Organizational Setting

The Fisheries and Aquaculture Division (NFI) is responsible for the economic, social, institutional, governance and policy aspects of FAO's activities related to fisheries and aquaculture and their development, with particular emphasis on human wellbeing, food security and poverty reduction; postharvest utilization, marketing and trade with due regard to the protection of the environment, food security and the wellbeing of fishing communities; collection, compilation, validation, trend analysis and dissemination of the best available and up-to-date fishery statistics and for the syndication of the FAO information on all aspects of world fisheries and aquaculture. The Division is also responsible for FAO's activities related to the management and conservation of the living aquatic resources used by fisheries and aquaculture, including the biodiversity and ecosystem maintenance, with particular emphasis on most vulnerable and threatened species and habitats as well as the management of responsible fisheries and aquaculture in accordance with modern management standards and best practices and the development of fisheries technology, with due regard to the protection of the environment, food security and the wellbeing of fishing communities, including the safety of fishers and fishing vessels.
The position is located in the Fisheries and Aquaculture Division (NFI) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines

The Fishery Officer (Statistical Analysis) reports to the Senior Fishery Officer/Team Leader, in the Statistics and Information team, (NFISI).

Technical Focus

The Fishery Officer (Statistical Analysis) will be responsible for the planning, coordination and quality assurance of fisheries and aquaculture statistical analysis at global, regional and national levels, and for supporting the development of indicators, short- and medium-term outlook analyses, modelling and related statistical methodologies and tools to underpin evidence-based policy dialogue and global reporting. The role requires strong quantitative and analytical skills and close collaboration with technical teams within NFI, FAO corporate statistical units, Member Nations and international partners.

Key Results

Comprehensive technical and policy expertise to support the planning, development and implementation of divisional programmes, projects, products and services in accordance with divisional objectives and the FAO Strategic Framework.

Key Functions

• Plans and leads components of multidisciplinary teams, leads and/or participates on Organization-wide, cross-divisional committees, project teams and working groups, and/or provides specialized expertise in technical networks and/or international technical policy and standard setting bodies.

• Develops technical, analytical, monitoring and reporting frameworks, and related methodologies, tools, systems and databases, etc. to support the planning, implementation/delivery and monitoring of programmes of work, projects, products and/or services.

• Designs and conducts research, data collection, validation, analysis and/or reporting activities to support the development of technical standards, international instruments, innovative approaches and strategies, new tools, technologies, technical reports/publications, and/or policy proposals, as well as the provision of technical/policy/specialist/advice and expertise.

• Responds to country requests for technical and policy assistance, provides technical advice, assistance and solutions to Decentralized Offices and provides technical backstopping to field projects.

• Collaborates in, provides technical backstopping to, and ensures the quality/effectiveness of, capacity development and knowledge sharing activities within Member Nations, such as policy support, organizational development and individual learning events including preparation of related information, learning materials, on-line tools.

• Promotes international cooperation/advocates best practices, supports increased policy dialogue and provides technical expertise at international/intergovernmental meetings.

• Participates in resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Strategic Framework.

   

Specific Functions

• Plans, coordinates and oversees the development, analysis and dissemination of fisheries and aquaculture statistics produced by the NFI Division, ensuring alignment with FAO strategic priorities and corporate standards.

• Develops, reviews and applies statistical methodologies, standards, and indicators for the collection, compilation, validation and analysis of fisheries and aquaculture data.

• Contributes to the development, maintenance and quality assurance of FAO fisheries and aquaculture statistical databases and related information systems, ensuring data accuracy, coherence, transparency and usability.

• Designs and implements short- and medium-term outlook analyses and modelling frameworks for fisheries and aquaculture, including scenario analysis to support policy dialogue and strategic decision-making.

• Provides analytical inputs to FAO flagship publications, technical reports, policy briefs and other knowledge products, ensuring the appropriate use and interpretation of statistical evidence.

• Participates in and contributes to international expert meetings, working groups and intergovernmental processes related to fisheries and aquaculture statistics, indicators and data standards, including leading task groups of the Coordinating Working Party on Fishery Statistics (CWP).

• Collaborates with internal and external partners, including other FAO divisions, regional offices, national statistical systems, regional fisheries management organizations and international organizations, to strengthen data harmonization and statistical frameworks.

• Contributes to corporate statistical initiatives, as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in statistics or economics and/or a closely related quantitative discipline, with a strong focus on quantitative analysis and fisheries and aquaculture.

• Seven years of relevant experience in national or international organizations in the field of fisheries and aquaculture statistics, data analysis, modelling or related field.

• Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

   

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, particularly in field positions.

• Extent and relevance of experience in the statistical analysis of fisheries and aquaculture data, including large and complex datasets.

• Extent and relevance of experience in the development and application of statistical methodologies, indicators and analytical tools for fisheries and aquaculture.

• Extent and relevance of experience in translating statistical results into clear, policy-relevant analysis and technical advice, drafting high-quality written materials for a wide variety of audiences and making effective oral presentations, preferably in more than one FAO official language.

• Extent and relevance of experience in the development of short- and medium-term outlook analysis, forecasting or scenario modelling relevant to fisheries and aquaculture.

• Extent and relevance of experience in organizing and coordinating meetings and in successfully working in multidisciplinary teams and with external partners.

• Extent and relevance of experience with international fisheries and aquaculture statistical standards and reporting processes.

• Extent and relevance of experience in software used for processing and analysing data, such as R and Stata.

• Ability to mobilize resources.

• Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of French or Spanish is a strong asset.