National Consultant Statistician

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Established in 1945, FAO's mission is 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. With 195 Members, including 194 countries and the European Union, FAO operates in over 130 countries worldwide. The organization aims to support the transformation to more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems, contributing to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through its Strategic Framework. FAO Country Offices provide policy advice and support to countries, facilitating partnerships and resources to deliver technical assistance and develop capacities while adhering to international standards of accountability.

Job Overview:
The National Consultant Statistician position is located in the FAO Country Office in Baghdad, Iraq. This role is crucial for supporting the preparatory phase of the Agricultural Census, which aligns with the World Programme for the Census of Agriculture (WCA). The WCA promotes a standardized approach for conducting national agricultural censuses every ten years. The consultant will work closely with the Government of Iraq to strengthen the capacity of the national statistical authority, ensuring effective planning and implementation of the census. This includes defining the census methodology, establishing operational arrangements, and developing comprehensive project documents, budgets, and work plans. The consultant will also be responsible for providing technical services and liaising with international consultants to ensure the project's success.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The National Consultant Statistician will have a variety of responsibilities, including: assessing the capacities of the Core Census Team and preparing training materials; supporting the adoption of legislative texts on the census; developing cost-effective census methodologies and instruments; organizing Training of Trainers (ToT) sessions; conducting user-producer workshops to discuss census content; participating in field-testing of the census questionnaire; compiling an initial listing frame based on available data; assisting the census office with technical activities; ensuring knowledge transfer to national staff; preparing End of Mission reports; and assisting in the finalization of the main census project document.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in data processing with a specialization in agricultural statistics. They should have at least 5 years of experience in agricultural census and surveys, particularly in middle-income countries. A working knowledge of English and Arabic is required, along with being a national of Iraq or a resident with a valid work permit. Additionally, candidates should demonstrate excellent management capabilities, teamwork skills, and the ability to produce professional quality reports.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree in data processing, specifically with a focus on agricultural statistics. This advanced degree is essential for understanding the complexities of agricultural data and the methodologies used in conducting agricultural censuses.

Experience:
Candidates are expected to have a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in agricultural census and surveys. This experience should ideally be in middle-income countries, where the candidate has been involved in organizing and implementing such surveys. The role demands a solid understanding of agricultural statistics and the ability to apply this knowledge in practical settings.

Languages:
The mandatory languages for this position are English and Arabic. Candidates must have a working knowledge of both languages to effectively communicate and collaborate with local stakeholders and international consultants involved in the project.

Additional Notes:
This position is a consultancy role, and candidates will be assessed based on their qualifications and experience. The role is full-time and involves working closely with the FAO Country Office in Baghdad. The consultant will be expected to engage in various technical activities to ensure the success of the Agricultural Census project, and there may be opportunities for international collaboration as part of the project implementation.