Statistician

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

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
The Statistics Division (ESS) is a part of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) that focuses on developing and advocating for 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 covering 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 is instrumental in positioning FAO in global data and statistical discussions.

Job Overview:
The Statistician will be a key member of the Environment Statistics Team within the Statistics Division, focusing on the collection, analysis, and dissemination of data related to fertilizers, pesticides, and land use. This role involves developing methods and indicators that support sustainability and climate change analysis of agrifood systems. The incumbent will engage in research and analysis of information, data, and statistics, employing statistical methods and econometric modeling. The position requires the development and maintenance of specialized tools and methodologies to support the implementation and monitoring of the program of work and related products, projects, publications, and services. The Statistician will also provide technical assistance and support to data users and national experts worldwide, ensuring the effective dissemination of relevant global knowledge data products in FAOSTAT.

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 unstructured data science methods. The role involves developing improved technical, statistical, and analytical tools and systems, conducting research and data validation, and producing technical reports. The Statistician will provide technical and policy advice to regional and country offices, participate in multidisciplinary teams, and promote best practices. Additionally, the incumbent will be responsible for capacity development services, including planning and organizing training workshops, and will participate in resource mobilization activities in accordance with the Strategic Framework and divisional plans. The role also includes supporting the organization of meetings and consultations, contributing to international data processes, and enhancing the presentation and accessibility of FAOSTAT data.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in statistics, mathematics, economics, agricultural economics, data science, or a related field. They should have a minimum of five years of relevant experience in the compilation and analysis of food and agricultural statistics, particularly in the area of environment statistics. Proficiency in English at level C and intermediate knowledge of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) at level B is required. 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 in a relevant field such as statistics, mathematics, economics, agricultural economics, or data science. This advanced degree is crucial for understanding complex statistical methods and their applications in the context of food and agriculture statistics.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of relevant experience in the field of food and agricultural statistics, with a specific focus on environment statistics. Candidates should have experience working in national or international organizations and should demonstrate a strong command of statistical methods and data analysis techniques. Experience in capacity development programs and the ability to conduct training and technical assistance are also important.

Languages:
The mandatory language requirement for this position is a working knowledge of English at proficiency level C. Additionally, candidates should have intermediate knowledge of another FAO official language, which could be Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish, at proficiency level B. This bilingual capability is essential for effective communication within the organization and with international stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The position is based at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy. It is important to note that the role may involve participation in international meetings and conferences, requiring the incumbent to advocate for best practices and provide technical expertise. The position may also involve resource mobilization activities aligned with the Strategic Framework and divisional plans. The specific contract duration and seniority level are not mentioned in the job description, but candidates should be prepared for a full-time commitment.