Statistician

Job Posting Organization:
The Statistics Division (ESS) of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is dedicated to developing and advocating for the implementation of methodologies and standards for data collection, validation, processing, and analysis in the food and agriculture statistics domains. Established to support member countries, the division plays a crucial role in compiling, processing, and disseminating internationally comparable data. It also provides essential capacity building and disseminates various publications, working papers, and statistical yearbooks that cover agriculture and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security statistics. The ESS Director also serves as the FAO Chief Statistician, ensuring governance of FAO's data and statistical system, fostering consistency within the Strategic Framework, and promoting statistical excellence through quality assurance mechanisms. The division's work is vital in global discussions on data and statistics.

Job Overview:
The Statistician will work within the Food Security and Nutrition Statistics team in the Statistics Division at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy. This position involves contributing to the production and dissemination of statistics related to Food Security and Nutrition, Food and Diet, and the Cost and Affordability of Healthy Diets. The incumbent will provide statistical expertise to improve existing methods and develop new methodologies for generating food security and nutrition statistics. This includes compiling, processing, validating, analyzing, storing, and disseminating data, with a focus on experience-based food security scales. The role requires ensuring the correct application of statistical methods to estimate various indicators of food insecurity and producing high-quality documents and statistical tools. Collaboration with external stakeholders, including national statistical offices and international organizations, is also a key aspect of this position.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Statistician include collecting, reviewing, processing, and analyzing key social, economic, and environmental indicators using both traditional statistical methods and data science techniques. The role involves developing improved technical, statistical, and analytical tools, conducting research and data collection, and producing technical reports. The Statistician will provide technical and policy advice to various FAO offices and participate in multidisciplinary teams to promote best practices. Additionally, the incumbent will support capacity development services, organize training workshops, and contribute to resource mobilization activities. Specific functions include maintaining and refining methodologies for food insecurity indicators, analyzing results for inconsistencies, and providing technical assistance to national statistical offices. The role also involves disseminating results and contributing to the publication of reports and scientific papers.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in statistics, mathematics, economics, agricultural economics, or a related field. A minimum of five years of relevant experience in the compilation and analysis of food and agricultural statistics, particularly in methodological development and production of food security statistics, is required. Proficiency in English (level C) and intermediate knowledge of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) is also necessary. Competencies such as results focus, teamwork, communication, building effective relationships, and knowledge sharing are essential for this role.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree, specifically a Master’s degree or equivalent, in fields related to statistics, mathematics, economics, or agricultural economics. This educational foundation is crucial for understanding and applying complex statistical methods and theories relevant to food security and nutrition statistics.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of five years of relevant experience in the field of food and agricultural statistics, particularly focusing on the methodological development and production of food security statistics. Experience in both national and international organizations is preferred, with a strong emphasis on statistical analysis and data compilation.

Languages:
Proficiency in English is mandatory, with a requirement for intermediate knowledge of another FAO official language such as Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish. This linguistic capability is essential for effective communication and collaboration within the organization and with external stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Rome, Italy, at the FAO headquarters. While the deadline for application is not specified, candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. The role is full-time and may involve international collaboration and travel. The organization offers competitive compensation and benefits, including opportunities for professional development and capacity building.