VAM Officer NOB

.

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

The United Nations World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide.  The mission of WFP is to help the world achieve Zero Hunger in our lifetimes.  Every day, WFP works worldwide to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry and that the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly women and children, can access the nutritious food they need.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

These roles are found in Headquarters (HQ), Regional Bureaux (RBs) or Country Offices (COs), and report to a more senior VAM or Programme Policy Officer. Job holders operate independently and are involved in operational activities and related analytical work.

JOB PURPOSE

Within delegated authority, the National VAM Officer - Programme Unit – will be responsible for providing first line technical support to the Regional Bureau and the country offices throughout the Latin America and Caribbean region to the implementation of food security assessments,  food and nutrition security monitoring, and integrated context analysis. The VAM officer will also provide support to evidence generation exercises and capacity strengthening efforts related to food security analysis.

The VAM officer will contribute to build the evidence base that supports food security and nutrition policies and programmes (e.g. needs assessment and situation analyses,

programme design, targeting, cost effectiveness, and operational efficiency).

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

• Strengthen WFP knowledge base and the understanding of food security and vulnerability issues at regional and country level contributing to a better preparedness and response capacity to protect the lives and livelihoods of vulnerable communities that are at risk.
• Support the regional VAM unit to provide the WFP regional office with food security and vulnerability information management capacity by maintaining and updating databases of socioeconomic data.
• Contribute to the development of VAM projects and activities, plans and processes, ensuring alignment with wider WFP policies and guidance.
• Support the development of systems and tools for the monitoring and assessment of food assistance needs in line with innovative methodologies and best practice.
• 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.
• Provide assistance on the coordination of qualitative and quantitative data gathering through statistically sound systems, ensuring that rigorous quality standards are maintained.
• Support the capacity building of WFP staff, partners and national government to conduct vulnerability analysis to effectively inform preparedness and response activities.
• Provide support to relevant partners that are focusing on food security and nutrition issues to enable sharing of experience, lessons learned and best practice.
• Guide and supervise more junior staff, acting as a point of referral and supporting them with analysis and queries.
• Being ready for deployment in emergency response capacity to implement emergency food security assessments
• Perform other related duties as required.

Critical Success Factors:

• Ability to compile, maintain and analyze data, prepare reports and draw initial conclusions and recommendations;
• Ability to work in a team, and maintain effective work relationships with counterparts;
• Effective and timely interaction with colleagues and concerned parties internally and externally;
• Flexibility in accepting work assignments outside normal desk description;
• Ability to deal patiently and tactfully with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• Advanced university degree in Sociology, Economics, Statistics, Agriculture, Geography, Nutrition, Rural Development or similar relevant discipline.

  Experience:

• At least three years of postgraduate progressively responsible professional experience in food and nutrition security, vulnerability analysis or closely related area.

  Knowledge and skills:

• Familiarity with quantitative and qualitative survey techniques and design.
• Advanced computer skills, including at least intermediate skills in windows based word processing, spreadsheet, database and statistical analysis software.
• 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.
• Familiar with designing and implementing market analysis in relation to food security.
• Advanced knowledge of database management and design.
• Experience in the design and implementation of food assistance programmes, including different modalities.

       Language:

• Fluency in both oral and written communication in Spanish and English.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

* Please note that applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

* Only short-listed qualified candidates will receive an acknowledgement.

* National positions are subject to local recruitment.  These posts shall be filled, as far as possible, by persons recruited from within commuting distance of the duty station or within the country.

* Applicants should hold Panamanian citizenship.

* Selected candidate will be employed on Fixed-Term contract with a probationary period of one year.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

The dealine to apply is 31 May 2018

.

Female applicants and qualified applicants from developing countries are especially encouraged to apply

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.