Organizational Setting

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.

The FAO Representation in Ghana is the body in charge of ensuring liaison between FAO and the Government of Ghana and is the first port of call for analysing and appraising government assistance requests; identifying, formulating, implementing and monitoring all FAO programmes and projects; managing all phases of the project cycle for national projects for which operational and bud get holder responsibilities have been assigned by the Technical Cooperation Department; identifying opportunities for collaboration, and mobilizing technical and operational support from the Regional Office, Headquarters and other funding sources as appropriate.

FAO Ghana’s programme of work is guided by the Country Programming Framework (CPF) 2023-2025. In line with Priority 1 of the CPF- Transformative and innovative approaches for sustainable food and agricultural production and resilient agri-food systems and aligned with its mandate and comparative advantage. FAO works on providing more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable blue food systems promoted through improved policies and programmes.

FAO is supporting the Government of Ghana and the Fisheries Commission to generate validated national data on fish consumption and nutrition to inform food security and nutrition policies. This initiative aligns with FAO’s Blue Transformation agenda and contributes to the achievement of SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 14 (Life Below Water). The project, Enhancing National Fisheries Nutrition Data for Evidence-Based Food Security and Nutrition Policies (TCP/GHA/4006), aims to address critical data gaps and strengthen national capacity for evidence-based decision-making.

Reporting Lines

The National Expert on Socio-economic Statistics will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Country Representative, the guidance of the Assistant FAOR (Programmes), and the direct technical supervision of the National Project Coordinator and the Fisheries Officer at NFIMV Headquarters, and in close coordination with the Lead Technical Officer (LTO) and the FAO project team in Ghana.

Technical Focus

The National Expert on Socio-economic Statistics will lead the design and implementation of robust methodologies for the collection, analysis, and validation of data on fish consumption patterns and nutritional contributions across marine, inland, and aquaculture systems. The Expert will provide technical leadership for Ghana’s fisheries nutrition data initiative, which is critical for addressing existing data gaps in the fisheries sector. The Expert will ensure that data generation processes integrate gender-responsive and environmentally sustainable approaches, in line with FAO Environmental and Social Standards. 
Additionally, the National Expert will strengthen the institutional capacity of the Fisheries Commission and collaborating institutions through targeted training and knowledge transfer to support sustainable data management, analysis, and utilization.

Tasks and responsibilities

•     Determine the sampling frame, calculate the sampling size and work with key stakeholders to develop logistical plans for data collection
•     Develop and validate survey tools and methodologies with the Technical Working Group (TWG).
•     Train enumerators and ensure quality assurance throughout the data collection process.
•     Oversee household-level data collection and monitoring.
•     Lead data analyses and interpretation for technical reporting.
•     Draft and finalize technical reports and policy briefs based on validated data.
•     Organize and participate in stakeholder workshops (inception, validation, dissemination).
•     Provide technical backstopping to FAO and the Fisheries Commission throughout the project cycle.
•     Prepare quarterly progress reports and a comprehensive end-of-assignment report.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements  
 
•     Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in statistics, economics, Nutrition / public health / fisheries sciences, agricultural economics or a related field.
•     Seven years of relevant experience in economic analysis of agricultural and food consumption and nutrition content or related technical areas. 
•     National of Ghana
•     Working knowledge of English

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•     Demonstrated experience in monitoring, analysis and assessment of food consumption and nutritional value of fish in diet.
•     Demonstrated experience in planning and conducting consumption surveys
•     Extent and relevance of experience in developing and maintaining partnerships and collaborative arrangements with national 
and international institutions.
•     Depth of familiarity with relevant information systems on food and agriculture and methods of monitoring and assessing food 
•     security using proper indicators.
•     Proficiency in using at least one statistical software such as R, STATA, SPSS (etc.,).
•     Experience in applying statistical methods to analyse large data sets related to agriculture, fish consumption, and food 
security.
•     Demonstrated ability to write and present clearly and concisely.
•     Demonstrated ability to work in a team and under strict deadlines.

Added Advantage

•     Prior experience working with FAO or any UN agency
•     Prior experience working with the government and other relevant institutions in Ghana