Programme Policy Officer (Disaster Risk Modeling Analyst) - SSA8

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).

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

DATA COLLECTION, PROCESSING AND ANALYSIS:

• Coordinate extensive field data collection across various regions for ground truth verification of the models’ predictions. Coordinate with regional offices to streamline data gathering efforts.

• Analyzing historical data, geological surveys, meteorological data, and other relevant information to understand the frequency, intensity, and distribution of different hazards.

• Combine, overlay and display mathematical models generated by the system and process the risk quantifications,

• Analyzes data from vulnerability of communities, infrastructure, and ecosystems to various hazards for understanding of their susceptibility to damage and disruption

DATA ANALYSIS, INTEGRATION AND MANAGEMENT:

• Ensure seamless integration of data from stakeholder APIs. Regularly assess and troubleshoot data flow processes.

• Analyzes hazard risk mapping and quantifying the exposure of assets, such as buildings, roads, and critical facilities, to different types of hazards.

MODEL CALIBRATION, THRESHOLDS AND EXPOSURE ANALYSES:

• Conduct calibrations of disaster prediction models and provide risk probabilities and quantifications, and generate early warning messages,

• Enhance the system calibration and ensure risk warning messages are accurate

• Analyze model thresholds and outputs and develop suggestions for calibration parameters,

• Organize calibration review meeting with appropriate modelling experts to ensure the improvement of the models’ predictive accuracy.

DASHBOARD DEVELOPMENT:

• Design and implement informative dashboards for strategic decision-making. Continuously update dashboard features to reflect real-time data and insights.

• Knowledge and skills aligned with combining hazard, vulnerability, and exposure information to estimate the potential impact of disasters including potential casualties, economic losses, and social disruption,

• Update the dashboard information and explain system functionalities

MODEL ENHANCEMENT:

• Innovate and apply improvements to existing disaster models.

• Stay abreast of technological advancements and integrate best practices into model development processes.

• Collaborate and coordinate various modeling experts to improve or upgrade existing models.

• Investigates and assesses potential risk factors arising through different data sets and data analysis.

DISSEMINATION AND COMMUNICATION OF WARNING MESSAGES:

• Generate system messages and analyze the risk probabilities

• Oversee the Early warning generation and dissemination

• Model risk based on different datasets generated by the system

• Design and update the structure through which warning messages can be disseminated and communicated

• Collect system information feedback from the emergency responders and selected local community levels and hazard risk monitoring

• Coach, mentor and provide ToT trainings for EWS functionalities to the department staff and other key stakeholders

• Maintain up to date risk exposure information and processing risk control and propose mitigation measures to the management team

• Performs other related duties as assigned or requested

REQUIRED ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERTISE

• A master’s degree in a relevant field in mathematical modeling, engineering physics, natural sciences including Geology and meteorology

• 3yrs of extensive GIS skills and demonstrated work experience in data/numerical modeling

• Experience in modeling for disaster risk management, meteorology, or environmental sciences will be highly valued

REQUIRED SKILLS EXPERIENCE

• Advanced data analysis skills with the ability to interpret complex datasets and extract actionable insights.

• Experience with predictive models is an added advantage.

• Experience with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for spatial data analysis and hazard risk mapping

• Experience with geospatial technology including but not limited to ArcGIS, raster analysis or holding a GIS specialized Certification is highly advantageous

• Experience with ArcGIS products is of advantage,

• Solid Python coding skills for model development, data analysis, and automation of processes.

• Model thresholds, system analysis and data automation 

COMPETENCIES & ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Leadership and management skills;

• Planning and organizational skills;

• Communication skills;

• Strong IT skills, particularly in Financial software(SMART IFMIS);

• Knowledge of human resources concepts, practices, policies, and procedures;

• Knowledge of organizational structure, workflow, and operating procedures;

• Knowledge in Monitoring & System Evaluation;

• Time management Skills;

• Interviewing Skills;

• Judgment & Decision making skills;

• Complex Problem solving;

• Fluent in English, Kinyarwanda, and/ or French; knowledge of all is an advantage

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

• All applications must be submitted exclusively through our online recruiting system. We do not consider CVs or applications sent by email, LinkedIn, or any other channel.

• We strongly recommend that your Workday profile is accurate and complete, and that all sections are filled in, including your employment history, academic qualifications, language skills, and UN grade (if applicable). Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application.

• If you experience technical issues while submitting your application, you may contact us at global.hrerecruitment@wfp.org. Please note that this email is only for technical issues with an application - unsolicited applications or documents sent to this inbox will not receive a reply.

• At the application stage, the only required documents are your CV and Cover Letter. Additional documents (passport, certificates, recommendation letters, etc.) may be requested later in the process.

• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the recruitment process.

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.