Consultant- Head of Research, Assessment and Monitoring (RAM) - Vientiane

Programme & Policy

Overview

Lead the RAM unit managing data collection, analysis and research projects

You have:

• Master of Science degree in social sciences, statistics, agricultural economics, food security, nutrition or a closely related field
• At least five years of professional experience in monitoring and evaluation, data analysis, vulnerability analysis, food security and early warning, or a closely related field
• At least three years of experience in managing a team
• Strong knowledge and experience in using database and statistical software (SPSS, STATA, R script, MS Access) and data visualization platforms
• Strong English written and oral communication skills

JOB PURPOSE

The Consultant will serve as the head of the Research, Assessment and Monitoring (RAM) unit and will be responsible for managing and advising the data collection, analysis activities and research projects that the Country Office conducts, in coordination with partners and strengthen the technical capacity of the unit. The main activities of the unit are as follows: monitoring programme interventions, conducting assessments, defining and reviewing targeting/selection criteria for programmes, evaluating such interventions and managing, analysing, visualizing and reporting data to better inform programmes, management and partners.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

• Lead defining key context questions driving the new Country Strategic Plan (CSP) design and evidence questions for RAM and other evidence generation activities.
• Ensure all CSP Activities have a proper theory of change to map out logical pathways towards desired outcomes.
• Lead the development of Monitoring, Review and Evaluation plans that will provide the most relevant and strategic information toward achieving expected results (as set out in the CSP) and other global and regional plans), while being compliant with WFP evaluation and monitoring requirements.
• Budget for RAM costs and advocate for appropriate financial and human resourcing.
• Lead the monitoring of WFP activities, providing technical analysis, interpretation and information as required to support the assessment of activity impact. This includes organizing the collection, management, analysis and regular reporting of data on progress and issues with ongoing projects.
• Ensure the CO has an adequate data management and storage system using WFP corporate systems (COMET, MoDA) and provide regular oversight in using the systems following corporate requirements on reporting and data protection.
• Contribute and support evidence-based decision-making on programme design and implementation, notably through making monitoring, review and evaluations findings accessible, developing innovative, user-friendly and informative products.
• Support WFP Management in addressing recommendations from monitoring, reviews and evaluations to ensure that follow-up actions are taken as required in medium complex portfolios.

Key Accountabilities (Continue

• Keep up to date with and advise on food assistance developments issues and the potential impact upon WFP activities to enable timely and appropriate programme evolution and intervention.
• Provide expert advice and support WFP and its partners on matters pertaining to food security and nutrition strategies, policies, programmes, and ensure the timely and productive use of related outputs in a manner that complies with WFP standards and processes.
• Represent WFP during meetings with partners to contribute to technical discussions, exchange of knowledge and experience, advocate for appropriate interventions (based on an evidence base), and identify areas for potential collaboration.
• Lead operational partnerships, including inter-agency and government collaboration, to ensure a solid vulnerability assessment support in both emergency and non-emergency settings. Develop and maintain effective professional relationships with international and national counterparts. Oversee the research studies conducted in coordination with WFP by external parties. Provide leadership and support to relevant partners that are focusing on food security and nutrition to enable sharing of experience, lessons learned and best practice.
• Participate in relevant coordination forums, Inter-Agency forums, working groups, technical meetings and training activities within as well as outside of WFP Lao PDR. Represent WFP (e.g. at inter-agency meetings with other NGOs and government agencies) to exchange knowledge and experience, promote the importance of vulnerability analysis and monitoring and evaluation and build partnerships that enhance inter-agency joint assessment/monitoring activities.

Key Accountabilities (Continue

• Support the implementation of the WFP Lao’s PDR Country Strategic Plan through ensuring cross-cutting efforts such as nutrition-sensitivity, gender and diversity inclusion, protection and accountability, and capacity development, are integrated throughout the portfolio and to ensure equal participation and consideration of women and men, boys and girls, and people living with specific needs and/or disabilities;
• In collaboration with the regional bureau, lead monitoring and vulnerability assessment data standardisation and integration to establish adequate data environment from data collection to visualisation. Review assessment/PDM data as well as data collection forms/questionnaires and reconstruct them using the standardized codebook. Ensure storing of survey data/COMET data into the new data repository/platform and centralized database.
• Liaise with Programme Managers on a regular basis to define and amend the units workplan based on programmatic needs. Follow-up on unit findings to ensure that findings are used to design programmes and that corrective actions are taken and/or adjustments are made to Programme responses as required.

Key Accountabilities (Continue

Team management:

• Refine and manage the unit strategy, work plan and systems in line with the Country Office’s 2020-2022 Country Strategic Plan.
• Support team members through the stages of assessment and monitoring cycles. Review the quality of work amongst team members to ensure expected deliverables are meet in a timely manner.
• Manage unit staff members, provide coaching and guidance as required to ensure appropriate development and enable high performance, .
• Support unit colleagues to further develop and refine their VAM and M&E capacities. Conduct targeted trainings for staff, including providing (on the job) training on data collection, survey instrument design, data management, data cleaning and data analysis, upon need. Ensure regular trainings of national and partner staff are administered to increase the quality of work and encourage accountability for demonstrating results.
• Other as required.

OTHER SPECIFIC JOB REQUIREMENTS

WFP aims to unite everyone around our core PURPOSE

WFP recognizes the fundamental importance of our PEOPLE to be the best equipped to serve beneficiaries;

WFP must lead in fostering effective PARTNERSHIPS across the organization and with external parties, and we must continue to deliver strong PERFORMANCE for beneficiaries and our donors who entrust us with their funding.

DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE

Minimum qualifications:

A Master of Science degree in social sciences, statistics, agricultural economics, food security, nutrition or a closely related field.

Experience:

At least five years of professional experience in monitoring and evaluation, data analysis, vulnerability analysis, food security and early warning, or a closely related field.

At least three years of experience in managing a team.

Experience working in the humanitarian / development sector, able to perform and deliver in a timely manner.

Ability to work independently under minimum supervision and supervise a team.

Knowledge:

Strong knowledge and experience in using database and statistical software (SPSS, STATA, R script, MS Access) and data visualization platforms.

Strong English written and oral communication skills.

POSTING DATES

Posting date: 21 December 2020

Closing date: 11 January 2021

Apply now

Potential interview questions

Added 5 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: wfp.org