Head of Research, Assessment and Monitoring (RAM) Unit At World Food Programme

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WFP seeks candidates of the highest integrity and professionalism who share our humanitarian principles. Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis. We are committed to promoting diversity and the principle of equal employment opportunity for all our employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of religion or belief, ethnic or social background, gender, gender identity and disability.

ABOUT WFP

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. The mission of WFP is to help the world achieve Zero Hunger in our lifetimes. Every day, WFP works worldwide to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry and that the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly women and children, can access the nutritious food they need. WFP is the leading humanitarian organization saving lives and changing lives, delivering food assistance in emergencies and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience. As the international community has committed to end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition by 2030, one in nine people worldwide still do not have enough to eat. Food and food-related assistance lie at the heart of the struggle to break the cycle of hunger and poverty.

ORGANISATIONAL CONTEXT

Research, Assessment and Monitoring and Evaluation Requirements

Given the diverse set of interventions under the current and forthcoming CSP (2024-2028), with WFP’s focus towards strengthening the capacity of the Government of Nepal (GoN), there is a strong need for tracking progress and generate quality evidence on the outcomes and impact of WFP’s assistance on the lives of beneficiaries, capacity strengthening efforts, as well as its contribution to achieving SDG indicators, particularly in the area of food security and nutrition (SDG 2) and partnership (SDG 17) and other related SDGs. For this purpose, WFP Nepal is seeking to bolster its capacity on research, assessment, monitoring and evaluation with an experienced and qualified international consultant to lead the unit involved in Research, Assessment and Monitoring (RAM), which includes staff involved in Vulnerability Analysis and Mapping (VAM) and Monitoring, Reporting and Evaluation (MRE). Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Country Director, the Head of RAM will play a critical role in leading the coordination and implementation of all research, assessments, monitoring and evaluation efforts across all CSP activities and through the capacity strengthening of WFP staff on food security, nutrition, resilience, climate change and emergency response, by adopting both standard methodologies and innovative technological solutions. Strength in RAM capacity is crucial to inform operational, evidence-based decision making and strategic reorientation of WFP’s programmes.

JOB PURPOSE

Food and nutrition security analysis is the basis for the design and implementation of all WFP operations including Country Strategic Plans (CSP) and emergency and resilience building programmes. Prior to the design of any intervention, WFP undertakes an analysis of the food and nutrition security as well as regular market monitoring which informs Government’s policies and programmes and the wider humanitarian and development community’s planning, programming and resource allocation. The purpose of the job will be to lead the Research, Assessment and Monitoring (RAM) Unit in WFP Nepal, advancing efforts with the Government of Nepal, United Nations agencies and knowledge partners including research and academic institutions to: (1) lead the food security, nutrition and market monitoring and analysis system in the Country Office and contribute to the Vulnerability Analysis Mapping (VAM) evidence base that supports food security and nutrition policies and programmes (e.g. needs assessment and situation analyses, programme design, targeting, cost effectiveness, and operational efficiency). (2) strengthen the capacities of national and local stakeholders to prepare for and respond to food insecurity and emergencies (3) Produce evidence and standards related to targeting and prioritization of geographic locations, households, and individuals in need of assistance and (4) utilize the latest science and technology to inform the design, implementation and monitoring of food security, nutrition and broader social protection programmes.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Position Title: Head of Research, Assessment and Monitoring (RAM) Unit
Contract Type: Consultancy Contract
Level: CST LII
Contract Duration: 11 months
Duty Station: Kathmandu, Nepal
Vacancy Number: 827833

Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Country Director, the Head of RAM will be responsible for the following duties:

1) Food security, nutrition and livelihood assessment and research

• Coordinate and provide leadership and oversight to food security, nutrition, markets (including period market functionality index) and resilience analysis and prepare timely reports and products in line with the evidence plan of the Country Strategic Plan (CSP) and WFP corporate policies, processes and guidance to enable effective decision-making.
• Lead a team of national (and at times international) staff to develop, update, and oversee analysis and operational plans to ensure evidence generation products meet requirements with a focus on localization of key technical capacities and institutions.
• Provide leadership to WFP’s research, assessment and monitoring endeavors including setting strategic and technical requirements in developing a food security monitoring system in support of data-driven decision-making and with a focus on country capacity strengthening. Contribute to the targeting analysis and development of criteria for various programmes and advise the programme team in developing a targeting standard operating procedure (SOP).
• Work together with existing and new in-country, regional and global partners to integrate multi-hazard early warning systems, climate analysis into vulnerability analysis and mapping leading to preparation of contingency plans focusing on risk-informed approaches to inform the national and local governments’ decision-making and WFP Country Office advocacy, policy and programmes.
• Provide technical advice and support to government, WFP and cooperating partner staff on matters pertaining to food security and nutrition strategies, policies, programmes, and facilitate the timely and efficient use of products in a manner that complies with WFP standards and processes and considers gender and social inclusion.
• Provide technical and managerial leadership to VAM and MRE functions to develop and follow up on joint RAM workplan, coordinate planning and implementation of evidence generating activities (such as: Cost of the Diet / Fill the Nutrient gap analysis, post-distribution monitoring, process monitoring, essential needs analysis, minimum expenditure basket, choice of transfer modalities, etc).
• Lead and manage the development of research and evidence generation plan for the Country Office in collaboration with programme unit and cross-functional units in the country office.

