Head of Research, Assessments & M&E (Economist) Bishkek International Consultant

Programme & Policy

WFP encourages female candidates and people with disabilities to apply.

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 encourage qualified candidates to apply irrespective of religion or belief, ethnic or social background, gender, gender identity and disability.

Are you an Economist interested in further developing your professional experience while contributing to ending global hunger? Would you like to join WFP, a highly reputable organisation bringing positive change to lives of people affected by hardships? Would you like to join a global organisation investing in its people?

The Kyrgyz Country Office is looking for a Head of its Research, Assessments & M&E team based in Bishkek.

Job Title: Head of Research, Assessments & M&E (Economist)

Grade: International Consultant

Type of contract: Regular consultancy

Duty Station: Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic Vacancy Number: 833616

Date of Publication: 14 June 2024

Deadline of Application: 30 June 2024

PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

Supervising the RAM team staffed with local experts in (1) M&E, (2) Vulnerability Assessment and Mapping plus (3) Data Analytics and Research, the Head of RAM complements the team with economics and/or public finance background (climate finance knowledge desirable), promotes evidence-based programme delivery and supports data literacy and resource-orientation across the office. With comprehensive country capacity strengthening objectives of the office, deliverables also include advisory and technical assistance work for national partners.

Supervision: The Head of RAM directly reports to the Deputy Country Director and supervises three national officers leading small teams based in Bishkek and Osh. Where RAM staff are involved in proposal or report writing, in digital offerings and other programme-related tools and analyses, close consultation with the Head of Programme/Outcome Managers, the Supply Chain unit and the External Relations team is expected.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive, nor exhaustive):

1. Lead and conduct economic analysis for WFP at the country level, guiding staff and relevant partners to predict and manage foreseeable risks relevant to food security and to assess value for money or sustainability of business models or project ideas.

2. Supervise the RAM staff of the office with transparent and efficient people management and continued development of a cohesive and high performing team.

3. Ensure efficient use of financial resources for achievement of set objectives.

4. Enhance WFP’s food systems and civil/social protection advisory role with economic and market analysis by representing WFP in meetings with strategic partners, contributing to technical discussions and joint publications as well as exchanging knowledge and experience with other institutions.

5. Contribute to the development of programme activities, providing technical analysis, interpretation and recommendations to facilitate food systems solutions .

6. Facilitate the timely and productive use of information in line with WFP processes and standards. Contribute to the development of systems and approaches for market assessments and price monitoring in line with innovative methodologies and best practice.

7. Support partners to enable sharing of experiences, lessons learned and standard methodologies. Act in an assigned emergency response capacity as required to meet emergency food assistance needs.

8. Build capacity of WFP staff, external organizations and national governments to conduct economic and market analysis to effectively inform policies and programmes.

9. Provide coaching and guidance to colleagues to ensure their development and enable them to perform at their best.

10. Other as required.

SPECIFIC JOB REQUIREMENTS (tasks to be shared between positions in Bishkek and Osh)

11. Contribute to research projects and activities supporting Climate Change Adaptation (CCA), Disaster Risk Management (DRM) and Shock-Responsive Social Protection Programmes as well as Farm-to-School and other Access-to-Market initiatives as per plans and processes of the RAM unit, informed by Programme needs, ensuring alignment with wider WFP policies and guidance as well as coordination with key partners.

12 Support the development of models, systems and tools for WFP and its counterparts in line with innovative methodologies and best practice, incl. for such tools as PRISM and SHAPES, which the CO is exploring for use of Kyrgyz Government’s risk-informed decision-making (strengthening of national disaster risk management and shock-responsive and adaptive social protection and food systems).

13. Support inter-agency analyses and assessments, as upcoming, for WFP and partners, incl for the UNSDCF (e.g. Common Country Analysis).

DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE:

• Previous staff supervisory & advisory work experience with a track record in coordination and teamwork.

• Evidence-generation experience: ideally, with a good understanding of the M&E chain in development programming or other thematic analytics for research, ability to quality assure the use of monitoring tools (questionnaires, instructions, sampling, analysis plan, etc.), track record to oversee data cleansing and processing (using statistics software – SPSS, R or STATA), knowledge of analytics and visualization in Excel (or Tableau or similar analytics tool, considered an advantage), and overall familiarity with quantitative and qualitative data collection and processing methods (incl. with AI and innovative tools, as in use in WFP).

• A proven ability to deliver high-quality work under tight deadlines and find pragmatic solutions.

