Consultant - (Agro-) Economic Risk Analyst

(Agro-) Economic Risk Analyst Consultant

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is the world's largest humanitarian agency, fighting hunger worldwide. We are seeking to fill the position of Economic Risk Analyst for the Emergency Preparedness and Support Response Division, based at our Headquarters in Rome, Italy. The selected candidate will be offered an international consultancy contract for a period of 6 months, renewable pending performance and funding.

The Emergency Preparedness and Support Division (OSE) is responsible for enhancing WFP’s preparedness and response capacity in emergencies, including early warning, preparedness planning, crisis support and information management.  The requirement for WFP to operate in complex emergencies is expected to remain if not increase beyond current levels, posing even higher demands on WFP’s preparedness and response capabilities.

Analysis and early warning (AEW) for natural, economic and political risks is an important part of preparedness, and building WFP’s early warning capacity is a strategic priority for the Division. To fulfil these responsibilities the AEW collaborates inter alia with OSE units, WFP’s Vulnerability Assessment and Mapping (VAM) and WFP’s Field Security Analytical Divisions, other humanitarian agencies, and partners in academic and research institutions. The Division provides normative guidance, technical support and capacity building to field offices and regional bureaux, as well as inter-agency coordination.

The Economic Risk Analyst will report to the Senior Conflict Analyst in the Analysis and Early Warning Unit (AEW) and be responsible for the following key duties:

• Research, track and analyse trends in humanitarian impact deriving from economic risks as well as economic impacts of conflict and natural hazard risks in countries of interest to WFP;

• Conduct monthly probability-of-impact assessments on economic risks, in collaboration with other team members, and relevant offices and units in OSE and WFP more broadly;

• Provide anticipatory warnings and specialized briefs for situations that could affect WFP’s operations to support preparedness planning;

• In collaboration with other divisions and WFP Regional Bureaux (RBs), contribute to the production of AEW reports such as, but not restricted to, the monthly Early Warning Watch List, the bi-annual Corporate Alert System, and the IASC Early Warning Early Action and Readiness (EWEAR) report and analytical briefs for WFP Emergency Director and IASC Emergency Director’s Group (EDG);

• Develop analytical methods and guidelines related to economic risk assessment including product TORs, manuals, trainings and guidelines on risk indicators, triggers and thresholds for the Emergency Preparedness and Response Package (EPRP);

• Support COs and RBs in risk identification and indicator selection as a part of the EPRP/Annual Performance Planning process;

• Coordinate with other WFP teams and non-WFP contacts to promote the use of AEW tools and services and assist in the harmonization of risk assessment methodologies within WFP and within the IASC Early Warning community;

• Streamline communication and partnerships with WFP RBs and Country Offices (COs) to smooth the process of risk identification, and decentralize risk assessment;

• Perform other related duties as required.

Qualifications & Experience Required

Education:

• Advanced University degree in Agro-economics or Economics or other relevant fields.

Experience:

• At least 2 to 3 years minimum of professional experience in risk assessment, early warning or a relevant field;

• Experience or study related to economic risk assessment, conflict monitoring or early warning is an advantage.

Technical Skills & Knowledge:

• Knowledge of food security assessments methods and systems is an advantage;

• Strong ability with MS Word and Excel.

Competencies:

• Strong writing skills with a demonstrated ability to research and draft clear, concise economic analysis briefs;

• High level of comfort thinking and describing uncertainty in terms of probabilities;

• Ability to work both with minimal supervision and as part of a team;

• Ability to establish effective working relations with persons of different national and cultural backgrounds.

Language:

• Fluency in oral and written English;

• Intermediate knowledge of French, Spanish or Arabic is an advantage.

Terms and Conditions

WFP offers a competitive compensation package which will be determined by the contract type and selected candidate’s qualifications and experience.

Please visit the following websites for detailed information on working with WFP.

http://www.wfp.org Click on: “Our work” and “Countries” to learn more about WFP’s operations.

http://www.unstaffmobility.org Learn more about countries where the UN operates.

VA No. 82289.

Deadline :5 June 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.