Researcher
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: Researcher
Type of Contract: Consultancy
Division: Needs Assessment & Targeting Unit (RAM-N)
Duty Station (City, Country): HQ-Rome
Duration: 6 months from Entry on Duty (with possibility of extension)
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:
Assisting over 100 million people in more than 80 countries each year, the World Food Programme (WFP) is the leading humanitarian organization saving lives and changing lives, delivering food assistance in emergencies, working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience, and partnering with governments to strengthen social protection systems. To be effective in this mandate WFP must ensure that it reaches the right people and that it manages its relationship with those individuals and their communities in a responsible, accountable, and effective manner.
WFP is facing an increasingly challenging situation as the number, scale and duration of emergencies have headed in the wrong direction in recent years. WFP estimates that up to 349 million people will be acutely food insecure or at high risk in 2022 across 79 counties where WFP operates, compared to 283 million in 2021 (80 countries).1
The number of assisted people has also been increasing, but not to the same extent. In 2021, WFP provided direct assistance to the highest number of beneficiaries yet, 128 million people, compared to 115 million in 2020 and 82 million people in 2016. As the increase in number of people in humanitarian need is outstripping the increase in resources available to address those needs, WFP and partners are subsequently forced to prioritize assistance within targeted populations, far beyond the common definitions of need. Main beneficiary prioritization strategies include adjustments to i) the transfer sizes, ii) the duration of assistance, and iii) the number of people/households assisted.
While a range of methodologies to select beneficiaries, transfer values and other key programme design elements are used, prioritization decisions often boil down to one core question: should WFP provide less assistance to a higher number of beneficiaries (depth), or more assistance to fewer (breadth)? To answer this question, WFP RAM division is commencing a study with the aim of understanding the decision-making parameters, programmatic considerations, contextual factors that impacts the operationalization of these prioritization options.
WFP’s Needs Assessment and Targeting Unit (RAM-N) is now recruiting a Researcher who will be supporting the ‘breadth vs. depth study’. Reporting to the Senior Targeting Analyst in RAM-N, under the overall guidance of the Head of Unit, and in close collaboration with RAM, CBT, and Programme divisions and units at global-, regional- and country office levels, the researcher will be responsible for conducting qualitative data collection and analysis, reviewing program documents and technical reports, engaging in programme and policy discussions to produce four case studies on the breadth dilemma in WFP operations.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
In close coordination with the Targeting Analyst, the Researcher will be responsible for the following activities:
- Coordinate the study activities including potential partner management from the RAM side
- Develop qualitative data collection tools
- Conduct discussions with key internal and external stakeholders of relevance to the scope of the study (eg. FGD/IDI/KIs)
- Conduct qualitative analysis of relevant data
- Lead/support the production of case studies and policy briefs, utilizing the study findings as a foundation.
DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT:
- Four case studies on key operations are delivered
- A policy document on the depth vs. breadth dilemma in WFP is produced
STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Education:
Advanced University degree or University degree in one or more of the following disciplines: International Affairs, Economics, Social Sciences, or other field relevant to international development assistance.
Experience:
- Minimum 5 years of post-graduate, progressively responsible experience in international humanitarian and/or development settings, ideally with specific focus on implementing cash transfers.
- Knowledge of M&E and hands-on field experience designing and/or implementing social cash transfers (with WFP Country Offices or with Governments) is a strong asset for this role.
Knowledge and Skills:
- Advanced skills in qualitative data collection, Focus group discussions and KII.
- Specific experience in calculating, adjusting and negotiating transfer values, as well as understanding the complexities and trade-offs, working directly with senior management and decision makers.
- Proactive attitude, with initiative and a sense of accountability.
- Ability to review and synthesize analytical reporting.
- Excellent interpersonal, communication, and facilitation skills (written and oral).
- Experience working in dynamic and innovative environments
- Ability to work independently, interacting with a diverse set of internal and external stakeholders;
- Willingness to travel to hardship duty stations as allowed and required; and
- Competencies: Cognitive Capacity, Teamwork, Action Management, Innovation, Partnerships, Client Orientation
Languages:
Excellent spoken and written English; knowledge of French and/or Spanish is an advantage.
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: 11 March 2023
Ref.: VA No. 532091
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.
