Livestock Agent Based Modeller

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• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture.
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply;
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination　　
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality

FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

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 Focus

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 agents—such as farmers, input suppliers, and regulators—and 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\:
• Design and implement an ABM to simulate the adoption and diffusion of methane mitigation technologies in the dairy sector.
• Develop behavioural rules for different types of agents, incorporating economic, social, and institutional drivers.
• Integrate farm-level technical and economic data into the ABM framework, using inputs from existing models where relevant.
• Conduct scenario analyses to evaluate the system-wide effects of policy interventions on technology uptake and emission outcomes.
• 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

• 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.
• 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.
• Working knowledge of English

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Extent and relevance of experience in the design and application of Agent-Based Models, preferably in agriculture, livestock, or natural resource management.
• Familiarity with modelling platforms such as NetLogo, AnyLogic, Repast, GAMA, Mesa, or similar agent-based modelling environments.
• Experience in incorporating behavioural, institutional, or spatial dimensions into simulation models.
• Capacity to translate model outputs into policy-relevant insights and communicate findings to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Knowledge of the political economy of agricultural systems and ability to analyse barriers to adoption and system transformation.
• Experience in analytical writing, supported by a publication record in peer-reviewed journals.

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency

HOW TO APPLY

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

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