Statistical Assistant

IMPORTANT NOTICE\: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device

Staff in the General Service category are recruited locally from the Primary Location area, which is where the office is located.

• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination　　
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
• FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.

Organizational Setting

The Statistics Division (ESS) 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, which cover agricultural and food security relevant statistics (including prices, production, trade and agri-environmental statistical data). The Statistics Division is involved in the management of a number of large scale projects, aimed at improving statistical methodologies and establish best practices for the collection, collation, processing, dissemination and use of data relevant to food security, agriculture and rural areas.

The position is located in ESS at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Main Purpose

The Statistical/Research Assistant performs and coordinates the full range of technical, procedural and record-keeping support duties contributing to statistical data collection and presentation. He/she ensures quality, validity and consistency of data and information produced and presented within his/her area of responsibility.

Supervision Received/Exercised

The Statistical Assistant reports to the Senior Statistician. Work is performed with initiative and independent judgement. Managerial guidance received is focused on the quality and validity of results. The incumbent may provide procedural and technical guidance to other statistical support staff.

Working Relationships

The incumbent interacts, supports and cooperates with managers and staff on various levels within the Division, the entire Organization, including Decentralized Offices and external partners, in collecting and providing statistical information and analysis.

Key Functions/Results

• Select and extract relevant data to be used for construction and updating of databases or other statistical material; assist with specialized research and regularly update statistical information available in the Organization's Website;
• Draft and edit statistical reports, including tables and graphs for analysis;
• Review data prior to processing for computer storage or analysis; cross check data in a database to identify and redress inconsistencies;
• Assist with the production of tabulations for publications and/or ad hoc reports; use and customize statistical software to respond to data editing requests from a variety of clients;
• Prepare statistical material and documentation for internal and international meetings;
• Use statistical software to assist with specific analyses and programme edits, such as to identify or forecast events, patterns and causal flows;
• Provide guidance to staff on relevant statistical methods, systems and procedures; orient and train other statistical support staff in the work unit;
• Recommend improvements to operating procedures and systems used;
• Perform other duties as required.

Impact of Work

The incumbent's work impacts directly on quality and consistency of statistical and research support activities. He/she plays a lead role in the provision of statistical programme support services for successful achievement of the organizational unit's mandate

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

Education\: Secondary School Education.
Experience\: Four years of experience in statistical support work.
Languages\: Working knowledge (proficient - level C) of English.
IT Skills\: Very good knowledge of standard MS Office applications, Internet and office technology equipment.

Residency\: General Service Staff are recruited locally. To be eligible for this position, candidates must be nationals of the country of the duty station or possess an existing visa/work permit, and reside within commuting distance of the duty station at the time of the application. "Commuting distance" means the distance within which staff members can travel daily between their place of work and their residence.

Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical Skills

• Very good knowledge of standard MS Office applications, Internet and office technology equipment.

Desirable Qualifications and Skills

• Experience in using statistical software, such as R, Python.
• Experience in data collection methods, management of databases, analysis of data and dissemination of data.
• Experience in drafting and editing statistical reports, including tables and graphs for analysis, is considered an advantage.
• Ability to draft quickly, clearly and concisely and to communicate effectively in English.
• Experience in drafting documents and preparing presentations.
• Limited knowledge (intermediate - level B) of one of the other FAO languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing)
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http\://www.whed.net/

• The length of the appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to extension of appointments

• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.
• General Service Staff are recruited locally. To be eligible for this position, candidates must be nationals of the country of the duty station or possess an existing visa/work permit, and reside within commuting distance of the duty station at the time of the application."Commuting distance" means the distance within which staff members can travel daily between their place of work and their residence.
• No international benefits will be payable as selected candidates are recruited locally and paid in the local currency of the office location
• For additional information visit the FAO employment website\: http\://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/

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 recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. Once completed, please apply and submit your application, with language certificates as attachments. Only language proficiency certificates from UN accredited external providers and/or FAO language official examinations (LPE, ILE, LRT) will be accepted as proof of the level of knowledge of languages indicated in the online applications. FAO reserves the right to request candidates to undertake a language test in the future, as appropriate
• Incomplete applications will not be considered

• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the recruitment portal will be considered

• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance\: https\://fao.service-now.com/csp

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