Deputy Director (Data Generation and Capacity Building)

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through 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.

FAOs commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

The Statistics Division (ESS) provides timely and reliable data on food and agriculture to facilitate the design and monitoring of evidence-based policy decisions by Member Nations as well as serves as the foremost authoritative source of statistical standards and methods in agricultural and food statistics. The Division aims to build the statistical capacity of national regional and international institutions to enhance their ability to collect analyse and disseminate agriculture and food statistics including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) indicators. At the same time the Statistics Division has the role to coordinate FAOs data and statistical system which is composed of different Offices and Divisions that produce and disseminate data and statistics in FAO. As such ESS is responsible for the development coordination and monitoring of corporate plans procedures policies and standards as well as the management of the corporate processes of quality assurance of the data and statistics produced in correspondence with this the Director of the Statistics Division also has the role of Chief Statistician of the Organization.

ESS is organized in two streams of work. The Data Generation and Capacity Development Stream is responsible for the functions of production of statistics that are relevant for FAO and its Members and the function of capacity development/technical assistance to Members on data generation. The Data and Statistical Governance Stream is responsible for the functions of coordination of FAOs data and statistical system and quality assurance. It is also responsible for fostering modernization and innovation of corporate data and statistical processes and for the corporate dissemination of data and statistics. It also manages the coordination between FAO statistics and the broader statistical community. Each stream is composed of technical teams that are responsible for the implementation of the Divisions biennial workplan.

The position is located in the Office of the Director of the Statistics Division (ESS) at FAO headquarters in Rome Italy.

Reporting Lines

The Deputy Director (Data Generation and Capacity Development) will directly report to the Director ESS.

Summary of Duties and Functions
Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Director ESS as a member of the Economic and Social Development Stream Management Team the Deputy Director (Data Generation and Capacity Development) will assist with the day-to-day management of the Division. Specifically she/he will support the Director in providing continuous strategic managerial and technical leadership in the functions that correspond to the Data Generation and Capacity Development Stream this is to the activities devoted to the production and maintenance of the data domains that are under responsibility of the Division and the building of statistical capacity in FAO member countries in producing food and agriculture statistics.
In particular the incumbent will:
Support the Director in the day-to-day management of the data generation and capacity development Stream including strategic vision planning implementation and monitoring of outputs as well as the cost-effective use of financial and human resources in contribution to FAOs strategic framework and strategic objectives;
Support the Director in providing overall strategic and technical guidance to the data generation teams in all data processes required for the preparation and the regular publication of datasets within the FAOSTAT other relevant FAO data platforms and of the related technical dissemination and documentation materials;
Provide technical guidance on the development or revision of methodologies and standards applied to statistical operations within the data generation teams procuring the use of innovative methods and data sources aiming at making FAO data accurate and fit for purpose;
Support the Director in providing overall strategic and technical guidance in activities that aims to ensure the timely and effectively delivery of statistical capacity development to Member countries funded through regular and extra-budgetary resources; and support the capacity development teams in the implementation of technical assistance on a broad range of topics in food and agricultural statistics;
Handle day to day matters of the Division in the absence of the Director in coordination with the Deputy Director for Data and Statistical Governance;
Represent the Division on the Data Coordination Group at technical level consolidating inputs from the data generation and capacity development teams and coordinating the implementation of decisions of the Group;
Support the Director in the preparation of flagship publications and the preparation of technical notes briefs or reports;
Maintain a motivated and effective workforce by ensuring the recruitment of highly qualified staff promoting communication both within and across teams mentoring coaching and supporting career development and by implementing effective approaches for performance management;
Ensure high visibility to FAOs work on statistics further develop strategic partnerships with relevant FAO divisions offices and centres as well as other agencies and institutions for collaborative work in the area of statistics and develop and negotiate effective working relationships and agreements with international and national partners;
Strengthen relationships with potential donors for the mobilisation of extra-budgetary resources in support of priority areas of work;
Represent the Division in international and other external and internal meetings promoting the statistical work of the Organization supporting the mobilization of resources and/or consolidating partnerships for the achievement of the divisional outputs;
Performs other duties as required.

Leadership Competencies
Results focus: Takes accountability for the delivery of agreed results in service of FAOs strategic framework

Leading engaging and empowering others: Coordinates directs facilitates and recognizes team efforts; creates an enabling environment and assists others to realize and develop their potential

Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication

Partnering and Advocating: Promotes ideas and develops partnerships to advance the Organizations work

Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement: Continually seeks to improve the knowledge skills and work processes of oneself and others

Strategic thinking: Makes informed and coherent decisions aligned with broader goals and strategies.

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

GENERAL INFORMATION

FAO reserves the right not to make an appointment.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment accreditation any residency or visa requirements and security clearances.

CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For information on UN salaries allowances and benefits click on the following link: benefits subject to eligibility include:

- Dependency allowances

- Rental subsidy

- Education grant for children

- Home leave travel

- 30 working days of annual leave per year

- Pension fund entitlements under the UN Joint Staff Pension Fund

- International health insurance; optional life insurance

- Disability protection

FAO encourages a positive workplace culture to increase inclusivity and diversity within its workforce. FAO applies measures in which all staff members contribute equally and in full to the work and development of the Organization.

This includes:

- elements of family-friendly policies

- flexible working arrangements

- standards of conduct.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate complete and includes your employment records academic qualifications and language skills
Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
Once your profile is completed please apply and submit your application
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 These qualifications should be in alignment with the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) mappings.
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 FAOs 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 FAO 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.

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 FAOs 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.

FAOs commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements
Advanced university degree (Ph.D. or equivalent is preferred but not required) in statistics or economics or closely related fields.
Minimum twelve years of relevant experience in the production of official statistics the development of statistical methods and data based analytical products and the provision of technical assistance and statistical capacity development activities in national and/or international organizations.
A minimum of four years of experience in leadership positions supervising large teams in the production of official statistics in national and/or international organizations.
Relevant experience in the coordination of statistical systems and in the development and implementation of quality assurance frameworks.
Relevant experience in providing advice on policy strategy or programmes for development of statistics at global regional and country levels.
Demonstrated skills and experience in managing for results in providing budgetary oversight for programme delivery in managing staff and in working effectively with diverse teams of people of different national and cultural backgrounds in an international setting.
Analytical skills and ability to express and synthesize ideas clearly and concisely both orally and in writing and demonstrated communication skills; experience in managing preparing and editing publications and reports.
Experience in resource mobilization including coordinating project proposals for funding and interacting with donors and funding agencies.
A relevant publication record.
Working knowledge (proficiency- level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency- level B) of another FAO official languages (Arabic Chinese French Russian or Spanish).