Head of Research, Assessment and Monitoring (RAM) | CST | Manila, Philippines

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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.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF ASSIGNMENT

The World Food Programme’s engagement in the Philippines is constantly evolving. Initially it begun in the 1960s. WFP officially re-established its presence in 2006 to support the peace process in Mindanao, providing life-saving food assistance in emergencies and disasters, and to develop programs that seek to improve nutrition and the overall quality of life of the people we serve. Since 2018, WFP has been implementing a five-year Country Strategic Plan (CSP 2018-2023) to support the Government of the Philippines to address food insecurity, reduce malnutrition and build the resilience of vulnerable populations. In its strategic plan, WFP identified four strategic outcomes and five main activities:

• Strategic outcome 1: Crisis-affected people in the Philippines are able to meet their food and nutrition needs during and immediately after an emergency.
• Strategic outcome 2: Women, boys and girls in provinces prioritized by the Government have adequate and healthy diets to reduce malnutrition by 2022 in line with government targets.
• Strategic outcome 3: Vulnerable communities in Mindanao have improved food security and nutrition by 2022 in line with government targets.
• Strategic outcome 4: National and local government agencies have enhanced capabilities to reduce vulnerability to shocks by 2022.

Most recently, WFP has also supported the Government of the Philippines in response to Super Typhoon Odette (international name: Rai) which made landfall in the country on 16 December 2021. A total of 8 million people were affected in 11 out of the country’s 17 regions, leaving hundreds of thousands in need of food assistance, clean water, shelter and protection support. WFP provides support to the Government of the Philippines’ response cluster, focusing on food security and agriculture, logistics and emergency telecommunications. As part of the Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan, launched following the onslaught of Super Typhoon Odette, WFP has prioritized food and cash-based assistance programming and technical assistance for the Logistics and the Emergency Telecommunications clusters.

Currently, WFP also seeks to improve the measurement of its contributions to peace, protection, humanitarian access, and accountability to affected populations. A measurement approach called People-centered Risk Indicator Measurement and Engagement (PRIME) is being implemented through the collaboration of WFP Units and Country Offices. The ambition is to connect different bodies of evidence and to inform programming, via a new focus on people-centered programming. The approach was pilot tested in Bangladesh and Philippines in 2021. In the Philippines, the pilot test was conducted in 10 Municipalities in BARMM through focus group discussions and onsite visits. Another phase of the PRIME will be implemented in 10 Municipalities from 3 Provinces in BARMM from January to March 2022.

RESEARCH, ASSESSMENT AND MONITORING AND EVALUATION REQUIREMENTS

Given the diverse interventions under the CSP with a focus towards supporting the GoP with typhoon Rai response as well as technical support and capacity strengthening, there is a strong need for tracking the progress and generate quality evidence on the outcomes and impact of WFP assistance on the lives of beneficiaries as well as its contribution to achieving SDG indicators, particularly in the area of food security and nutrition (SDG 2) and partnership (SDG 17) and other related SDGs.

For this purpose, WFP Philippines is seeking to bolster its capacity on research, assessment and monitoring and evaluation with an experienced and qualified consultant to lead colleagues involved in Research, Assessment & Monitoring (RAM), which includes staff involved in VAM, M&E, CFM and functions as a wider programme support unit (COMET, SCOPE). The Head of RAM position will play a critical role in leading the coordination and implementation of all research, assessments, and monitoring and evaluation efforts across activities 1-5 and through the capacity building of WFP staff on food security, inclusive of nutrition, resilience, and emergency responses, through both traditional approaches and innovative technological solutions. This strengthening in RAM is critical to inform operational, evidence-based decision making and strategic reorientation and to report on results.

Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan launched by OCHA in January 2022 covers period of six months (January – June 2022). In the framework of the HNP WFP significantly scaled up the implementation of relief and early recovery activities. It is expected that during the initial three months, the staff member will be devoting up to 50% of time to Odette response. For the workstreams related to emergency operations, the incumbent will report to the Emergency Coordinator.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

Food Security and Nutrition Research
• Contribute to the development of systems and tools for the monitoring, assessment, and analysis of food/nutrition assistance needs in line with innovative methodologies and best practice;
• Lead/manage food security, nutrition, markets and resilience analysis and prepare 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;
• Keep up to date with and advise on food assistance developments and issues and the potential impact upon WFP activity to enable timely and appropriate programme evolution and intervention;
• Contribute to the development of programme activities, providing technical analysis, interpretation and recommendations to facilitate food assistance needs to be met effectively;
• Lead/manage the development of a research agenda for the Country Office in collaboration with programme units.

Monitoring and evaluation of programme activities
• Lead the development and manage implementation of M&E and CFM Strategies for the Country Office in line with corporate requirements and relevant to the country context;
• Ensure that the Country Office has updated M&E documents in response to changes/needs in the programme, including project log frames, M&E budgets, M&E and CFM SOPs, M&E plan matrices and reporting flow charts.
• Advise and support Head of Programme (HoP) and Activity Managers (AM) on evidence-based decision-making for programme design and implementation, notably through linking monitoring, review and evaluations findings to the TOC and make them accessible, developing innovative, user-friendly and informative products;
• Lead/manage the development and implementation of data collection arrangement including adequate human resources in field offices and potential outsourcing of third-party monitoring partner;
• Ensure that process and post distribution monitoring reports for Typhoon Odette response and CO activities are regularly shared with HoP and activity managers.
• In coordination with HoP, RBB and HQ focal points, support in building M&E processes for measuring capacity strengthening of government in the areas of social cohesion, nutrition, climate change, emergency preparedness and response, social protection, and resilience building and establish a tracking system to follow the progress and document on capacity building for the government;
• Work closely with Cotabato sub office team to support the overall project management of Population Risk Indicator Measurement and Engagement (PRIME) led by HQ’s PRO-P unit;
• Support HoP, AMs and gender focal point in streamlining gender and protection related indicators and gender analysis within each of the activity’s M&E framework, processes and tools.
• Support supply chain and programme teams during emergency preparedness, emergency needs assessments and operational planning

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES CONT.

Reviews, evaluations and planning new CSP
• In coordination with HoP, manage the CO’s ongoing Decentralised Evaluation, providing oversight and ensuring high profession standards in line with WFP Evaluation Policy and Decentralized Evaluation Quality Assurance System (DEQAS);
• Support WFP Management in addressing recommendations from monitoring, reviews and evaluations (i.e., Mid-Term Review, SP scoping exercise) to ensure that follow-up actions are taken as required;
• Contribute to and support the centralized CSP evaluation, joint UNDSCF/SEPF evaluations and donor-led evaluations in country;
• Lead the process of conducting any external or internal evaluation from inception to completion. This includes identifying an entity for an independent evaluation, facilitating secondary data review and primary data collection based on the scope of evaluation and methodologies agreed, disseminating the findings and facilitating their use in in future CO decision-making.
• Contribute to/support the preparation of the 2022 ACR in coordination with programme and IM teams.
• Contribute to donor and adhoc reporting and proposals through data analysis and visualization of findings
• In coordination with CD and HoP, lead the technical process for designing the new CSP.

External Cooperation
• Represent WFP and ensure WFP input into other UNSDCF related processes;
• Contribute to the development of UN Joint Work Plan for the Social Economic Peace Framework and ensure WFP inputs are provided on-time;
• Represent WFP at national/inter-agency meetings, including the SEPF M&E technical working group (i.e., UN M&E Group), to contribute to technical discussions, exchange knowledge and best practices, identify opportunities for potential collaboration and for strengthening national M&E capacity and develop strategic partnerships.

Capacity building
• Regularly assess CO/SO/Government partner M&E capacity and ensure adequate training is provided to build capacity by designing client-oriented training programs for different audiences.
• Build capacity of CO, partners and national government to conduct analysis on food security, nutrition, markets, resilience, gender, and related topics to effectively inform policies and programmes.

