VAM Officer, Vulnerability Based Targeting Analyst, P3 – HQ, Rome

Job Title: VAM Officer, Vulnerability Based Targeting Analyst, P3 – HQ, Rome

 

 

WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees. We encourage qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status or disability.

 

 

Are you a Programme Policy Officer interested in further developing your professional experience while contributing to ending global hunger? Are you passionate about helping those in need? Would you like to join a global organization investing in its people?

 

 

If so, an exciting & fulfilling career awaits you! Join our diverse and passionate team that works on varied and international projects directly contributing to saving & changing millions of lives around the globe. 

 

 

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

 

Applications must be submitted by Tuesday, April 30th, 2024 (11:59 PM CET)

 

 

WHO WE ARE

 

 

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), a highly prestigious, reputable & world’s largest humanitarian organization, operating in more than 120 countries and territories, bringing life-saving assistance in emergencies, building pathways to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change and supporting sustainable and resilient livelihoods for a world with zero hunger.

 

At WFP, people are at the heart of everything we do and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse, committed, skilled, and high performing teams, selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living WFP’s values (Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves. 

 

 

To learn more about WFP, visit our website: UN World Food Programme (WFP) and follow us on social media to keep up with our latest news: YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter.

 

 

 

WHY JOIN US?

 

 

• WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate
• WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse and multicultural working environment
• WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of trainings, accreditation, coaching, mentorship and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities
• A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across various country, regional and global offices around the world, and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe
• We offer an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section)

 

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

 

 

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.

 

 

As a result of conflicts, climate change, and the impact of COVID-19, hunger has been on the rise globally over the past years. While WFP thanks to increasing donor contributions has been able to significantly scale up its response, the gap between needs and resources available to address those needs is growing. This stresses further the importance of robust targeting and prioritization processes, ensuring that the most destitute and vulnerable people are assisted timely.

 

 

With more pressure on country offices to conduct complex targeting and prioritization exercises, there is a rapidly growing demand for support from Regional Bureaux (RBx) and Headquarters (HQ) on targeting-related issues. To better meet demand, a joint project between the Research Assessment and Monitoring (RAM) and Programme & Policy (PD) divisions in HQ and WFP’s six RBx was initiated in 2020. The Targeting Strengthening Initiative recognizes the continuous and cross-functional nature of targeting and is focused on enhancing capacities and strengthening the evidence-base to inform policy decisions, which in turn are reflected in better and more comprehensive guidance, tools and learning materials for colleagues in the field.

 

 

In addition to internal efforts to strengthen targeting, the Joint UNHCR and WFP Programme Excellence and Targeting Hub was established in 2020 and is co-managed by RAM and Programme on the WFP side. ‘The Hub ‘aims to operationalize joint commitments building on the 2011 Memorandum of Understanding, including the Joint Principles on Targeting. Thematic experts provide country-level support to priority operations across the programme cycle, including needs assessments and targeting, and is an important operational partner of WFP and the Targeting Strengthening Initiative.

 

 

In addition to internal efforts to strengthen targeting, the RAM and Programme & Policy divisions are collaborating to implement the BHA-funded “Enabling Integration- EN-IN” project, which aims to enhance WFP’s methods to measuring vulnerability and targeting for social protection programs, ensuring responsive action in both emergency and transitional contexts. This project aligns with WFP’sstrategic goals, championing evidence-based, people-focused targeting, and innovation in line with WFP’s Social Protection and urban strategies.

 

 

WFP’s Needs Assessment and Targeting Unit (RAMN) is actively seeking a Vulnerability Based Targeting analyst to enhance the technical targeting capabilities within RAMN. This role is pivotal in augmenting targeting competencies across a diverse range of WFP initiatives. The incumbent will also play an important role in providing both technical and operational assistance to key operations and RBxs. The responsibilities will also encompass the creation, testing, and evaluation of targeting methodologies. Furthermore, the incumbent will contribute to converting research insights and practical experiences into comprehensive guidelines, tools, and educational resources for field practitioners.

