Statistical/Research Assistant

FAO; Roma; On-site; EUR 28,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

FAO in Rome seeks a Statistical/Research Assistant to lead data collection, validation, and reporting for climate and agricultural statistics. The role involves coordinating data extraction, creating tables and graphs, and ensuring quality of data used in global publications.

The incumbent will draft statistical materials, assist with ad hoc analyses, and train staff in statistical methods while collaborating with a wide network of internal and external partners.

Qualifications

• Four years of experience in statistical support work.
• Very good knowledge of MS Office applications and internet tools.

Responsibilities

• Select and extract data for databases and statistical materials; update statistical information.
• Draft and edit statistical reports with tables and graphs for analysis.
• Review data prior to processing and cross-check for inconsistencies.
• Assist with tabulations and respond to data requests using statistical software.
• Prepare material for internal and international meetings.
• Provide guidance on statistical methods and train staff.

Skills

Statistical data handling

Education

Secondary School Education

Tools

MS Excel

Job description

Job Description - Statistical/Research Assistant (2602090)

Job Description

CALL FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST - VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT : 2602090

Statistical/Research Assistant

Job Posting

07/Oct/2026

Closure Date

21/Oct/2026, 9:59:00 PM

Organizational Unit : ESS - Statistics

Job Type

Staff position

Type of Requisition : General Service

Primary Location

Italy-Rome

Duration : Fixed-term: two years with possibility of extension

Post Number : 0093114

CCOG Code : 2201h

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device

Staff in the General Service category are recruited locally from the Primary Location area, which is where the office is located.

• 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 FAO's 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.

FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

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.

Organizational Setting

The Statistics Division (ESS) develops and advocates for the implementation of methodologies and standards for data collection, validation, processing and analysis of food and agriculture statistics. In these statistical domains, it also plays a vital role in the compilation, processing and dissemination of internationally comparable data and provides essential capacity building support to Member Nations. In addition, the Division disseminates many publications working papers and statistical yearbooks, that cover agricultural and food security relevant statistics (including prices, investments, production, trade and agri-environmental statistical data).

Main Purpose

The Statistical/Research Assistant performs and coordinates the full range of technical, procedural and record-keeping support duties contributing to statistical data collection and presentation. The incumbent ensures quality, validity and consistency of data and information produced and presented within the area of responsibility.

Supervision Received/Exercised

The Statistical/Research Assistant works under direct supervision of the Senior Statistician/Team Leader of the Crops, Livestock and Food Statistics (CLFS) and general supervision of the Director and/or Deputy Director, ESS. Supervision received provides for technical and procedural guidance and on-the-job learning opportunities. Work is performed with initiative and independent judgement. Managerial guidance received is focused on the quality and validity of results. The incumbent may provide procedural and technical guidance to other statistical support staff.

Working Relationships

The incumbent interacts, supports and cooperates with managers and staff on various levels within the Division, the entire Organization, including Decentralized Offices and external partners, in collecting and providing statistical information and analysis.

Key Functions/Results

• Select and extract relevant data to be used for construction and updating of databases or other statistical material; assist with specialized research and regularly update statistical information available in the Organization's Website.
• Draft and edit statistical reports, including tables and graphs for analysis.
• Review data prior to processing for computer storage or analysis; cross check data in a database to identify and redress inconsistencies.
• Assist with the production of tabulations for publications and/or ad hoc reports; use and customize statistical software to respond to data editing requests from a variety of clients.
• Prepare statistical material and documentation for internal and international meetings.
• Use statistical software to assist with specific analyses and programme edits, such as to identify or forecast events, patterns and causal flows.
• Provide guidance to staff on relevant statistical methods, systems and procedures; orient and train other statistical support staff in the work unit.
• Recommend improvements to operating procedures and systems used.
• Perform other duties as required.

Impact Of Work

The incumbent's work impacts directly on quality and consistency of statistical and research support activities. The incumbent plays a lead role in the provision of statistical programme support services for successful achievement of the organizational unit's mandate.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

• Education: Secondary School Education.
• Experience: Four years of experience in statistical support work.
• Languages: Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English.
• IT Skills: Very good knowledge of standard MS Office applications, Internet and office technology equipment.

Residency: General Service Staff are recruited locally. To be eligible for this position, candidates must be nationals of the country of the duty station or possess an existing valid visa to work or a valid work permit and reside within commuting distance of the duty station at the time of the application. "Commuting distance" means the distance within which staff members can travel daily between their place of work and their residence.

Technical Skills

• Thorough knowledge of global agricultural production and trade statistics.
• Thorough knowledge of contemporary software used for data compilation and analysis (i.e. Microsoft Excel).
• Thorough knowledge of relevant corporate computerized systems, policies and procedures.

Desirable Qualifications And Skills

• Intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).
• Very good knowledge of the corporate structure and corporate statistical governance mechanisms.
• Very good knowledge of Central Product Classification (CPC) and "Harmonized System (HS) international classifications".
• Very good knowledge of statistical software (i.e, R).
• Very good knowledge of Food Balance Sheets methodology used by FAO.

FAO staff are expected to adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO,

Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing)
• 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 http://www.whed.net/
• The length of the appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to extension of appointments
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.
• General Service Staff are recruited locally. To be eligible for this position, candidates must be nationals of the country of the duty station or possess an existing valid visa to work or valid work permit, and reside within commuting distance of the duty station at the time of the application. "Commuting distance" means the distance within which staff members can travel daily between their place of work and their residence.
• No international benefits will be payable as selected candidates are recruited locally and paid in the local currency of the office location
• For additional information visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/