National Statistics Specialist

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 global 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 main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by an FAO Representative, is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security, reduce hunger and malnutrition, help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner. The support is based on the guidelines as provided by the Country Programming Framework (CPF). FAO country office in Lesotho has recently developed its Country Programming Framework (CPF), which has nutrition as one of its core pillars SDG 2.4.1 is one of the approved SDG indicators for which FAO is custodian UN agency. The IAEG-SDG approved its reclassification in November 2018, with further refinements approved in 2019. Since then, work has focused on data collection and associated country capacity development, with the aim of increasing data coverage to enable countries develop and implement comprehensive farm survey strategies in support of 2.4.1 data production to gradually upgrade to Tier I. The 2.4.1 methodology requires countries to collect a range of social, economic and environmental data, across eleven sub-indicators, in order to measure their overall progress towards sustainable agriculture. 
In light of the latest Statistics Commission meeting in March 2024, countries now have the option to report SDG 2.4.1 results using a proxy approach. This proxy entails utilizing a simplified methodology based on national-level data developed by FAO, serving as an interim solution for countries while they prepare for full SDG 2.4.1 reporting.
Thus, to improve the data availability situation, the SDG 2.4.1 team has planned bilateral support to selected countries, of which one is Lesotho, from different regions both on SDG 2.4.1 survey-based methodology and on its proxy. 

Reporting Lines

The incumbent will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Lesotho, direct supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative for programme, technical guidance of FAO-ESS and in collaboration with FAO divisions and teams at the headquarters, regional and country offices other programme staff, the incumbent will undertake the following task:

Technical Focus

•    Conducting a gap analysis of existing national agricultural surveys to identify data coverage and missing variables for SDG 2.4.1 and its proxy.
•    Aligning Lesotho's agricultural surveys with FAO's SDG 2.4.1 methodology by integrating necessary questions and ensuring consistency with FAO’s reporting requirements.
•    Developing and implementing a sampling strategy for pilot testing that includes FAO’s recommended stratification for disaggregated statistics.
•    Training national stakeholders, including enumerators and government officials, on data collection, processing, and analysis for SDG 2.4.1 and its proxy.
•    Supervising data collection and processing, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and adherence to FAO’s statistical standards.
•    Calculating and reporting the SDG 2.4.1 indicator and its proxy using collected data, including generating national estimates.
•    Establishing a sustainable reporting mechanism to ensure regular data collection and reporting on SDG 2.4.1 at the national level.

Tasks and responsibilities

Under the direct supervision and technical guidance of the FAO-ESS and in collaboration with FAO divisions and teams at the headquarters, regional and country offices, the consultant will be responsible for the below mentioned tasks:

•    With the assistance of the SDG 2.4.1 focal point (or SDGs focal point) in the country, collaborate with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition, the Bureau of Statistics and other relevant institutions and carry out a desktop analysis of the existing national surveys currently operational at the national level to understand and document the extent of their coverage; in terms of sub-sectors, different farm typologies, sample design and periodicity, etc.
•    Map the questions given in the standalone questionnaire developed for 2.4.1 and its proxy data needs vis-à-vis the current agricultural surveys to pinpoint the extent of its coverage, identify the missing variables and mark the data gaps.
•    Perform customization/adaptation of the Lesotho agricultural surveys by adequately reflecting/integrating 2.4.1 questions and its proxy data needs at appropriate places within these surveys.
•    Organize and participate to the pilot test 
•    Provide guidance to the national focal point in the planning of pilot tests, development of revised sampling design for the pilot test, one that accommodates SDG 2.4.1 recommended stratification to produce desired disaggregated statistics.  
•    In coordination with the SDG 2.4.1 national focal point (or SDGs focal point), train the enumerators and other field team for carrying out the pilot test in a timely way.
•    Collect micro data, perform data cleaning, data entry operations and data analysis for calculation of the 11 sub-indicators of the SDG 2.4.1 and its proxy.
•    While considering the FAO data collection questionnaire, put in place and/or document (if already exists) the processes and protocols that will enable country officials to provide regular data on 2.4.1 and its proxy to the government and FAO as per its recommended periodicity for deriving regional and global estimates and reporting.
•    Support the focal point, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition, the Bureau of Statistics and other national stakeholders, prepare a concrete data collection and reporting action plan (one that contains activities, outputs, responsibilities and timeframe clearly illustrated) to collect data on 2.4.1 and its proxy.
•    Draft final report, calculating the SDG 2.4.1 indicator and its proxy and encompassing all of the above and provide key recommendations from the exercise.
•    Inform and encourage the adoption of Indicator 2.4.1 and its proxy at the national level by organizing a workshop
•    Undertake international travel, if needed, and represent FAO at different events and forums. 
•    Perform other additional activities as and when required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements  
 
•    Advanced university degree in Statistics, Economics, Environmental sciences and GIS/geography 
•    5 years of relevant experience in: Environmental Science/Agricultural statistics/Economics/GIS including farm-based surveys, organization and implementation of training programs, as well as acting as resource person and facilitator of training courses, including SDG indicators with UN agencies / multilateral institutions / national institutions
•    Working knowledge of English (C level)
•    National of the Kingdom of Lesotho or resident in the country with a valid work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•    Demonstrated interest in the technical areas described above, as well as strong analytical, legal research and writing skills.

Selection Criteria

•    PhD is an advantage
•    Experience in Environmental Science/Agricultural statistics/Economics/GIS including farm-based surveys would be an asset.
•    Experience and knowledge in using statistical software such as R, Stata, and SPSS.
•    Experience in implementing international projects would be an asset.
•    Experience in organization and implementation of training programs;
•    Knowledge and experience in Collect micro data, perform data cleaning, data entry operations and data analysis;
•    Experience in managing processes for stakeholder consultation and participation;
•    Ability to write clear and concise reports;
•    Experience working with international or regional organizations or other entities in a relevant field.