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. FAO is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO's goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 Members (194 countries and the European Union), FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.

FAO Country Offices, working under overall corporate guidance and in line with the Strategic Framework, offer policy advice and support to countries in the mandated areas of FAO, facilitated through partnerships, resources and an active country programme to provide technical assistance, develop capacities and deliver core services while fully observing international standards of accountability to establish leadership and strengthen impact at the country  level. The offices deliver on the programmatic priorities of each country as agreed in their respective Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs) aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and ensure effective and efficient operations with adequate human and financial resources. Specifically, FAO Country Offices: 
•     advocate, inform and support policies and investments in the areas of FAO’s mandate;
•     provide technical assistance and deliver core services; 
•     assist and catalyse partnership and resource mobilization activities to support agrifood systems transformation; 
•     position FAO as the specialized/authoritative technical agency in food and agriculture and agrifood systems transformation; and 
•     ensure risk-smart and accountable operations and management.  

The position is located in the FAO Country Office in Baghdad, Iraq. FAO Iraq, in close collaboration with the Government of Iraq, initiated a project to support the preparatory phase of the Agricultural Census, in line with the World Programme for the Census of Agriculture (WCA). The WCA promotes a standardized and globally comparable approach for countries to conduct national agricultural censuses every ten years. This project represents the first of several critical preparatory steps in organizing the census. It aims to strengthen the capacity of the national statistical authority to effectively plan and implement the census by defining the census methodology and instruments, establishing the required administrative and operational arrangements, and developing a comprehensive project document, budget, and workplan. These outputs will support the mobilization of the resources required for the full implementation of the Agricultural Census in Iraq.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAOR Iraq and the administrative supervision of FAO Iraq M&E Officer, with the general technical guidance of RNE Statistician, as well as guidance of International Consultant Statistician and International Consultant Data Processing Expert.

Technical Focus

Under the overall operational supervision of the FAOR Iraq, with the general technical guidance of the LTO and the administrative supervision of FAO Iraq, the National Consultant Data Processing Expert shall provide technical services for implementation of the project in liaison with the International Consultant Data Processing Expert.

Tasks and responsibilities

•     In collaboration with the CSGIS, FAO team and other experts/stakeholders on the project, support the preparation and establishment of a work plan of actions to implement the data processing component of the project (CAPI app, validation rules, data processing and tabulation).
•     In liaison with the International Consultant in Data Processing, support the assessment of the data processing capacities and facilities in the CSGIS, and use the outcomes to prepare a programme for upgrading knowledge and skills for strengthening capacities of the CSGIS in census data capturing, processing and tabulation.
•     Through hands-on training and in consultation with the International and National Consultant Statisticians, support the preparation of a cost-effective data processing programme and tools (CAPI app, data validation and cleaning and tabulation programmes) using CAPI methodology and fine-tune them after field testing.
•     Support the organisation of a Training of Trainers (ToT) trainings on CAPI App for the census questionnaire, data processing, tabulation and quality control for respective Core Census Team members.  
•     Assist in the planning, organizing and conducting the census instruments testing.
•     Prepare End of Mission Reports and an Assignment Report in line with a format to be agreed with FAO, and submit in electronic form, word and pdf formats for the clearance of the LTO.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements   

•     Advanced university degree in data processing with specialization in agricultural statistics 
•     At least 5 years’ experience in agricultural census and surveys and their organization in middle-income countries. 
•     Working knowledge of English and working knowledge of Arabic
•     National of Iraq or resident of the country with a valid work permit

FAO Core Competencies

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

Selection Criteria

•     An excellent management capability, ability to work in a team and to make professional quality reports are needed.