Organizational Setting

The Statistics Division (ESS) develops and advocates for the implementation of methodologies and standards for data collection, validation, processing and analysis, in the food and agriculture statistics domains. In these statistical domains, it also plays a key role in the compilation, processing and dissemination of internationally comparable data, and provides essential capacity building in support of Member Nations. The Division also disseminates publications, working papers and statistical yearbooks, that cover agriculture and food security statistics, including prices, investments, production, trade and agri-environmental statistical data. Finally, as the ESS Director also plays the role of FAO Chief Statistician, the Division supports the various functions of the Chief Statistician, that is to ensure stronger governance of FAO’s data and statistical system, foster consistency of FAO’s Data and Statistical programme within the Strategic Framework, ensure statistical excellence through the implementation of statistical standards and quality assurance mechanisms, and position FAO’s presence in data and statistical discussions at global level.

The aim of this Call for Expression of Interest is to populate a roster of consultants and subscribers of Personal Service Agreements (PSAs) for the Data Quality Unit and the Data and Statistics and Coordination Team of ESS at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

The Data Quality Unit aims to ensure that the Organization produces and disseminates high-quality data and statistics related to its mandate. The unit develops, updates and implements corporate quality frameworks, policies, standards, procedures and tools to ensure that statistical processes are sound and disseminated data and statistics are of the highest possible quality. It also monitors the quality of FAO data and statistics and supports FAO technical units in improving their compliance to internal quality policies, standards and procedures. Finally, it provides quality assurance support and tools to countries to improve the quality of food and agriculture data and statistics produced at the national level.

The Data and Statistics Coordination Team supports the governance and coordination of FAO’s data and statistical activities, both within FAO and within the broader international data and statistical community. It oversees the planning, monitoring and reporting on FAO data and statistical programme of work and more generally supports the monitoring of FAO’s corporate results. It coordinates FAO’s role as custodian agency for 21 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Indicators. Finally, it acts as focal point for any queries on intellectual property matters concerning FAO databases.

Reporting Lines

Candidates selected for assignments with the Data Quality Unit will work under the general supervision of the Director of ESS and the direct supervision of the Team Leader, and in close collaboration with other members of the Unit.

Candidates selected for assignments with the Data and Statistics Coordination Team will work under the general supervision of the Director of ESS and the Team Leader, and in close collaboration with other members of the Unit.

Technical Focus 

Candidates selected for assignments with the Data Quality Unit will contribute to the quality assurance efforts of the Division, such as the development and review of statistical standards; the implementation of peer reviews, assessments, audits and user consultations; and the provision of support and capacity development activities on statistical and data-quality related matters.

Candidates selected for assignments with the Data and Statistics Coordination Team will provide technical support to the governance, coordination, planning, monitoring and reporting of data and statistical activities at corporate level, in particular in the area of SDG monitoring, and to the design and monitoring of FAO results framework.

Tasks and responsibilities

Candidates selected for assignments with the Data Quality Unit will:

•    Provide support to ensure the quality of statistical outputs produced and disseminated by FAO.
•    Provide support to the development and review of corporate statistical policies, standards, procedures and tools to regulate and improve the quality of FAO statistical production processes and data assets based on the Generic statistical business process model (GSBPM) and FAO Statistics and Data Quality Assurance Framework.
•    Contribute to the implementation of quality assurance, control and audit mechanisms to monitor quality of FAO statistical processes and data assets, including data and statistics produced for non-traditional data sources such as earth observation and other big data.
•    Contribute to the implementation of FAO’s Quality Assessment and Planning Survey (QAPS) which gathers information on all FAO’s statistical activities and information systems included in FAO Biennial Statistical Programme of Work and assesses the extent to which they meet FAO’s quality standards.
•    Contribute to the implementation of in in-depth quality reviews or quality audits on specific FAO statistical processes and outputs.
•    Provide support in conducting users’ consultations related to FAO corporate statistical databases.
•    Support in the implementation of a corporate capacity development programme on quality-related policies, standards, best practices and tools targeting FAO employees involved in statistical and data production.

Candidates selected for assignments with the Data and Statistics Coordination Team will:

•    Provide technical support to the work of FAO data coordination groups, including the development, implementation and monitoring of strategic orientations, policies, standards, procedures and best practices for the production and dissemination of food and agriculture statistics.
•    Support the compilation, disaggregation, progress assessment, dissemination and reporting of the SDG indicators under FAO custodianship.
•    Support the coordination of statistical capacity development initiatives on SDG monitoring and provide technical assistance to Member Nations, with a particular emphasis on improving national capacities to collect and report data for SDG monitoring.
•    Provide regular assessment reports on the quality of the SDG indicators under the custodianship of FAO.
•    Supports the coordination, planning, monitoring and reporting on FAO’s data and statistical programme of work, projects and activities.
•    Provides technical support for the design and monitoring of FAO’s results framework, including the conduct and analysis of corporate outcome assessments and stakeholder surveys.
•    Support the coordination of FAO reporting on data and statistics to FAO Governing Bodies, the UN Statistical Commission and other relevant bodies.
•    Provide technical support for the preparation and coordination of FAO regional commissions on agriculture statistics and the United Nations Committee of Experts on Food Security, Agricultural and Rural Statistics (UN-CEAG) meetings, as well as the coordination of FAO’s participation in committee of experts and working groups under the United Nations Statistical Commission (UNSC) as well as other regional and global statistical coordination bodies relevant to FAO’s data and statistical mandate.
•    Support the establishment, review and management of corporate partnerships for data and statistics, including with other international organizations, academia, the private sector and resource partners.
•    Provide technical support for the management of intellectual property rights for FAO databases.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    University degree in statistics, mathematics, economics, development economics or a related field.
•    At least 1 year (for PSA.SBS) or 2 years (for Consultant) of relevant experience in statistics or data analysis.
•    Working knowledge of English.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills 

•    Work experience in more than one location or area of work
•    Extent and relevance of experience in collecting, analysing and validating technical information and data on themes relevant to FAO’s mandate, such as food, agriculture, and the SDGs.
•    Experience in the use of statistical software such as R, Stata, or SPSS.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements