The Statistics Division (ESS) of the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is looking for consultants with a strong background in the R statistical programming language. They will contribute to develop methods and routines for the corporate Statistical Working System (SWS), which is an essential tool for the improvement and harmonization of FAO statistical processes. The main objectives of the new phase of the SWS project are the incorporation of new statistical domains, the capability to manage and integrate multiple data sources, integration with the new Statistical Data Warehouse, development of new Shiny applications to analyse and validate data. Responsibilities Consultants will be responsible for the development of methods, standards, and tools with the objective to improve the efficiency of FAO's statistical system and the quality of its output. In particular, they will: - Develop, test, and implement optimum imputation, analysis, validation, or other statistical methods for teams that operate in various statistical domains (agriculture, trade, environment, fisheries, forestry, food security). - Provide high-level recommendations on methods and their implementation - Design and develop R modules architecture to implement the methods and deliver script in accordance - Document the statistical methods and corresponding R scripts - Develop and maintain Shiny applications - Any other duty as required Core skills - Dynamic statistician equipped with both highly advanced statistical and R-programming skills - Ability to quickly master and apply new methods - Ability to make recommendations and advise decision-makers on highly technical issues - General understanding of databases and complex technological systems - Ability to understand statistical user requirements - Ability to write modular code - Proven ability to self-start, progress quickly up a steep learning curve, assume initiative and to multi-task - Focus on delivery and on meeting tight deadlines - Knowledge of agricultural statistics and/or food commodities would be an advantage, though not required - Effective collaborator, in particular familiar with git and GitHub Minimum requirements - Postgraduate in statistics or other relevant quantitative field - At least 3 years of experience in the use of R - Mastering of data.table and tidyverse packages - Good knowledge of Shiny - Language skills (working language is English, knowledge of additional UN official languages is an advantage) - Good writing skills Send your CV before July 31st to christian.mongeau [AT] fao.org (replace [AT] with @). We will consider also late applications for future positions.