Joint Assessment Officer

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Job Title: Joint Assessment Officer

Type of Contract: Consultancy

Division: Joint UNHCR and WFP Programme Excellence and Targeting Hub

Duty Station (City, Country): Home-based (+/- 3 CET) with significant travel

Duration: 6 months

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

In line with global commitments, agreements, strategies and principles on increased interagency collaboration, UNHCR and WFP have launched the Joint Programme Excellence and Targeting Hub in April 2020. The established framework for collaboration provides a strong basis for the two agencies to provide strategic and operational support at country-level, with the objective of improving outcomes for refugees and other forcibly displaced people. This will be achieved through a new way of working, ensuring effective use of limited resources by targeting the right people with the right assistance, including support towards longer-term self-reliance.
Through a joint team of roving experts, the hub will provide support to country offices throughout the programme cycle: i) Joint situation and context analysis; ii) Integrated programme design, iii) Targeting strategy, iv) Implementation, and v) Monitoring, learning and feedback. Experts will be recruited and ready to provide remote and/or in-country support, building on existing structures and capacities.
The Joint Programme Excellence and Targeting Hub is currently supporting thirteen countries (Niger, Rwanda, Cameroon, Jordan, Mauritania, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Mozambique, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Djibouti and Zambia) covering selected phases of the programme cycle. The Hub will consider providing support to additional countries capacity allowing. The Hub will be led by a Joint Coordinator, reporting to the project leads governed by the Strategic Advisory Group (StAG), consisting of senior UNHCR and WFP staff from relevant units.
To support the activities under the Joint Programme Excellence and Targeting Hub, UNHCR and WFP is jointly recruiting a Joint Assessment Officer.
Working arrangements for this position will be remote in the country of residence of the candidate with frequent travel.

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under the supervision of the Senior Targeting Advisor and in close collaboration with other members of the Hub and technical counterparts in UNHCR and WFP, the Joint Assessment Officer will be responsible for the availability of high-quality analysis and information on needs and vulnerabilities of affected populations, that will inform programme design and targeting decisions. S/he will be responsible for the following activities:

• Conduct desk reviews and re-analyze existing country data to identify availability and quality of existing data in support of the Hub’s work.
• Advise/support the conceptualization and design of joint assessments to collect primary quantitative and qualitative data, lead training of enumerators, and establish mechanisms for data collection monitoring and quality control in line with existing UNHCR and WFP assessment guidance1 to assess food security and other essential needs.
• Advise/support the design of joint monitoring exercises to collect data required for identification and monitoring of refugee vulnerabilities and capacities to inform joint targeting methodology and implementation and joint livelihoods & self-reliance activities, and strengthen evidence-based decision-making and programming
• Conduct statistical analysis of assessment data, visualize results and support the preparation of presentations, bulletins and reports to inform joint programme design
• Work closely with Targeting Advisor to ensure that data required for proper identification of targeting criteria are collected, with consideration to availability and coverage of ProGres data (the refugee registration database), and based on accurate profiling of most vulnerable people/households in line with the Joint Targeting Guidance
• Work closely with Targeting Advisor to conduct statistical analysis on vulnerability profiling and targeting
• Work closely with Targeting Advisor and Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) Officer to advise country office the best available approach of appeal analysis to inform targeting methodology and implementation
• Ensure the collation, storage, structuring and collection (where necessary) and analysis of relevant quantitative and qualitative data in support of joint assessment exercises to inform joint programme design and targeting
• Work closely with the Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) Officer during the design of assessments tools to ensure that protection-related issues are covered, and that People of Concern are consulted and involved through the assessment and targeting process (e.g. during pre-assessment community consultation, validation of targeting criteria, etc. )
• Work closely with the Livelihoods and Economic Inclusion Officer and WFP and UNHCR experts to enable assessment conceptualization and data analysis to align with and inform country-level long term self-reliance interventions
• Work closely with the Senior Programme Officer during the design of assessment tools to ensure that a proper spectrum (from humanitarian to development) of programme related issues are covered.
• Lead and support data standardization processes, data archiving and support sharing of assessment data in coordination with the Data System/Interoperability Officer
• Facilitate global, regional or country-level assessment and monitoring related capacity strengthening workshops/learning events
• Support the documentation and packaging of best practices and lessons learned related to assessments that facilitate improved in-country capacity and hub practices and reporting
• Any other tasks as agreed with the Senior Targeting Advisor.

DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT:

• Robust joint or coordinated analysis and/or assessments activities have been conducted in countries receiving end-to-end support and countries in demand of modular support on joint assessments
• Data is analyzed and shared in a timely and easy-to-use manner that informs programme design and targeting decisions
• In-country capacity of supported countries is strengthened
• Regional and global capacity on joint analysis and assessments is improved as a result of documentation of lessons learned and best practices, that are shared in joint learning events and other fora

Advanced University degree in economics, social science, statistics or related field.

Experience:

At least 5 years’ experience in conducting food security and vulnerability assessments and analysis.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Strong experience in quantitative and qualitative research methods and data analysis
• Proven experience in applying statistical packages (SPSS required, STATA and R an advantage). GIS skills of advantage (ArcGIS and/or QGIS)
• Understanding of vulnerability assessment methodologies and tools, experience in food security and essential needs analysis highly desirable
• Demonstrated ability to write reports, present assessment findings and to communicate effectively
• Experience working in dynamic and innovative environments
• Demonstrated ability to work independently but interacting with a large team
• Willingness to travel extensively to support Hub projects in-country Competencies: Cognitive Capacity, Teamwork, Action Management, Innovation, Partnering, Client Orientation

Languages:

Strong written and oral English skills (proficiency/level C), working knowledge in French preferred.

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.

Deadline for applications: 16 February 2023

Ref.: VA No. 408016

WFP has a zero-tolerance approach to conduct such as fraud, sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to WFP’s standards of conduct and will therefore undergo rigorous background verification internally or through third parties. Selected candidates will also be required to provide additional information as part of the verification exercise. Misrepresentation of information provided during the recruitment process may lead to disqualification or termination of employment

WFP will not request payment at any stage of the recruitment process including at the offer stage. Any requests for payment should be refused and reported to local law enforcement authorities for appropriate action.