• A strong foundation in econometrics or statistics and a passion for quantitative analysis; familiarity with methods for advanced price analysis as well as experience with general equilibrium modelling or impact evaluation are a plus.

• A good knowledge of the linkages between economics and food insecurity and, ideally, experience in quantifying the food security impact of economic shocks.

• Strong writing paired with data science and presentation skills; peer-reviewed publications an asset.

• Previous practical (field) experience working in humanitarian or development contexts and familiarity with Kyrgyz national systems considered an asset.

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK: COMMON STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOUR

Leads by Example with

Integrity

Upholds WFP values, principles, and standards

Demonstrates and encourages others to uphold the WFP values, principles and standards

Respects others and values diversity

Values diversity using respectful and inclusive language, and encourages others to do the same

Stays focused and calm under pressure

Stays focused and calm when under pressure,

encourages others to do the same, and offers guidance and support to manage difficult situations

Demonstrates humility and a willingness to learn

Demonstrates humility and a willingness to learn and share knowledge, frequently seeking and acting on

feedback, and pursuing

opportunities to

develop

Drives Results and Delivers on

Commitments

Delivers results for maximum impact

Identifies and aligns objectives to the required outcomes, holding self and/or others accountable for the delivery of results for maximum impact

Delegates appropriately

Delegates responsibly and provides appropriate support empowering others to deliver results

Adapts readily to change

Responds readily to change in different contexts and adapts accordingly

Fosters Inclusive and Collaborative

Is inclusive and collaborative

Promotes inclusive teamwork and psychological safety by encouraging colleagues to collaborate by sharing ideas and openly raising issues

Gives timely and constructive feedback

Supports development for others by giving timely and constructive feedback

Builds and shares new perspectives

Seeks out, trusts and listens attentively to diverse views to capture, learn, build and share new perspectives

Applies Strategic

Thinking

Communicates and

fulfils WFP’s vision

Communicates and fulfils WFP’s vision and operational outcomes to deliver meaningful solutions

Embraces curiosity and new ways of doing things

Demonstrates curiosity, and designs and implements new ways of doing things when relevant

Analyses and evaluates data

Gathers data and different perspectives, shares knowledge and uses evidence to inform decision making

Considers the impact of decisions

Implements decisions, considering the risks and implications of actions for teams, projects and other initiatives

Builds and

Maintains

Sustainable

Partnerships

Builds partnerships

Initiates and builds partnerships by identifying and promoting opportunities for mutual areas of interest and benefit

Collaborates to

deliver common objectives

Collaborates with partners to deliver common objectives by sharing information and cocreating innovative solutions with beneficiaries when appropriate

FUNCTIONAL CAPABILITIES:

Capability Name

Description of the behaviour expected for the proficiency level

Programme Lifecycle & Food

Assistance

Demonstrates ability to identify key variables and contextual factors that affect food assistance problems and programmes throughout the lifecycle to inform quality programme design or re-design.

Food Security Analysis

Applies advanced analytical knowledge to lead the management, design and implementation of food security and vulnerability analysis activities. Ensures that analysis remains the backbone of programmatic interventions through its lifecycle, ultimately contributing towards making communities food secure and resilient.

Technical Specialized

Knowledge (e.g., Economics,

Statistics, Public Health,

Remote Sensing, GIS, etc.)

Provides managerial and technical guidance for designing and conducting analyses, including computation, interpretation, and presentation of results for food security surveys and key indicators (comprehensive food security and vulnerability surveys, food security monitoring, implementing mobile surveys, market analysis, food consumption scores, coping strategies indices. data disaggregation, etc.).

Strategic Operational

Understanding

Demonstrates strong understanding of country operations to participate in response analysis exercises to improve the cohesion between analytical findings and programmatic response. Constructs evidence base underlying technical and policy advice given to stakeholders.

Strategic Policy Engagement w/Government

Understands and applies basic principles of engagement with government counterparts at the national or local level.

Education****: Advanced university degree in economics, agricultural economics, development economics, business administration, statistics, or similar field. A PhD would be an asset.

Language: Fluency (level C) in both oral and written communication in English and intermediate knowledge (level B) of a second official UN language: Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish, and/or Portuguese (a WFP working language). Proficiency in the duty station’s language(s) desirable (Russian or Kyrgyz, both considered an advantage).

All WFP Employees are expected to demonstrate the competencies and standards of behaviour aligned with our core values and defined in the WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK, namely:

Leading by example with integrity,

Driving results and delivering on commitments,

Fostering inclusive and collaborative teamwork,

Applying strategic thinking,

Building and maintaining sustainable partnerships.

