National Data Systems Expert

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is an agency that leads international efforts to defeat hunger and improve nutrition and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security. Established in 1945, FAO has a mission to help eliminate hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition, make agriculture, forestry, and fisheries more productive and sustainable, reduce rural poverty, and enable inclusive and efficient agricultural and food systems. The organization operates in over 130 countries and has a workforce of more than 12,000 employees. FAO's work is guided by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which aims to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.

Job Overview:
The National Data Systems Expert will play a crucial role in supporting climate and environmental data management at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Sierra Leone. This position is integral to the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) readiness project, which aims to enhance climate risk management in key sectors. The expert will be responsible for collecting, validating, standardizing, and uploading climate data into the Centre for Environmental Data and Statistics (CEDAS). This role requires ensuring the accuracy, completeness, and security of data, as well as providing system configuration support, user training, and documentation to facilitate seamless data integration and management. The expert will also engage with various stakeholders, including government institutions, NGOs, and local communities, to strengthen the capacity of CEDAS and promote effective climate information dissemination.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The National Data Systems Expert will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including: conducting data gaps and needs assessments by identifying existing climate data sources and gaps at policy, institutional, and technical levels; facilitating the uploading of collected data into CEDAS; supporting the installation and configuration of geospatial software and equipment; delivering training sessions and maintaining attendance records; demonstrating the CEDAS platform to stakeholders; providing technical assistance for data formatting and mapping; conducting data quality checks and compiling routine data management reports; logging system issues and errors, documenting their impact, and referring issues requiring further action to the supervisor.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in information technology, Environmental Data Science, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), or a related field such as Statistics, Data Management, or Software Engineering. Additionally, a minimum of five years of experience in environmental assessment implementation, climate data collection, and capacity building using Geo-Spatial Tools is required. Candidates should also have a working knowledge of English and be nationals of Sierra Leone.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master’s degree in relevant fields such as information technology, Environmental Data Science, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Statistics, Data Management, or Software Engineering. This advanced education is essential to ensure that the candidate has the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills to perform the duties of the role effectively.

Experience:
The position requires at least five years of relevant experience in the implementation of environmental assessments, climate data collection, and related capacity building initiatives. Candidates should have proven experience in data entry, validation, and management within centralized or cloud-based data systems, as well as familiarity with data standards, formats, and validation techniques. Experience in organizing and conducting workshops and training sessions related to climate change adaptation and project implementation is also essential.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of local languages is considered an asset, as it may facilitate better communication with local stakeholders and communities involved in climate adaptation efforts.

Additional Notes:
This position is part of a project funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and focuses on enhancing climate risk management in Sierra Leone. The role is expected to involve collaboration with various stakeholders, including government institutions, NGOs, and the private sector. The expert will work under the supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative Programme and the National Project Coordinator, with support from the Senior Technical Adviser and the Project Management Unit (PMU). The position may involve full-time engagement and is aimed at recruiting a national expert.