 

 

THE ROLE

Under the overall guidance of the Head of Unit, and the direct supervision of the Targeting Officer, the VBT analyst will work in close collaboration with the unit’s targeting team, and will coordinate with relevant divisions and units at global-, regional- and country office levels, the Joint UNHCR/WFP Programme Excellence and Targeting hub, and be responsible for the following activities:

 

• Providing technical support for targeting and enhancing its operational capacity, facilitating of targeting-focused capacity strengthening events and producing guidance materials.
• Providing technical and operational support on Targeting and Prioritization to WFP country offices, with a focus on high-risk operations.
• Contributing to the development, testing, evaluation and mainstreaming of targeting methods and documenting best practices.
• Developing targeting related learning materials for regional and country-level learning events, including webinars.
• Providing strategic technical support to the global targeting network, including regional targeting officers, the WFP-UNHCR joint HUB, and similar teams.
• Supporting the development of vulnerability measurement and targeting methods for social protection systems as part of the “Enabling Integration- EN-IN” project.
• Contributing to targeting-related research and innovation efforts for the advancement of targeting methods and approaches.
• Any other related tasks as agreed with the direct supervisor and Head of Unit.

 

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive):

 

 

• Strategic and technical advice, support and guidance provided to RBx and priority country operations.
• Targeting capacity across functions at country-, regional-, and headquarter levels enhanced.
• Lessons learned and best practices are documented and inform improved Targeting and Prioritization guidance and related learning materials; and
• “Enabling Integration- EN-IN” project is advancing as per the project plan

QUALIFICATIONS & KEY REQUIREMENTS

 

Education:

 

Advanced university degree in social science, public health, statistics, geography, economics, or related field.

 

 

Experience:

 

• At least 5 years mixed experience in conducting assessments, analysis, targeting, as well as programme implementation in humanitarian and development contexts.
• Proven expertise in designing, implementing, and evaluating targeting systems, in the humanitarian and social protection contexts.
• Experience with evaluation methods and other evidence-based policy design and evaluation approaches.

 

Languages:

 

 

Strong written and oral English skills (proficiency/level C), working knowledge in a second UN language is required.

 

 

MORE ABOUT YOU

 

 

• Demonstrated expertise in advanced statistical and econometric analysis, with proficiency in STATA and R.
• Experience in conducting and overseeing participatory qualitative data collection, including through Focus Group Discussions, key Informant Interviews etc.
• Experience working in multistakeholder and complex structures.
• 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

 

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK

 

These are the common standards of behaviour that guide HOW we work together to accomplish our mission.

 

Leads by Example with Integrity	Drives Results and Delivers on Commitments	Fosters Inclusive and Collaborative Teamwork	Applies Strategic Thinking	Builds and Maintains Sustainable Partnerships
Lives the WFP values and shows humanity and integrity by role modelling care for others	Delivers on commitments and adapts readily to change	Is inclusive and collaborative, and contributes to a culture of learning and personal growth	Demonstrates commitment to gather perspectives, analyse options and risks, and propose new ways of doing things	Builds and nurtures  external partnerships and collaborates with partners to deliver common objectives

 

 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

 

This is an International Professional position and candidates must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.

The selected candidate will be employed on a limited fixed-term contract of 2 year renewable.

Limited Fixed-Term Appointment (LFT) position is a non-mobile staff appointment in the international professional category for a limited period for up to 4 years. The position is based in Accra, Ghana and the selected candidate will be expected to relocate. Incumbents of LFT positions are not eligible to apply for other mobile positions advertised internally through the Reassignment.

WFP offers an attractive compensation and benefits package in line with ICSC standards (https://icsc.un.org/) including basic salary, post adjustment, relocation entitlement, visa, travel and shipment allowances, 30 days’ annual leave, home leave, an education grant for dependent children, a pension plan, and medical insurance.

 

REMINDER BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

 

• We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, language skills and UN Grade (if applicable)
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Please make sure you upload your professional CV in the English language
• Kindly note the only documents you will need to submit at this time are your CV and Cover Letter
• Additional documents such as passport, recommendation letters, academic certificates, etc. may potentially be requested at a future time
• Please contact us at [email protected] in case you face any challenges with submitting your application
• Only shortlisted candidates will be notified

 

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.