Consultant/PSA Subscriber

Job Posting Organization:
The Statistics Division (ESS) is a part of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) that focuses on developing and advocating for methodologies and standards for data collection, validation, processing, and analysis of food and agriculture statistics. Established to enhance the quality and comparability of agricultural data globally, the division plays a crucial role in compiling, processing, and disseminating internationally comparable data. It also provides essential capacity-building support to member countries. The division is involved in managing large-scale projects aimed at improving statistical methodologies and establishing best practices for data relevant to security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security, agriculture, and rural areas. ESS disseminates numerous publications, working papers, and statistical yearbooks that cover various agricultural and food security statistics, including prices, production, trade, and agri-environmental data.

Job Overview:
The position of Consultant/PSA Subscriber within the Statistics Division (ESS) is designed for individuals with expertise in data science techniques, particularly in Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Artificial Intelligence (AI). The role emphasizes the application of these techniques to agricultural data science and predictive analytics, food security and nutrition analytics, advanced AI-driven data processing and visualization, automated data collection, and the integration of AI in statistical projects. The successful candidate will be expected to address complex analytical questions involving heterogeneous data sources and varying data quality while ensuring methodological rigor and transparency in their analyses. This position requires a strong focus on utilizing AI methods, including machine learning models and large language models, to enhance the interpretation and decision-making processes related to agricultural and food security statistics.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities for the Consultant/PSA Subscriber position include contributing to methodological development in statistics and data science methods, designing and implementing advanced data collection processes and analytical frameworks, and driving the analysis and dissemination of complex datasets. The role involves utilizing technologies for text mining and LLMs to extract insights from unstructured data, translating analytical questions into appropriate statistical approaches, and critically assessing analytical results. Additionally, the consultant will prepare clear narratives to communicate findings to non-technical audiences, ensure reproducibility and quality control of analytical workflows, and engage in statistical capacity development by providing technical assistance and training.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in data science, statistics, economics, computer science, or a related field recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO. Those with a bachelor's degree must have two additional years of relevant professional experience. A minimum of one year of relevant experience in data science, machine learning, NLP, or AI is required, along with a working knowledge of English at level C. Candidates should demonstrate proficiency in performing the tasks and responsibilities outlined in the job description, with experience in data exploration, preprocessing, and transformation techniques for diverse data types.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in relevant fields such as data science, statistics, economics, or computer science. Candidates with a bachelor's degree must have two additional years of relevant professional experience to qualify for the position.

Experience:
The position requires at least one year of relevant experience in data science, machine learning, natural language processing, artificial intelligence, or related fields. Candidates should have demonstrated experience in performing the outlined tasks and responsibilities in statistical or data science fields, with a strong foundation in deploying and customizing large language models for NLP tasks.

Languages:
A working knowledge of English (level C) is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of a second FAO language will be considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's profile and ability to communicate effectively in a multilingual environment.

Additional Notes:
The job does not specify a deadline for applications, and it is important for candidates to be aware of the potential for remote work options. The position may involve full-time or part-time commitments, and candidates should be prepared for the possibility of international recruitment. Compensation and benefits details are not provided in the job description, but candidates can expect a competitive package commensurate with their experience and qualifications.