2) Monitoring, reporting and evaluation (MRE)

• Ensure that high standard evidence generation systems and tools compliant with corporate standards including the risk-based minimum monitoring requirements (MMR), standard operating procedures (SOPs) and establishment of baselines and targets in alignment with the updated corporate results framework are in place.
• Provide regular and up-to-date analysis and information on the food and nutrition security situation and related developments to the Head of Programme (HoP) and senior management including identifying the potential impact on WFP activities to enable timely and appropriate programme adjustment.
• Provide inputs to the development of Monitoring, Review and Evaluation plans that will provide the most relevant and strategic information towards achieving expected results (as set out in the current and forthcoming Country Strategic Plan (CSP) and other global and regional plans compliant with WFP evaluation and monitoring requirements.
• Work with the GEDSI and AAP team to strengthen the CFM system through implementation of corporate tools and systems (SugarCRM) and use of issue trackers, instituting follow- up actions and closure of beneficiary feedback and complaints.
• Coordinate and manage operational / thematic / collaborative research initiatives and actively engage with relevant stakeholders such as the World Bank, IMF, ADB, USAID and others to promote and contribute to the analysis and production of thematic briefs on key areas of interest such as food security, safety nets / social protection.
• Provide inputs to the development and implementation of national government and inter-agency monitoring, reporting and evaluation frameworks, including the United Nations Sustainable Development Assistance Framework (UNSDCF)
• Support WFP Management in addressing recommendations from monitoring, reviews, evaluations and audit to ensure that follow-up actions are taken, and issues addressed ad closed timely.
• Lead the process of internal and external evaluation exercise from inception to completion. This includes identifying a firm for an independent evaluation, facilitating secondary data review and primary data collection based on the scope of evaluation and methodologies required, disseminating the findings, and facilitating their use in future policy, programme design and implementation.

3) Representation and coordination

Represent WFP in relevant fora such as the Food Security Development Partners Group (FSDPG) and provide WFP’s input to the UNSDCF workplans and reports (such as update of the Common Country Analysis / CCA), contribute to technical discussions, exchange knowledge and best practices, identify opportunities for potential collaboration and strategic partnerships for strengthening national RAM capacity.
Participate in relevant coordination forums, inter-agency forums, working groups and technical meetings and discussions, exchange of knowledge and experience, promote the importance of timely evidence generation and build partnerships.

4) Capacity strengthening
Regularly assess internal WFP, Government and cooperating partner staff capacity related to VAM and MRE and ensure adequate capacity strengthening support is provided mainly focusing on analysis of food security, nutrition, market, resilience, gender and related topics

5) Leadership and team management
Provide strategic leadership, supervision, coaching and guidance to VAM and MRE staff and focal points across the programme unit
Develop annual workplan and budget for VAM and MRE and coordinate its implementation
Manage staff performance and evaluations by providing regular feedback and through periodic performance appraisals

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Advanced University degree in Agricultural Economics, Statistics, International Affairs, Sociology, Development Studies or relevant fields of study.

Desired skills: Knowledge of statistical analysis tools such as SPSS, STATA, Tableau, and ArcGIS, etc

Language: Excellent written and oral communications skills in English.

DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE

• At least 6 years or more years of relevant professional work experience in international development or humanitarian work;
• has led and/or managed evidence generation, monitoring and evaluation activities;
• is familiar with IT solutions in support of programme and project monitoring.
• Experience in managing diverse teams of technical staff.
• Has experience working across the Program portfolio including VAM/Nutrition.

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK: COMMON STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOUR

Leads by example with Integrity
Drives results and Delivers on commitments
Fosters inclusive and collaborative teamwork.
Applies strategic thinking
Builds and maintains sustainable partnerships