Responsibilities

The main responsibilities of the Middle East and Europe RTSS–M&T include, but are not limited to:

• Contribute to the identification of priority M&T activities in line with the strategic orientation of FEWS NET’s work.
• Provide regional leadership for the identification, review, and compilation of appropriate market data, including but not limited to, staple food prices, exchange rates, consumer price indices, trade flows (formal and informal), crop production, and commodity balance sheet estimates in countries monitored by FEWS NET within the region and relevant trade partners.
• Monitor and analyze market and policy developments concerning staple food commodities, livestock, cash crops, and other commodities relevant to livelihoods and food security analysis within the region. Identify emerging regional market issues and provide input into the analysis of regional and local food security conditions.
• Prepare regional analysis in support of FEWS NETs integrated food security analysis, which may include but are not limited to: commodity balance sheets and supply updates, monthly Price Watch reports, and regional market assumptions.
• Provide training and technical support to regional staff in market and trade analysis including but not limited to, the analysis of agricultural production, trade flow, and supply trends, price trends, economic indicators, and how to carry out price projections following the FEWS NET methodology.
• Collaborate with regional technical specialists to ensure alignment between conflict, livelihoods, agroclimatology and M&T assumptions.
• Support the M&T advisor in meeting USAID’s expectations on timely delivery of decision support products, which include, but are not limited to: responding to urgent questions within one day; providing briefings within one week of request; and contributing M&T analysis to requests for acute food insecurity analysis in countries that fall within region of coverage that will be delivered within one week of USAID request.
• Design and execute activities within the region to build and maintain an up-to-date evidence base and market monitoring plan for markets and trade related information relevant to acute food insecurity analysis, including but not limited to: food and cash crop commodities, labor, and livestock markets in the region. Evidence base components may include commodity balance sheets, production and price databases, seasonal monitoring plans, and other products as required. As part of this responsibility, closely collaborate with the FEWS NET Knowledge Base mechanisms to support development of Market Fundamentals reports for countries that fall within the region of coverage.
• Provide consistent technical assistance and guidance to FEWS NET country offices within the region on how to gather and analyze M&T-related information as it pertains to food security analysis, early warning, and food assistance decision support. This may include assistance with the design and implementation of market assessments, market studies, and with the improvement of monitoring methods. The RTSS-M&T may also be asked to lead or engage in market assessments in the region, including partner assessments.
• Lead capacity building activities to build the skills of colleagues at the home, regional, and country offices on M&T analysis, including processes for the review and use of M&T data. Capacity development initiatives include conducting regular onboarding trainings, as well as refresher trainings.
• Organize and lead monthly technical coordination and work planning conference calls between the home office and regional office to provide an update on emerging market issues within the region and coordinate on key ongoing or planned activities.
• In collaboration with the home office, support the development and implementation of M&T related guidance and training modules to strength the capacity of the FEWS NET DST on M&T dynamics and integration into acute food insecurity early warning.