Statistical/Research Assistant

2201h2201h

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 Markets and Trade Division (EST) monitors and analyses developments and trends in international, regional, and national agricultural commodity markets and the factors affecting them, collecting and disseminating up-to-date and comprehensive market and policy information for the major traded commodities and those important to food security. It also undertakes forward-looking outlook studies. The Division analyses issues that affect global food and agricultural markets and trade, including analysis of trade policies and agreements, and provides technical support and capacity development to FAO Members in all these areas. Through its Global Information and Early Warning System on Food and Agriculture (GIEWS), the Division is responsible for FAO's early warnings on food shortfalls and food security problems. The Division houses the secretariats of the Committee on Commodity Problems (CCP) and its subsidiary Intergovernmental Groups (IGGs), the G20 Agricultural Market Information System (AMIS), and the World Banana Forum (WBF).
The position is located at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy, in the Markets and Trade Division.

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/Research Assistant reports to the responsible Senior Economist in EST. 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 and limited knowledge (intermediate - level B) of one of the other FAO languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).
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 contemporary software used in statistics and data search techniques.
• Very good knowledge of relevant corporate computerized systems, policies and procedures.
• Good knowledge of communication and documentation standards.

Desirable Qualifications And Skills

• Knowledge of the economic aspects of, and data sources for, food and agricultural commodities.
• Proven experience in the analysis of agricultural commodity markets and driving factors.
• Experience in using statistical tools
• Experience in drafting documents and preparing presentations.

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