Statistician

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Position Title: Statistician
Location: Rome
Country: Italy
Deadline Date:

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
The Statistics Division (ESS) of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is dedicated to developing and advocating for methodologies and standards for data collection, validation, processing, analysis, and dissemination in the food and agriculture statistics domains. Established to support member countries, the division plays a crucial role in compiling and disseminating internationally comparable data, while also providing essential capacity building. The division is responsible for publishing various materials, including statistical yearbooks and working papers, covering topics such as security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security, nutrition, prices, investments, production, trade, and agri-environmental data. The ESS Director also serves as the FAO Chief Statistician, ensuring governance of FAO's data and statistical systems, fostering consistency within the Strategic Framework, and promoting statistical excellence through quality assurance mechanisms. The division operates globally, supporting various functions and initiatives related to food and agriculture statistics.

Job Overview:
The Statistician will be a key member of the Dissemination and Outreach Team within the Statistics Division, focusing on the dissemination and promotion of statistical data and microdata related to FAO's mandate. The incumbent will be responsible for managing and enhancing FAO's dissemination platforms, which include FAOSTAT, RuLIS, DataExplorer Beta, and the Food and Agriculture Micro-data Catalogue. This role involves producing dissemination products and publications, providing user support, and conducting training sessions on the use of these platforms. The Statistician will also engage in developing statistical innovations related to dissemination, ensuring that FAO's data is accessible and effectively communicated to stakeholders. The position requires a strong emphasis on research and analysis, as well as the development and maintenance of specialized tools and methodologies to support the organization's work.

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 incumbent will develop and maintain technical, statistical, and analytical tools and systems, conduct research and validation of data, and produce technical reports and documentation. The Statistician will provide technical advice and assistance to regional and country offices, participate in multidisciplinary teams, and promote best practices in statistical methodologies. Additionally, the role involves planning and organizing training workshops, supporting resource mobilization activities, and advocating for international cooperation in statistical practices. The Statistician will also be responsible for overseeing the dissemination workflow, liaising with data-producing teams, and ensuring compliance with FAO's Corporate Statistical Standards.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in statistics, data science, 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 is required, particularly in managing statistical platforms and databases for dissemination. Proficiency in English (level C) and intermediate knowledge of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) is also necessary. The ideal candidate should demonstrate strong competencies in results focus, teamwork, communication, building effective relationships, and knowledge sharing.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree in a relevant field such as statistics, data science, mathematics, economics, or agricultural economics. This advanced degree is essential for understanding complex statistical methodologies and data analysis techniques necessary for the role.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least five years of relevant experience in the field of food and agricultural statistics, particularly in national or international organizations. This experience should focus on the management of statistical platforms and databases, as well as the development of relational and multidimensional data models. Experience in conducting quantitative analyses and presenting food and agricultural statistics using statistical software is also crucial.

Languages:
The mandatory language requirement for this position is a working knowledge of English at proficiency level C. Additionally, candidates must have intermediate knowledge (level B) of another FAO official language, which could be Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish. Proficiency in these languages is important for effective communication and collaboration within the organization and with external stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position is based at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy. The role is full-time and may involve international collaboration and outreach. Candidates should be prepared to engage in resource mobilization activities and contribute to the strategic goals of the organization. The position may also involve participation in international meetings and conferences, requiring a strong commitment to promoting best practices and knowledge sharing in the field of food and agriculture statistics.