National AIMS Technical Support

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations is dedicated to achieving security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security for all and ensuring that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. Established in 1945, FAO has grown to include 194 member countries and the European Union, with its headquarters in Rome, Italy. The organization operates in over 130 countries worldwide, working to eradicate hunger, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. FAO's Subregional Office for Southern Africa (SFS) focuses on addressing food, agriculture, and rural development priorities in the Southern African region, collaborating with various stakeholders to implement effective strategies and policies.

Job Overview:
The National AIMS Technical Support position is integral to the successful implementation of the Support Towards the Operationalization of the SADC Regional Agricultural Policy (STOSAR II) project. This role involves providing national-level statistical support for the preparation of AIMS datasets, ensuring that indicators are harmonized and metadata is developed in accordance with established standards. The incumbent will work closely with national technical teams and the AIMS Technical Working Group (TWG) to enhance the quality and reliability of agricultural data across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states. The position requires a strong understanding of agricultural statistics and the ability to facilitate the flow of information between national and regional platforms, ultimately contributing to improved food security and agricultural productivity in the region.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the National AIMS Technical Support include reviewing and harmonizing national AIMS indicators across priority thematic areas, aligning national indicator definitions with AIMS, CAADP, LIMS, and FAOSTAT requirements, and updating national AIMS metadata sheets. The incumbent will provide direct technical support to the national AIMS TWG, develop a national AIMS data-update workplan, and apply a rapid data-quality assessment protocol. Responsibilities also include validating datasets produced by the assigned Member State, preparing dataset validation notes, providing guidance on AIMS data formats and metadata templates, and supporting the mapping of national datasets to AIMS indicator structures. The role involves conducting checks for completeness and consistency, delivering virtual technical coaching sessions, preparing monthly progress summaries, and producing a final national technical report. Additionally, the incumbent will assist national AIMS focal points in data entry and perform quality checks on entered data.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in Statistics, Agricultural Statistics, Data Science, or a related field. A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in agricultural or national statistics systems is required. Candidates should have a working knowledge (level C) of English and must be nationals of Zimbabwe or residents with a valid work permit. The role demands strong analytical skills, effective communication abilities, and a collaborative approach to working with diverse teams.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree in Statistics, Agricultural Statistics, Data Science, or a related field is essential for this position. This educational background ensures that the candidate has the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills to perform complex statistical analyses and contribute to the development of agricultural data systems.

Experience:
The position requires at least 5 years of relevant experience in agricultural or national statistics systems. This experience should include a strong focus on data harmonization, metadata development, and familiarity with statistical methodologies. Candidates should have a proven track record of working with agricultural data systems and an understanding of the specific challenges and opportunities within the SADC region.

Languages:
A working knowledge (level C) of English is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages such as French or Portuguese would be considered an asset, as it would facilitate communication with a broader range of stakeholders within the SADC region.

Additional Notes:
This position is a full-time role based in Harare, Zimbabwe. The contract duration and specific terms of employment will be discussed during the interview process. The organization values diversity and encourages applications from qualified individuals regardless of gender, nationality, or background. Compensation and benefits will be competitive and aligned with FAO's policies.