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Job Title: Targeting Data Analyst

Type of Contract: Consultancy

Division: Needs Assessment & Targeting Unit (RAM-N)

Duty Station (City, Country): HQ-Rome

Duration: 6 months with possible extension

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

Assisting 160 million people in more than 80 countries in 2022, the World Food Programme (WFP) is the leading humanitarian organization saving lives and changing lives, delivering food assistance in emergencies, working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience, and partnering with governments to strengthen social protection systems. To effectively deliver on its mandate WFP must ensure that it reaches the right people and that it manages its relationship with those individuals and their communities in a responsible, accountable, and effective manner.

As a result of conflict, climate change and the impact of COVID-19, the world is facing a hunger crisis. The number of people facing acute hunger is rapidly increasing across continents, and while WFP thanks to increasing donor contributions has been able to significantly scale up its response in recent years, the gap between needs and resources available to address those needs is growing. This stresses further the importance of robust targeting and prioritization processes, ensuring that the most destitute and vulnerable people are assisted timely.

With more pressure on country offices to plan and implement sophisticated targeting and prioritization decisions, there is a rapidly growing demand for support from Regional Bureaux (RBx) and Headquarters (HQ). In response, a joint project between the RAM and Programme & Policy Development divisions in HQ and WFP’s six RBx was initiated in 2020. The Targeting Strengthening Initiative recognizes the continuous and cross-functional nature of targeting and is focused on enhancing capacities and strengthening the evidence-base to inform policy decisions, which in turn are reflected in better and more comprehensive guidance, tools and learning materials for colleagues in the field.

In addition to internal efforts to strengthen targeting, the Joint UNHCR and WFP Programme Excellence and Targeting Hub was established in 2020 and is co-managed by RAM and Programme on the WFP side. ‘The Hub‘ aims to operationalize joint commitments building on the 2011 Memorandum of Understanding, including the Joint Principles on Targeting. Thematic experts provide country-level support to priority operations across the programme cycle, including needs assessments and targeting, and is an important operational partner of WFP and the Targeting Strengthening Initiative.

RAM-N is now looking for a talented Targeting Data Analyst with experience in quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis to support country office-, RB- and HQ colleagues in the various phases of the targeting and prioritization processes.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under the supervision and guidance of the Senior Targeting Analyst, the Targeting Data Analyst will provide timely, rigorous and well-presented analyses throughout the phases of targeting and prioritization exercise at country office-, RB-, and HQ-level, enabling complex decision-making. She/he will be responsible for the following activities:

• Gather and review primary and secondary quantitative and qualitative data sources to determine their quality and comprehensiveness, and thus to the extent the information is fit-for-purpose to inform targeting and prioritization decisions;
• In close collaboration with country- and regional offices, conduct and present advanced statistical analysis including bi-variate and multivariate analysis to identify potential eligibility criteria for beneficiary selection, as well as priority information gaps informing recommendations on primary data collection and analysis;
• Utilize the generated evidence to design targeting and prioritization approaches, considering the operational requirements and contextual aspects.
• Conduct precision testing and validation for the proposed targeting and prioritization criteria.
• Support tool design, collection and analysis of qualitative data enabling a people-centred approach whereby the lived realities of affected populations and their communities are reflected in targeting and prioritization decisions;
• Design targeting and prioritization implementation processes;
• Contribute to the implementation and systematic documentation of coherent and rigorous targeting and prioritization processes globally, aligned with existing and informing new global standards for targeting in WFP;
• Support the production of guidance, training and learning materials to promote global standards in terms of quantitative and qualitative data quality, standardization, analysis and presentation;
• Collaborate with Needs Assessments and Field Monitoring colleagues to establish and promote standards for the systematic gathering and analysis of targeting-related information throughout the programme cycle; and
• Any other assignments as agree with the supervisor.

DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT:

• Robust analyses that enable evidence-based programming and targeting decisions have been produced and shared with Hub members and selected country offices in a timely manner and with high quality
• Potential targeting decisions are quantitively validated prior to implementation
• In-country capacity for quantitative and qualitative data analysis in supported countries is enhanced

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

Experience:

Minimum of six years of experience in the humanitarian sector, with a preference for field-based experience

Knowledge and Skills:

• Advanced quantitative and qualitative research methods and analytical skills
• Experience with multi-sectoral vulnerability analysis
• Knowledge & Skills:
• Advanced knowledge of statistical packages (eg: SPSS, STATA and R)
• Demonstrated ability to write analytical reports and present findings
• Experience working in dynamic and innovative environments
• Willingness to travel extensively to support in-country exercises
• Competencies: Cognitive Capacity, Teamwork, Action Management, Innovation, Partnering, Client Orientation

Languages:

Fluency in English is required, working knowledge of French is desired

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: 22 July 2023

Ref.: VA No. 828273

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.