Research, Assessment and Monitoring (RAM) Officer

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

The WFP Country Strategic Plan (2019-2023) aims to complement and contribute to the Government of Cambodia’s efforts to achieve zero hunger through supporting school feeding programmes, strengthening resilient local food systems, enhancing government capacities on crisis management and disaster risk reduction, promoting digital transformation, enhancing food security, nutrition and social protection governance and providing supply chain services. The Country Strategic Plan is aligned with the Government’s Rectangular Strategy for Growth, Employment, Equity and Efficiency Phase IV (2019-2023), and priorities identified in the National Strategy for Food Security and Nutrition (2019-2023), National Social Protection Policy Framework (2016-2025), National Action Plan for Disaster Risk Reduction (2019-2023) and the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (2019-2023).

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the head of Research, Assessment and Monitoring (RAM) or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer RAM Officer will:

RAM systems

• Support the development of building blocks of the WFP Cambodia evidence value chain including a research agenda and an evidence communication plan; • Support the development/update of the CO RAM strategy; • Contribute to the development and maintenance of data infrastructure, including standardized and automated data collection, cleaning, analysis, reporting, and visualization templates using statistical/programming software, automated scripts, and machine learning approaches (if applicable);

Evidence generation

• Assist in the development of guiding questions, methodologies and analytical frameworks for assessments, research studies and monitoring exercises, including advanced research and monitoring designs such as longitudinal studies and high-frequency surveys, etc. • Support the timely generation and dissemination of quality evidence from assessments, research, and monitoring exercises to inform national policy/programmes/counterparts, based on identified information needs; • Conduct advanced quantitative and qualitative analysis on data pertaining to food security, nutrition, (urban) vulnerability, climate change, shocks and social protection, etc.; • Prepare frequent and high-quality internal briefs/reports based on monitoring and assessment data to inform programme adjustments and enable evidence-based decision-making;

Learning & Capacity Strengthening

• Support the setup and improvement of internal systems and processes to generate and leverage institutional learning including lessons learned and challenges; • Contribute to internal and external capacity strengthening initiatives of WFP around vulnerability analysis and M&E, in particular for the WFP Area Office (AO) as well as national counterparts.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; • Provide annual and end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers; • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Results/expected outputs

• As an active WFP team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to WFP and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including: • Relevant assessment, monitoring, and research studies conducted, and high-quality knowledge products disseminated, based on relevant stakeholder information needs • CO data infrastructure upgraded including enhanced (and automated) data analysis, visualization, and reporting templates for different recurring data collections and strengthened capacity of CO/AO staff on utilization • System and processes for internal learning in place • CO RAM strategy developed/updated including an updated evidence value chain validated internally and with national counterparts • Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment • A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to WFP; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to WFP procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; • Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and WFP in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority; • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; • Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. • Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities; • Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; • Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary; • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards WFP’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

M&E/data analysis/research with a focus on food security/nutrition/climate change/social protection;

Proficiency in Windows MS Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook) and software/packages for statistical analysis and visualization desired (SPSS/R/Stata, Tableau/PowerBI/Adobe Illustrator);

Behavioral competencies such as Action Management, Client Orientation, Cognitive Capacity, Innovation, Partnering and Teamwork.

The climate of Cambodia is tropical, monsoonal and is characterized by heat and humidity. The rainy season is May to October and the hot, dry season is November to April. Houses and apartments are available to suit most budgets and preferences. House hunting is not difficult in Phnom Penh. The usual means of locating suitable accommodation is through estate agents/realtors. The National UN Volunteer is required to follow the UN residential security requirements as per the local MORSS when choosing their accommodation. For daily transportation in Phnom Penh taxis and tuk-tuks (a motor-powered rickshaw) are widely available through ride sharing applications. Some UN volunteers chose to purchase their own mode of transportation, be it a car, a motorbike or a bicycle. It is strictly recommended by UN security to wear seatbelts in cars and helmets when traveling on motorbikes, tuk-tuk or bicycling. In terms of health, common diseases in Cambodia are those which exist in other tropical countries like diarrhoea, malaria, and dengue. Most of the serious cases have been reported contracted in hilly, rural and densely forested areas. City dwellers like in Phnom Penh can also be at risk due to poor disposal of waste. Generally, in cities, people use purified water for drinking and cooking. The recommended vaccinations are those against typhoid, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Tuberculosis and Japanese Encephalitis. While medical facilities in Cambodia are sufficient for the treatment of most routine ailments and minor accidents, illnesses and accidents of more serious nature require medical evacuation, usually to Bangkok or Singapore. The current security level is UNDSS Level 1.