com with the position title in the email subject line, no later than close of business Thursday, October 15th. Finalists will be contacted. No telephone enquiries please.