Statistician

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Established in 1945, FAO has a mission to achieve security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. The organization operates in over 130 countries and employs thousands of staff members worldwide, working towards the transformation of agrifood systems to be more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable. FAO's office in Lebanon focuses on addressing food, agriculture, and rural development priorities in the country, collaborating with local ministries and stakeholders to develop policies and programs aimed at improving food security and reducing malnutrition.

Job Overview:
The Statistician position at FAO in Beirut is crucial for the implementation of the Census of Agriculture project, which aligns with the World Census of Agriculture (WCA) 2030 standards. The incumbent will work under the supervision of the FAO Representative in Lebanon and will be responsible for providing technical expertise in the design and execution of the census. This role involves collaboration with both international and national consultants, ensuring that the methodologies and tools developed are effective and sustainable. The Statistician will also play a key role in capacity building, training local staff, and ensuring that knowledge is transferred effectively to sustain the project's achievements. The position requires a strong focus on technical support, training development, and collaboration with various stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of the census.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Statistician include: assessing the capacities of core census staff and preparing training materials; collaborating with the International Statistician to develop legislative and regulatory texts for the Agricultural Census; creating cost-effective census methodologies and instruments; providing technical support for Training of Trainers (ToT) sessions; preparing materials for users-producers consultation workshops; participating in field-testing of the census questionnaire; compiling initial listing frames from available data sources; ensuring effective knowledge transfer to national staff; preparing End of Mission reports; contributing to the main Census of Agriculture project document; and providing technical expertise for any other necessary activities related to the project's success.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a university degree in statistics, agricultural statistics, agricultural economics, or a related field. A minimum of 7 years of professional experience in agricultural censuses and surveys is required. Candidates should have a working knowledge of both English and Arabic, and must be nationals of Lebanon or residents with a valid work permit. Additionally, candidates should demonstrate excellent management capabilities, teamwork skills, and the ability to produce high-quality reports. Practical experience in similar roles, good organizational skills, and proficiency in French are desirable. Familiarity with computers and the Microsoft Suite, strong analytical and problem-solving skills, and experience in partnership development and capacity building are also important.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a university degree in statistics, with a specialization in agricultural statistics, agricultural economics, or a related field. This educational foundation is essential for understanding the complexities of agricultural data collection and analysis, as well as for developing effective methodologies for the census.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least 7 years of professional experience specifically related to agricultural censuses and surveys. This experience should encompass the organization and implementation of such projects, demonstrating a deep understanding of the processes involved in agricultural data collection and analysis.

Languages:
A working knowledge of English and Arabic is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in French is considered desirable, as it may enhance communication with a broader range of stakeholders. Knowledge of other relevant languages is also advantageous, as it can facilitate collaboration in multicultural environments.

Additional Notes:
This position is based in Beirut, Lebanon, and is likely to be a full-time role. The FAO emphasizes the importance of building effective relationships and knowledge sharing, which are core competencies for this position. The organization may also offer various benefits and opportunities for professional development, although specific details regarding compensation and contract duration are not provided in the job description.