Statistical/Research Assistant

Job Posting Organization:
The job posting organization is the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), which is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Established in 1945, FAO has a mission to help eliminate food insecurity and malnutrition, promote sustainable agriculture, and improve the livelihoods of rural populations. The organization operates in over 130 countries and has a workforce of approximately 12,000 employees. FAO's Statistics Division (ESS) is responsible for developing methodologies and standards for data collection, validation, processing, and analysis of food and agriculture statistics, playing a crucial role in the dissemination of internationally comparable data and providing capacity-building support to member nations.

Job Overview:
The Statistical/Research Assistant position is integral to the Statistics Division (ESS) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy. The incumbent will perform and coordinate a comprehensive range of technical, procedural, and record-keeping support duties that contribute to the collection and presentation of statistical data. This role is essential for ensuring the quality, validity, and consistency of data and information produced within the area of responsibility. The Statistical/Research Assistant will work under the direct supervision of the Senior Statistician/Team Leader of the Crops, Livestock and Food Statistics (CLFS) and will receive general supervision from the Director and/or Deputy Director of ESS. The position requires initiative and independent judgment, with a focus on the quality and validity of results. The incumbent may also provide procedural and technical guidance to other statistical support staff, fostering a collaborative working environment.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Statistical/Research Assistant include selecting and extracting relevant data for the construction and updating of databases or other statistical materials. The incumbent will assist with specialized research and regularly update statistical information available on the Organization's website. Responsibilities also include drafting and editing statistical reports, including tables and graphs for analysis, and reviewing data prior to processing for computer storage or analysis. The Statistical/Research Assistant will cross-check data in a database to identify and rectify inconsistencies, assist with the production of tabulations for publications and ad hoc reports, and use and customize statistical software to respond to data editing requests from various clients. Additionally, the incumbent will prepare statistical material and documentation for internal and international meetings, use statistical software for specific analyses and program edits, provide guidance to staff on relevant statistical methods, and recommend improvements to operating procedures and systems used. Other duties may be assigned as required, and the incumbent's work will directly impact the quality and consistency of statistical and research support activities.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a secondary school education and have a minimum of four years of experience in statistical support work. A working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English is mandatory. Candidates should also have very good knowledge of standard MS Office applications, internet, and office technology equipment. It is important to note that General Service Staff are recruited locally, meaning candidates must be nationals of Italy or possess a valid visa or work permit to work in the country and reside within commuting distance of the duty station at the time of application.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position is a secondary school education. This foundational education is essential for understanding the basic principles of statistical analysis and data management, which are critical for the role of Statistical/Research Assistant.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of four years of experience in statistical support work. This experience should include familiarity with data collection, processing, and analysis, as well as the ability to work with statistical software and databases. Candidates should demonstrate a solid understanding of statistical methods and practices, as well as experience in drafting and editing reports and presentations based on statistical data.

Languages:
A working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English is mandatory for this position. Additionally, intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of another FAO official language such as Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish is desirable. This multilingual capability is beneficial for collaborating with diverse teams and stakeholders within the organization.

Additional Notes:
The position is classified as a General Service Staff role, which means that candidates must be nationals of Italy or possess a valid work permit to be eligible for recruitment. The role is full-time, and candidates must reside within commuting distance of the duty station at the time of application. The organization emphasizes the importance of results focus, teamwork, communication, building effective relationships, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement. Candidates should possess thorough knowledge of global agricultural production and trade statistics, contemporary software used for data compilation and analysis, and relevant corporate computerized systems, policies, and procedures. Desirable qualifications include very good knowledge of Central Product Classification (CPC), the Harmonized System (HS) international classifications, and statistical software such as R.