Country Strategic Plan Mid-term Review Consultant

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

Background

WFP Country Strategic Plans (CSPs) provide a coherent programmatic planning framework at the country-level. Guided by WFP’s Strategic Plan (2017-2021)[1], the CSP framework leverages WFP’s strengths and capacities, aiming to i) support countries in responding to emergencies and making progress towards zero hunger; ii) operationalize the WFP Strategic Plan at the country level; and iii) enhance strategic coherence, focus, operational effectiveness and partnerships. CSPs are formulated within the broader context of the country’s efforts to achieve zero hunger by 2030, in line with SDG 2. CSPs last for up to 5 years and it is mandatory that every CSP undergo a Mid-term Review exercise[2].

The Mid-term Review is a WFP country office-driven participatory exercise to assess the performance of a Country Strategic Plan (CSP). It has an objective of mainly internal learning for the areas of implementation and results and is intended to inform operational decision-making and adjustments to on-going programmes. A Mid-term Review reference group made up of Country Office management, programme and M&E staff, Regional Bureau and HQ focal points will be formed to guide the Mid-term Review process. The deliverables are a report with recommendations oriented to facilitate the achievement of expected results. Findings and recommendations will inform annual resource-based country operational planning exercises to ensure that timely mid-course improvements are made as necessary.

To facilitate the Mid-term Review process, WFP is opening a call for applications to join a consultancy roster, which will be used by WFP Country Offices and Regional Bureaus globally to select consultants with the right profile for their context. The consultant may be based fully in-country, or mixed remote and in-country for the duration of the contract.

Accountabilities/ Responsibilities

1. Manage the Mid-term Review process during planning, implementation and reporting phases while working in close collaboration with internal WFP staff and external partners
2. Provide feedback to and/or adjust the Mid-term Review TORs and review questions
3. Design Mid-term Review implementation plan in consultation with review manager and WFP staff, including coordination with programme and monitoring teams to prepare field site visits
4. Consult regularly and provide periodic and constructive technical feedback to the Mid-term Review reference group
5. Assess data/information quality, accuracy and consistency to build credible evidence
6. Gather information and conduct qualitative/quantitative data analysis (desk review, Key Informant Interviews, Focus Group Discussions)
7. Facilitate workshop with key stakeholders (organizing workshop activities, developing questions, mapping findings and discussions), as required
8. Hold debriefing meeting with management and key stakeholders at the end of the mission with initial findings
9. Produce, review and finalize a Mid-term Review Report with key findings and recommendations

Education

Mid-level: Master’s degree in relevant field with minimum 3 years of relevant work experience, or bachelor’s degree in relevant field with minimum 5 years of relevant work experience.

Senior level: Master’s degree in relevant field with minimum 7 years of relevant work experience. Candidate will have sound technical expertise and may be expected to lead a small team.

(Disciplines: M&E, Statistics, Nutrition, Economics, Agriculture, International Affairs, Social Sciences, Development Studies, Project Management

Experience

Previous experience working with WFP/other UN agencies/implementing partners, conducting reviews, evaluations or monitoring exercises is preferred; Previous experience working with government is an asset;

To be considered for inclusion in the roster, applicants would need to have at least 3 years of experience in one or more of the following fields of work:

1. Monitoring & Evaluation
2. Policy and Programme Planning and Development
3. Food Security and Market Analysis /Vulnerability Analysis and Mapping (VAM)
4. Humanitarian Assistance in Emergencies

Applicants with additional experience in one or more of the following technical areas are preferred:

1. School Feeding
2. Nutrition
3. Food Systems
4. Adaptation and Resilience to Climate and other shocks
5. Smallholder Agricultural Market Support (SAMS)
6. Livelihoods Support and Asset Development
7. Social Protection / Safety Net programming
8. Country Capacity Strengthening (CCS)/South-South and Triangular Cooperation
9. Protection and Accountability to Affected Populations

Competencies

1. Familiarity with project management and government system

• Strong skills in project management including working knowledge of objectives-oriented project planning, or results-based management
• Ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor workplan in relation to other stakeholders and actors during the review
• Familiarity with humanitarian/development planning and implementation systems and institutional roles
• Understanding of government functioning and systems

2. Strong knowledge in M&E and social research

• Knowledge of monitoring and performance management concepts and principles
• Strong skills in qualitative and quantitative methodology and analysis
• Ability to conduct independent research and analysis, identify issues, analyse options and recommend solutions.
• Strong reporting and writing abilities

3. Good interpersonal and communication skills

• Demonstrated ability to speak, listen to, and write English, and other required languages if necessary, in a clear and concise manner
• Demonstrated advanced skills in analysis, influencing and management of stakeholder relationships
• Ability to appraise situations and challenges and form productive relationships with staff and stakeholders and to engage diverse internal and external stakeholders proactively

4. Adaptable to different context

• Ability to work systematically, accurately and under pressure.

5. Integrity and ethnicity

• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability

Language

Fluency (level C) in English language is required. Fluency in another UN language is preferable. 

Selection process

Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis. Qualified candidates will be short-listed and selected candidates will be contacted and interviewed thereafter by the respective WFP country offices or regional bureaus. Contracts are expected to last between 2 to 4 months, though this may vary depending on the needs of the country office.