Introduction
Since its establishment in 1985, the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) project aims to sustainably prevent food insecurity and famine across the globe by delivering to the U.S. Government and partners early warning on the location, causes, and magnitude of current and future food insecurity; improving the quality and timeliness of information and analysis useful for achieving sustainable food security; and strengthening innovative local, national, regional, and international capabilities to understand and appropriately address current, recurrent, and likely future food insecurity. Chemonics has been implementing FEWS NET since 2000, beginning its eighth phase (FEWS NET 8) in 2024.
FEWS NET 8 Knowledge Base (KB) is a $65 million project which will, among others, create and update FEWS NET’s knowledge base about market systems on which FEWS NET’s acute food insecurity early warning analyses are predicated.
These updated products will better equip FEWS NET analysts to monitor key commodity markets and assess food availability, affordability, and access to project food security status. Updated market information for commodities key to food and/or income data will ensure that FEWS NET scenario development and decision support are based on accurate and time-relevant understandings of people’s capacity to access food throughout the year, the capacity of the market system to operate in a competitive way to meet the population’s needs and to provide relevant services, and to efficiently distribute key commodities throughout the country. More explicitly, Market Fundamentals (MF) research explores the market conditions and market dynamics during a typical year, for commodities that represent the most significant sources of food kilocalories or income for poor households. This market knowledge base will be valid for at least the next five to ten years, barring structural shifts in the overall market system and its enabling environment.
Chemonics is seeking one Market Fundamentals Research Consultant (the “Consultant”) to support FEWS NET 8 KB Market Fundamentals research activities. The Consultant will provide specialized support in secondary quantitative data analysis, literature review, and report writing for Market Fundamentals (MF) Reports across multiple countries. In some cases, the Consultant may also be responsible for supporting the writing and compilation of country-level MF Reports, depending on country-specific needs and timelines.
The anticipated period of performance for this consultancy runs from May to October 2026 with the possibility of adjustments based on project needs.
Position Description
The Consultant will collaborate closely with the FEWS NET KB MF team, and other collaborators as necessary, to support the research and analytical work underpinning country-level MF reports (MFR). The Consultant’s work will span multiple countries, with responsibilities shifting across the portfolio depending on country sequencing and implementation needs. Core responsibilities include sourcing secondary data, conducting quantitative analysis, reviewing relevant literature, and contributing to the drafting of MF Reports.
Responsibilities
The Consultant will work under the technical direction of the Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) for Market Fundamentals or a designee. The Consultant will collaborate with other KB staff to ensure alignment between analytical outputs, process documentation, and data management workflows.
The following responsibilities apply to the Consultant across all assigned countries. Activities will follow a staggered schedule to accommodate overlapping country timelines and implementation needs.
● Desk Research
o Identify and source nationally representative secondary quantitative data at the household or aggregate level related to agricultural production and markets, income generating activities, and food security-related themes, drawing from national and international sources (e.g., national statistics offices and household survey programs).
o Identify and compile existing literature in topics relevant to Market Fundamentals analyses.
o Document data sources, methodologies, gaps, and limitations to ensure transparency and reproducibility of the analytical work.
● Literature Review
o Critically review compiled sources to extract relevant findings on market structure, commodity dynamics, socioeconomic and food security conditions for assigned countries.
o Synthesize findings into structured summaries to serve as analytical inputs for MF Report drafting.
● Quantitative Analysis
o Conduct data analysis to support MF research questions, including analysis of production and price trends, market integration, and various socioeconomic indicators.
o Prepare data visualizations, tables, and figures to support report writing and communication of findings.
o Collaborate with the KB Team to ensure consistency of data inputs, analytical approaches, and outputs across countries.
o Support the development or adaptation of replicable analytical scripts in R, Python, Stata, or similar tools (e.g., for data cleaning, analysis, and visualizations) and workflows to standardize quantitative analysis approaches across countries.
● Report Writing
o Support report drafting either by leading the write up of specific inputs or coordinating the drafting of report sections by compiling contributions from multiple authors.
o Incorporate feedback from the DCOP, Market Research Advisor, and other MF team members in iterative drafts.
o Ensure that all written outputs reflect FEWS NET’s analytical standards, are grounded in evidence, and are clearly communicated for their intended audience of food security analysts and decision-makers.
● Team Collaboration and Communication
o Maintain close and regular communication with the KB team providing timely updates on progress, emerging analytical findings, and any challenges.
o Participate in team meetings, debriefs, and coordination calls as needed.
o Contribute to the documentation of methodological decisions and lessons learned to support the quality and replicability of MF research across countries.
Timeline of Activities
The consultancy is expected to run from May through October 2026. The anticipated LOE requirements are six (6) months full-time equivalent.
Deliverables
The following deliverables will be submitted for each country supported:
● Raw and cleaned/analytical datasets, properly organized and labeled
● Literature and other resources used, properly organized and labeled
● Script documenting all steps related to data manipulation and analysis
● Summary tables, charts, graphics, and other visualizations made to illustrate the results in editable format
● Drafts of assigned write ups
● Any other summary material as requested by the KB team
Requirements
● Bachelor’s degree required; Advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) preferred in agricultural economics, development economics, applied statistics, or a closely related field.
● Minimum five years of professional experience in quantitative research, or related applied economics work in international development with focus on poverty, agriculture, or food security analyses for countries in Africa, Asia, and/or Latin America.
● Demonstrated experience conducting secondary data analysis using statistical and/or programming tools (e.g., R, Python, Stata, or equivalent).
● Experience analyzing agricultural production and market, and other contextual data.
● Experience with household survey data analysis (e.g., LSMS, DHS, HEA, or equivalent surveys used in poverty and food security analyses).
● Strong experience with literature review and synthesis of quantitative evidence from multiple sources.
● Proven report writing skills, with the ability to communicate complex analytical findings clearly for non-specialist audiences.
● Experience coordinating multi-author reports or research products.
● Ability to work independently in a remote environment, manage multiple workstreams simultaneously, and meet deadlines.
● Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
● Knowledge of another language (French, Spanish) desired.
Location
This consultancy is US-based and fully remote. The Consultant must be authorized to work in the United States. No domestic or international travel is required. All coordination and collaboration with the FEWS NET 8 KB Market Fundamentals team will be conducted virtually.
Length of Assignment
This assignment is expected to last for about six (6) months at full-time equivalent level of effort.
Supervision
The Consultant will report to the FEWS NET 8 Base Knowledge DCOP for Market Fundamentals, unless otherwise notified.
Application Instructions
Please apply via this form by April 17, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET. No telephone inquiries, please. Chemonics will contact short-listed candidates.
