VAM Associate

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WFP seeks candidates of the highest integrity and professionalism who share our humanitarian principles.

Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis, and we are committed to promoting diversity and gender balance.

ABOUT WFP

On 27 February 2019, the WFP´s Executive Board approved the Country Strategic Plan (CSP) for Nicaragua. During the implementation, which start on April 1st, 2019, of this CSP - WFP will monitor performance in collaboration with government partners, following a results-based and gender-responsive approach for measuring outcomes, processes and output indicators in targeted municipalities. The logical framework will provide the basis for the monitoring system: WFP will conduct or follow-up baseline studies in order to set outcome indicator values. Data will be collected through field visits and surveys complemented by records provided by partners and supplier. The use of electronic systems and mobile devices will optimize the processing of data. Monitoring will be conducted after distributions take place and outcome monitoring will be carried out annually with the findings measured against baseline values. All indicators will be disaggregated and analysed by age and gender. WFP will use feedback from stakeholders to inform the design and implementation of corrective measures as required. A beneficiary feedback mechanism will be established if possible and WFP will invest in ensuring that monitoring personnel are knowledgeable and skilled in gender-responsive monitoring.

The 2019 -2023 CSP puts Nicaragua´s Country Teams at the heart of change, empowering them to design and deliver coherent Country Strategic Plans. To succeed, NICO need to be equipped with the right staff, capabilities, and structures, to maximize their ability to achieve strategic outcomes. A new dimension of data analysis to integrate into the monitoring process is how the COVID-19 will impact WFP targeted populations as well as implementing activities.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

This job is found in Nicaragua Country Office, reports and operate under supervision and technical guidance of the Head of M&E and VAM unit. Job holder will be part of a team where senior support is readily available, and its main function will be to integrate the impact of COVID-19 into the monitoring process and produce relevant analysis that allows WFP Country Office to take informed decisions based on evidence.

JOB PURPOSE

The Vulnerability Mapping Associate, will be responsible for data collection and analysis of Food security and nutrition, of socio-economic context and impact of shocks to strengthen WFP knowledge base and understanding of COVID pandemic.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Experience: Minimum of five years of relevant professional work experience including monitoring and evaluation activities. Experience using a variety of quantitative and qualitative analytical tools and methods.

Education: Advanced university degree in sociology, economics, agriculture, geography, nutrition, rural development or similar relevant discipline.

Language: Fluency (level C) in English language.

DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE

• Previous experience in humanitarian or development contexts.
• Strong knowledge of food and nutrition security analysis and assessments and the data collection, treatment, and manipulation techniques typically associated with it;
• Advanced knowledge of statistical analysis;

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

1. Support the development of food security and vulnerability analysis and the preparation of timely reports on food assessment needs in line with wider VAM policies, processes and guidance to enable effective decision-making on the development of country strategy, policies and programmes;
2. Support the CO with food security and vulnerability information management capacity by maintaining and updating databases of socioeconomic data, including the impact of crisis in Nicaragua, thus contributing to WFP knowledge base and the understanding of food security and vulnerability issues at country level;
3. Carry out economic and social analysis of context, thematic studies and research on topics as requested in the face of different events and / or emergencies, pandemic relevant to the strategic positioning of WFP in the country;
4. Support the CO with food security and vulnerability information management capacity by maintaining and updating databases of socioeconomic data;
5. Contribute to the development of VAM projects and activities, plans and processes, ensuring alignment with wider WFP policies and guidance;
6. Support the capacity building of WFP staff, partners and national government to conduct vulnerability analysis to effectively inform preparedness and response activities;
7. In coordination with the field offices, follow up on the monitoring of consumer prices of basic grains in local markets and in WFP intervention areas, as well as monitoring of prices to farmers, wholesalers and agricultural inputs;
8. Training for field monitors on the use of designed monitoring instruments, use of mobile devices and data entry, utilizing remote techniques when needed;
9. Provide assistance on the coordination of qualitative and quantitative data gathering through statistically sound systems, ensuring that rigorous quality standards are maintained;
10. Provide capacity strengthening to institution-led database (e.g. registers, data base of schools, etc), as required by WFP strategic partners, and other capacity strengthening activities related to VAM areas which may be requested by the national or local authorities in the framework of our CSP.
11. Other duties as required.

