Statistician (Economic Statistics) , Food and Agriculture Organization

The Statistics Division develops, and advocates for the implementation of methodologies and standards for data collection, validation, processing and analysis of food and agriculture statistics. In these statistical domains, it also plays a vital role in the compilation, processing and dissemination of internationally comparable data, and provides essential capacity building support to member countries. In addition, the Division disseminates many publications, working papers and statistical yearbooks, that cover agricultural and food security relevant statistics (including prices, investments, production, trade and agri-environmental statistical data).

The Economic Team is responsible to provide a global evidence base to monitor trends in agricultural investment and inform policy and decision making and ESS is developing a new program on Investment Statistics. These datasets include Agricultural Capital Stock, Government Expenditures in Agriculture and Rural Development, Official Development Assistance to Agriculture, (domestic) Credit to Agriculture, Foreign Direct Investment in Agriculture, Foreign Remittances, Country Investment Profiles, and Agro-industry measurement. The approach relies on harvesting, where possible, data from other international organizations and from official country websites in order to minimize cost, duplication and burden; and using questionnaire-based data collection when necessary detail is not otherwise available.

The post is located in Rome

Reporting Lines

The Statistician reports to the Team Leader of the Economic Statistics Team

Technical Focus

Compile, process, validate, analyze and publish data and metadata related to agricultural investment statistics.

Key Results

Research and analysis of information, data and statistics, and the maintenance and updating of related tools, methodologies, and/or databases to support the delivery of programme products, projects, publications, and services.

Key Functions

· Researches and analyzes [agricultural, economic, trade, market, social, environmental, nutrition/food composition and/or gender related] data, statistics and information to provide technical, statistical and/or policy related information and analysis to support the delivery of economic and social development programmes work, products, projects, publications and services;

· Produces a variety of technical reports and input for technical documents, Departmental publications and/or web pages;

· Provides technical, statistical, and/or analytical services on various studies, projects, and/or assessments and provides technical backstopping to field projects;

· Participates in the development of improved/updated technical, statistical and/or analytical tools, methodologies, systems, databases, and/or key social/ economic/ environmental/ nutritional and/or early warning indicators, etc;

· Participates on multi-disciplinary teams, collaborates with other departments and agencies on work groups and committees and promotes best practices;

· Collaborates in capacity development activities involving the planning and organizing of training workshops, seminars, and major meetings and the preparation of related information, materials, on-line tools and information kits;

· Promotes knowledge sharing and best practices at international meetings and conferences and influences partners in stakeholder consultations;

· Participates in resource mobilization activities.

Specific Functions

· Develops and updates global databases on agricultural capital stock, investment statistics, and agro-industry statistics.

· Identifies, assesses and utilizes country-level data from official secondary sources (e.g. OECD, central bank websites, UNSD, etc.) to compile global databases; and develops, implements and coordinates questionnaire-based data collection, as needed.

· Presents databases and statistical results to internal and external stakeholders, for validation and improvement.

· Participates in the coordination of an inter-departmental working group on investment statistics, extending it to include interested officials in other relevant UN agencies, including IFAD and WFP.

· Supports the coordination of the FAO expenditure reporting to the OECD of development assistance flows, in cooperation with other FAO departments (e.g. Office of Strategy, Planning and Resources Management (OSP), Technical Cooperation Department TCD).

Candidates will be assessed against the following

Minimum Requirements

· Advanced university degree in economics or statistics.

· Five years of relevant experience in the compilation, analysis, validation and dissemination of data, metadata and analysis related to economic statistics in national or international organizations.

· Working knowledge of English or French and limited knowledge of one of the other or Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, or Russian.

Competencies

· Results Focus

· Team Work

· Communication

· Building effective relationships

· Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

· Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is desirable

· Extent and relevance of experience in the compilation and analysis of investment and agricultural statistics

· Extent and relevance of experience in the use of statistical software and development and management of databases

· Demonstrated analytical skills and ability to conduct independent research

· Extent and relevance of knowledge and experience in dealing with national and international stakeholders and data providers

· Demonstrated experience in drafting technical reports/documents in English is considered a strong asset

· Capacity to draft reports and deliver presentations

· Knowledge of and experience in compiling national accounts is an asset

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

· All candidates should possess computer/word processing skills.

· Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which will be followed by a competency-based interview.

· Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your iRecruitment online profile (see “How to Apply”). We strongly recommend that you ensure that the information is accurate and complete including employment record, academic qualifications and language skills.

· Please note that FAO will only consider academic credentials or degrees obtained from an educational institution recognised in the IAU/UNESCO list.

· Other similar positions at the same level may be filled from this vacancy notice and the endorsed candidates will be considered for the Employment Roster for a period of 2 years.

· Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments.

REMUNERATION

A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, click on the following link: http://www.un.org/Depts/OHRM/salaries_allowances/salary.htm

HOW TO APPLY:

To apply, visit the iRecruitment website at http://www.fao.org/employment/irecruitment-access/en/ and complete your online profile. Only applications received through iRecruitment will be considered.

Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile.

Vacancies will be removed from iRecruitment at 23:59 Central European Time (CET) on the deadline for applications date. We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date. If you need help, or have queries, please contact: iRecruitment@fao.org