International Consultant II - Programme Policy Officer (Programme quality and Research/evidence)

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages 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.

ABOUT WFP

The World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity, for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

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: https://www.wfp.org and follow us on social media to keep up with our latest news: YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok.

WHY JOIN WFP? 

• 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 training, 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 the 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 of this vacancy announcement).

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

WFP Afghanistan’s Human Capital Development includes three main portfolios, Nutrition, School feeding and Social Protection. Nutrition portfolio includes both treatment and prevention of acute malnutrition across all provinces, with extensive collaboration with health authorities, UNICEF, WHO, local partners, and multiple internal units. School feeding portfolio delivers school meals using several local initiatives such as distribution of HEB, Samosa, bread plus, etc. the social protection is implementing cash plus Social and Behaviour Change for nutrition targeting households with pregnant and breastfeeding mothers and households with children under two.  

The Human Capital Development (HCD) Programme implementation and quality improvement require a robust data-driven approach to guide operational decisions, improve quality, and strengthen strategic positioning.

The consultant will report to the Head of Human Capital Development Unit and serve as a key technical lead for research, evidence generation, data interpretation, and programme quality assurance.

JOB PURPOSE

To provide technical leadership in data-driven, evidence-based programming, ensuring high-quality implementation, strong analytical capability, and well-informed strategic and operational decisions across WFP’s HCD portfolio in Afghanistan. Consultant also provides support to the operations and day-to- day implementation of the nutrition programme implementation.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

1. Evidence Generation, Research & Data Analysis

• Lead the design, implementation, and interpretation of analytical studies, operational research, surveys, and nutrition causal analysis.
• Strengthen nutrition data analysis systems, ensuring timely interpretation of programme performance, coverage trends, treatment outcomes, and performance and reporting indicators.
• Produce analytical dashboards, briefs, factsheets, vulnerability maps, and trend analyses to inform evidence-based programming and decision-making.
• Ensure programme design, adjustments and policy discussions are grounded in rigorous evidence and data trends.
• Shape and implement the WFP learning and research agenda on human capital development.

2. Technical Guidance & Programme Quality

• Provide high-level technical support on treatment and prevention of acute malnutrition, ensuring alignment with WFP, global standards and national protocols.
• Lead reviews and improvements of SOPs, guidelines, monitoring tools, and quality standards.
• Conduct field missions to evaluate service quality, identify gaps, assess data quality, and recommend corrective actions grounded in evidence.
• maintain strategic and operational partnerships for complementary and collaborative approaches and initiatives that improve social protection, School feeding and livelihoods work.
• Support integration of nutrition with school feeding, social protection, and livelihoods through evidence and data driven analysis.

3. Operational Support & Coordination

• Support the CO nutrition, the Area Offices and Cooperating Partners in addressing implementation challenges using data-informed problem-solving.
• Strengthen coordination with UNICEF, WHO, NGOs, and MoPH and other relevant stakeholders through consistent sharing and interpretation of programme evidence.
• Contribute to operational planning (Implementation Plans, winter prepositioning, supply chain forecasting) using data and trends to guide prioritisation.
• Support the process of developing and amendments to the plans, FLAs etc
• Coordinate with supply chain, budget, and programme units on commodity management and financial planning (grants, commitments)
• Analyze the routine program data on regular basis and provide a brief summary presentation to the AOs and unit in monthly coordination meeting.
• Conduct deep dive exercise on the HCD program performance and organize quarterly feedback sharing meeting with AOs.
• Coordinate with WFP AOs and units to ensure smooth implementation of activities including regular identification of operational risks and blockers and actively follow up to resolve problems and provide technical' support of the Implementation Plan (IP), Operational Plan (OP) in coordination with AOs and other concerned units/sections.

4. Capacity Strengthening & Reporting

• Build analytical and interpretation capacity of national staff and partners through structured mentoring and training.
• Develop guidance materials, analytical summaries, and reporting inputs for senior management, donors, and inter-agency forums.
• Support proposal development and donor reporting with high-quality, evidence-based inputs.
• Produce high-quality analytical reports and briefs that support advocacy and strengthened donor engagement on human capital development priorities.
• Promoting WFP’s technical visibility through publication and presentation of operational and analytical work in international journals and global humanitarian forums.
• Identify, develop, and manage partnerships with government ministries, academia, and private sector entities

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Advanced University Degree in Nutrition, Public Health, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Food Security, or related field with strong analytical focus,

or First University degree with additional two years of relevant work experience

Experience

• Minimum 7 years relevant experience in nutrition, school feeding and social protection programming, with demonstrated experience in programming, implementation, research, data analysis, or evidence generation.
• Experience in technical support, assessments, surveys, or monitoring of both nutrition specific and sensitive programmes.
• Experience working with UN agencies, research institutions, or international NGOs preferred.

Knowledge & Skills

• Strong proficiency in nutrition information systems and analysis of routine and survey data.
• Experience using analytical software (e.g., Excel Advanced, PowerBI, STATA, R, Python) is a strong asset.
• Understanding of WFP’s mandate, Country Strategic Planning process, intervention modalities, programme and project lifecycle tools, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation desirable
• Excellent skills in interpreting complex datasets and developing clear analytical products.
• Solid understanding of nutrition in emergencies, CMAM protocols, and nutrition sensitive programming.
• Ability to work as part of a team, participating in open dialogues and valuing diverse opinions of others, regardless of gender, culture, background or experience
• Strong communication, coordination, and report-writing skills.
• Ability to work independently and under pressure in complex environments.

DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE

• Experience leading or contributing to nutrition causal analyses, SMART surveys, KAP studies, or operational research.
• Experience integrating nutrition data with food security, protection, or social protection analyses.
• Experience strengthening the analytical capacity of national teams or partners.

Type of Contract: Consultancy (CST)
 level II

Duty Station: Kabul, Afghanistan (with frequent field travel)


Unit: Programme –Human Capital Development


Duration: 11 months (renewable)

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK

WFP Leadership Framework guides to the common standards of behavior that guide HOW we work together to accomplish our mission.

Click here to access WFP Leadership Framework

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

WFP is committed to supporting individuals with disabilities by providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process. If you require a reasonable accommodation, please contact:  global.inclusion@wfp.org

NO FEE DISCLAIMER

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.

REMINDERS 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 global.hrerecruitment@wfp.org in case you face any challenges with submitting your application

• Only shortlisted candidates will be notified

All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, 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.