Team/staff management
• Provide strategic leadership, supervision, coaching and guidance to VAM & M&E focal points and individual team members;
• Develop annual workplan and budget for VAM and M&E, and follow through the implementation
• Manage the recruitment and supervise external evaluation consultants hired for the implementation of surveys, assessments and reviews
• Manage staff performance providing regular feedback and through the PACE process

4Ps CORE ORGANISATIONAL CAPABILITIES

Purpose

• Understand and communicate the Strategic Objectives: Understands WFP’s Strategic Objectives and the link to own work objectives.
• Be a force for positive change: Flexibly adapts individual contributions to accommodate changes in direction from supervisors and internal/external changes (such as evolving needs of beneficiaries, new requirements of partners).
•  Make the mission inspiring to our team: Recognizes and shares with team members the ways in which individual contributions relate to WFP’s mission.
•  Make our mission visible in everyday actions: Sets own goals in alignment with WFP’s overall operations, and is able to communicate this link to others.

People

• Look for ways to strengthen people's skills: Assesses own strengths and weaknesses to increase self-awareness, and includes these in conversations on own developmental needs.
•  Create an inclusive culture: Participates in open dialogue, and values the diverse opinion of others, regardless of background, culture, experience, or country assignment.
•  Be a coach & provide constructive feedback: Proactively seeks feedback and coaching to build confidence, and develop and improve individual skills.
•  Create an “I will”/”We will” spirit: Participates in accomplishing team activities and goals in the face of challenging circumstances.

Performance

• Encourage innovation & creative solutions: Shows willingness to explore and experiment with new ideas and approaches in own work.
•  Focus on getting results: Consistently delivers results within individual scope of work on time, on budget and without errors.
•  Make commitments and make good on commitments: Commits to upholding individual accountabilities and responsibilities in the face of ever-changing country or functional priorities.
•  Be Decisive: Makes rational decisions about individual activities when faced with uncertain circumstances, including in times of ambiguity regarding information or manager direction.

Partnership

• Connect and share across WFP units: Seeks to understand and adapt to internal or cross-unit teams’ priorities and preferred working styles.
•  Build strong external partnerships: Demonstrates ability to understand and appropriately respond to and/or escalate needs of external partners.
•  Be politically agile & adaptable: Portrays an informed and professional demeanor toward internal and external partners and stakeholders.
•  Be clear about the value WFP brings to partnerships: Provides operational support on analyses and assessments that quantifies and demonstrates WFP’s unique value as a partner.

FUNCTIONAL CAPABILITIES

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Advanced University degree in International Affairs, Sociology, Social Development, Development Economics or Performance Management or any other relevant field.

Experience: At least 5 years of relevant professional work experience in international development or humanitarian work; has led and/or managed monitoring and evaluation activities in a project or a country office context; is familiar with IT solutions in support of programme and project monitoring. Experience in managing diverse teams of technical staff.

Knowledge and Skills:
• Trained in evaluation management; specific training in corporate EvalPro will be considered an advantage;
• Working knowledge of the evidence value chain approach and application across diverse portfolio
• Practical knowledge on how WFP’s monitoring data is collected, compiled, analysed and presented for management decisions, programme adjustment and donor reporting;
• Has led surveys, assessments and monitoring surveys in countries, including the design, data collection and analysis;
• Experience in managing remote surveys, including preparation of data collection tools, managing third party monitoring partner, and data quality control;
• Knowledge of diverse humanitarian assistance and development practices;
• Analysis of both qualitative and quantitative data and effective visual presentation of results;
• Knowledge of VAM/M&E systems including preparation of data collection tools, development and maintenance of monitoring databases;
• Knowledge of facilitation techniques, preparation of training materials, delivery of training and capacity development of partners and external stakeholders.

Language: Excellent written and oral communications skills in English.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

Deadline for applications is on 11 April 2022, 11:59 PM. Qualified candidates are required to complete an online candidate profile in  UN WFP Careers Website (https://www.wfp.org/careers). Only applications received from this website are considered valid and will be processed and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. 

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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.