HOW TO APPLY

To be considered, interested candidates are invited to apply via (https://www.wfp.org/careers/job-openings). Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

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.

Request for Disability related Reasonable Accommodations:

It is important to WFP to create an accessible and inclusive workplace for everyone. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the selection and hiring process, please direct your request and inquiries to the Diversity and Inclusion team on: [email protected]*, cc’ing* [email protected]*. A member of the reasonable accommodation team will contact you to confidentially discuss your needs.*

This email is only to be used for any disability related accessibility requirements, and not for sending the application itself. Due to volume of applications, any applications or CVs sent through this email address will not be considered as a formal application and will not receive a reply from WFP.

Please note that WFP may keep candidates who successfully passed recruitment tests and interviews, but were not the first-choice candidate selected for a position, on a roster for similar (or lower-level) upcoming positions or short-term opportunities for direct contracting. Successful candidates will be informed about their inclusion into the roster.

ABOUT WFP

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest 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.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

WFP’s vision is that people in the Kyrgyz Republic will have substantially increased access to national social protection systems that safeguard and foster their ability to meet their food security, nutrition and associated essential needs, and to manage the risks and shocks they face, with ample opportunity to graduate from poverty and contribute to sustainable food systems, national disaster risk management efforts and social cohesion.

WFP will support and promote the inclusion of people with diverse and often intersecting vulnerabilities and inequalities, by supporting nationally led social and civil protection systems and programmes (strengthening the government’s ability for anticipatory action and ensuring that no one is left behind) and by modelling new approaches within complementary WFP interventions (which can be adopted or transitioned), leveraging WFP’s global expertise in promoting healthy diets and sustainable food systems, climate risk management, warehousing, food safety, smallholder market access and innovations such as private sector-oriented solutions, micro-insurance and digital public goods.

Derived from the UN Cooperation Framework and national priorities, promoting participatory community engagement and nutrition-sensitive approaches, the 2nd generation Country Strategic Plan (2023-27 EN|RU) continues WFP’s human capital development, capacity building and productive asset creation activities to enhance the resilience and livelihoods of the poor and vulnerable, with a focus on food systems strengthening across three core pillars: (i) Social Protection; (ii) Climate Change Adaption, Disaster Risk Management & Emergency Preparedness; and (iii) Schools as platforms for healthy diets. In addition, a contingent emergency response outcome can be activated in case of need.

The Research, Assessment and Monitoring (RAM) team operates segregated from Programme under the supervision of the Deputy Country Director, and functions as a service provider, incl. for management and for external partners, for (not all-inclusive, nor exhaustive):

• Evaluation, Review and Impact Assessment include coordination of monitoring activities, managing or supporting the management of decentralized evaluations, supporting thematic/mid-term reviews and positioning WFP as a reliable partner for governments to build monitoring and evaluation strategies.
• Economic analysis, coupled with nutrition, social, political, gender and environmental analysis, is an indispensable element for a comprehensive and multidimensional understanding of the causes and the effects of hunger. The complex interplay of economic forces operating at the international, national, local and household levels is manifest in economic signals and choices such as prices, production and consumption that can lead to food insecurity and vulnerability.
• Leave-No-One-Behind (LNOB) Assessment and Targeting generates analyses to inform tailored vulnerability and quality needs assessments and related targeting processes across WFP and beyond.
• Climate and Earth Observation undertakes the analysis of remote sensing data across the full range of spatial resolutions. By leveraging satellite data and monitoring from above, our geospatial analysts observe growing seasons, provide climate analyses, assess refugee and IDP camp status, detect land cover changes across regions and countries where WFP operates in.
• Field Monitoring for tracking, collecting and analyzing programme performance to inform decision-making, maintain operational focus on results, and generate data for outcome / impact analyses.
• Market Analyses, including the Market Functionality Index (MFI) package (in collaboration with Supply Chain), labour market and value chain analyses.
• Essential Needs and Nutrition Analyses, covering supply assessments for essential needs or dietary intake (incl. minimum expenditure baskets), as well as the measuring set-up for effective Social Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC).
• Price data collection and price analysis, incl. calculating and using the Alert for Price Spikes (ALPS) Indicator.
• plus other.

.

WFP is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce. WFP has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, abuse of authority or discrimination. All selected candidates will, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.

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Added 8 days ago - Updated 2 hours ago - Source: wfp.org