Monitoring Consultant
WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, color, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status, physical or mental disability.
Job Title: Monitoring Consultant
Type of Contract: Regular consultancy (CST)
Division: RAM-M Field Monitoring Services/RAM
Duty Station (City, Country): Rome, Italy
Duration: 1 February 2023 – 31 July 2023 (with possibility of extension)
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:
The ‘Research, Assessment and Monitoring’ (RAM) Division is responsible for supporting the field in the tracking, collecting and analysis of programme performance to inform decision-making, maintain operational focus on results, and generate data for outcome/impact analysis and evaluations. WFP Monitoring teams regularly collect quantitative and qualitative data as per the corporate monitoring framework, however, full utilization of qualitative data has been a gap regionally and globally.
From 2020-2022, RAM has substantially built WFP and partner staff’s capacity to conduct qualitative research through developing e-learnings and guidance documents, facilitating trainings and providing on-demand technical support. In addition, RAM has worked with other Programme units to enhance qualitative data collection and analysis across programmatic areas. Based in the Field Monitoring Unit (RAM-M), the consultant will continue to develop staff capacity on qualitative data methodologies, as well as work with technical units to integrate qualitative data in WFP monitoring systems and analysis approaches, with the objective to expand WFP’s evidence base to guide WFP’s programmatic approaches and demonstrate long-term impact.
ACCOUNTABILITIES / RESPONSIBILITIES:
Under the direct supervision of the RAM-M (Monitoring Officer- Measurement Framework & Methods), the consultant will be responsible for the following tasks:
RAM Qualitative Research Roadmap and Task Force
- activities and summary of consultations on qualitative evidence for decision-making.
- Lead the Qualitative Research Task Force (TF), which aims to harmonize and foster synergies in standards, tools and methodologies for qualitative research across Programme technical units;
- Lead the TF quarterly meetings and co-facilitate regular meetings for each of the three workstreams (in coordination with the workstream chairs);
- Support, monitor and coordinate the work of the TF workstream action plan and deliverables.
Qualitative Research Trainings, Guidance and Tools
- Train the Regional Bureaux (RB) on how to facilitate the Qualitative Research Facilitated Course, including implementation of the Training of Trainers (ToT) for RB of Panama, and support RBs as they roll out their cohorts;
- Regularly track WFP staff and partner’s use of key qualitative guidance documents and completion rates of the open access and self-paced Qualitative Research e-learnings; publicize and promote the use of these learning resources;
- Draft guidance on techniques for reporting on qualitative data and qualitative research budgeting practices;
- Develop and implement a ‘Qualitative Research Country Office (CO) Capacity Assessment Tool’, a checklist for RBs to identify CO levels of capacity in different areas of qualitative research, and subsequently to build CO where there are gaps;
- Manage a roster of social scientists with expertise in qualitative research;
- Provide on-demand technical feedback and support to HQ units, RBs and COs on qualitative research project methodologies, tools, data analysis and reporting.
Qualitative Data Analysis Software
- Manage the LTA process for qualitative data analysis software, including NVivo and Atlas.ti;
- Draft guidance on selecting and using software for qualitative data analysis and provide on-demand technical support to WFP staff for the use of qualitative data analysis software.
Qualitative Data for Evidence-Based Decision-Making
- Maintain an updated repository of qualitative evidence produced by WFP, including RB and CO qualitative reports, and ensure this information is accessible and disseminated to colleagues.
- Raise awareness of the importance and use of qualitative research, as well as availability of qualitative research guidance and tools with WFP senior management through the ‘Evidence for Leaders’ campaign.
Technical Support to other divisions and RBs upon demand
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
Education:
Advanced University degree in Anthropology, Sociology, Social Development, Development Economics, International Relations or Performance Management or other relevant field.
Experience:
At least 3 years of relevant working experience in qualitative operational research and/or project operations management, including design and management of qualitative research projects within assessments, monitoring, evaluations or operational research;
Experience conducting qualitative data collection and analysis in low- and middle-income settings;
Use of qualitative data analysis software (NVivo, Atlast.ti or MAXQDA;
Reporting and communicating on qualitative data including designing effective evidence products;
Capacity building of stakeholders on methodologies for qualitative data collection, analysis and reporting’
Preferred familiarity with WFP’s programmatic approaches and cross-cutting priorities.
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:
Strong experience in use of qualitative data approaches and capacity building on qualitative data;
Adequate analytical skills in qualitative research and ability to communicate clearly both orally and in writing;
Able to work with minimum supervision.
Languages:
International Professional: Fluency (level C) in English language.
Intermediate knowledge (level B) of a second official UN language: Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish, and/or WFP’s working language, Portuguese.
Terms and Conditions:
WFP offers a competitive compensation package which will be determined by the contract type and selected candidate’s qualifications and experience.
Please visit the following websites for detailed information on working with WFP.
http://www.wfp.org Click on: “Our work” and “Countries” to learn more about WFP’s operations.
Deadline for applications: 30 December 2022
Ref.: VA No. 178938
WFP has a zero-tolerance approach to conduct such as fraud, sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to WFP’s standards of conduct and will therefore undergo rigorous background verification internally or through third parties. Selected candidates will also be required to provide additional information as part of the verification exercise. Misrepresentation of information provided during the recruitment process may lead to disqualification or termination of employment
WFP will not request payment at any stage of the recruitment process including at the offer stage. Any requests for payment should be refused and reported to local law enforcement authorities for appropriate action.