4Ps CORE ORGANISATIONAL CAPABILITIES

Purpose

• Understand and communicate the Strategic Objectives: Coaches team in the most effective ways to communicate WFP’s Strategic Objectives to WFP team and partners in the field.
• Be a force for positive change: Implements new methods or tools to improve team’s work processes and productivity.
• Make the mission inspiring to our team: Maps team’s activities and tasks to specific successes in beneficiary communities to showcase positive impact.
• Make our mission visible in everyday actions: Explains to teammates how each unit contributes to the overall WFP mission.

People

• Look for ways to strengthen people's skills: Identifies skill development opportunities such as training modules or on-the-job experiences for self, colleagues and direct reports.
• Create an inclusive culture: Facilitates team building activities to build rapport in own unit.
• Be a coach & provide constructive feedback: Facilitates the pairing of junior colleagues with coaches within own team.
• Create an “I will”/”We will” spirit: Proactively anticipates potential challenges and develops mitigation plans to ensure that team meets goals and targets.

Performance

• Encourage innovation & creative solutions: Identifies opportunities to be creative in own work and to help team be more innovative and accurate in their respective tasks and areas of work.
• Focus on getting results: Monitors team’s deliverables and provides feedback to ensure outcomes are delivered consistently and accurately.
• Make commitments and make good on commitments: Provides accurate guidance to team on expected responsibilities and tasks, whilst also upholding own commitment to the team.
• Be Decisive: Sets an example and provides guidance to junior team members on when to escalate issues when faced with challenging issues in the workplace or in the field.

Partnership

• Connect and share across WFP units: Facilitates partnerships with other WFP units to accomplish missions in the field.
• Build strong external partnerships: Sets an example and provides guidance to team on how to build relationships with external partners.
• Be politically agile & adaptable: Articulates to colleagues or direct reports the value of contributing to other WFP teams and agency partnerships in fulfilling WFP’s goals and objectives.
• Be clear about the value WFP brings to partnerships: Organizes, monitors, and prioritizes own and team’s efforts to ensure that they will fulfil the needs of internal and external partners.

FUNCTIONAL CAPABILITIES

Capability Name Description of the behaviour expected for the proficiency level Strategic Management

Demonstrates understanding of humanitarian and development actions in different contexts, and applies it to enhance existing monitoring and evaluation systems that support WFP’s strategic objectives. Can demonstrate to stakeholders the value of monitoring and evaluation for policy and programming. Has knowledge of identifying m&e needs and of analysing existing evidence needs and contributes to the design of a comprehensive monitoring, review and evaluation plan that will address learning and accountability needs.

Performance Management

Has performance management cycle skills to support the design and development of monitoring and evaluation systems in line with WFP corporate standards. Demonstrates understanding of internal and external best practices and supports the development and implementation of optimal monitoring, review and/or evaluation arrangements. Has knowledge of the Theory of Change approach and process and can support the CO team in developing a ToC for moderately complex programmes. Has knowledge of international norms and standards for evaluation and can apply them appropriately, seeking advice where appropriate.

Methodology, Approaches and Analysis

Reviews and provides feedback on the selection and application of high quality, credible, analytical approaches, and qualitative and quantitative methods appropriate to monitoring and review requirements and evaluation needs. Support the development of tors for decentralized evaluations and reviews. Has knowledge of a range of evaluation, data collection and analysis methods and can identify key methodological requirements for various types of evaluation and review the evaluation design proposed by evaluation teams seeking advice where appropriate. Can validate data quality and ensure that data collection and analysis have been conducted ethically.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

POSITION: VAM Associate

TYPE OF CONTRACT: Contract Service - SC6/1

DUTY STATION (City, Country): Managua, Nicaragua

DURATION: Six (6) months. Renewal subject to funds and performance.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

Deadline for applications closes on 31 August de 2021 at 4:00 pm Nicaragua time.

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Female applicants are especially encouraged to apply.

Position open for Nicaraguan nationals only.

WFP has zero tolerance for discrimination and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status.

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.