Research Analyst

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: 28 December 2024-23:59-GMT+01:00 Central European Time (Rome)

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ABOUT WFP

The World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity, for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

At WFP, people are at the heart of everything we do and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse, committed, skilled, and high performing teams, selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living WFP's values (Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves.

To learn more about WFP, visit our website: https://www.wfp.org

JOB TITLE: Research Analyst Consultant

TYPE OF CONTRACT: Regular Consultant

UNIT/DIVISION: Office of Evaluation (OEV)

DUTY STATION (City, Country): Rome

DURATION: 11 Months (February 2025 – January 2026)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

The World Food Programme (WFP) evaluation function aims to contribute to achieving zero hunger by assessing WFP activities, generating a strong evidence base of the organization’s successes and lessons that can be incorporated into future policies and programmes. Evidence is identified as one of six enablers in the WFP Strategic Plan (2022–2025) and was foremost among current WFP policies to inform the direction of the updated WFP Evaluation Policy 2022, approved by the Executive Board in March 2022.

WFP’s Office of Evaluation (OEV) commissions and manages centralized evaluations covering corporate strategies and policies; global programmes; strategic issues and themes; corporate emergencies; and Country Strategic Plans (CSPs). The WFP evaluation function is based on the UNEG evaluation principles of independence, credibility and utility. Application of these principles ensures evaluation quality, enhancing accountability and learning throughout WFP to improve performance and results.

According to the evaluation function workplan for 2025-2027 and to WFP’s evaluation coverage norms, WFP’s OEV workload is expected to vary over time with a high number of ongoing as well as planned new centralized evaluations to be commissioned between the first half of 2025 and first half of 2026. Evaluation Managers are appointed at the outset of each evaluation process. In addition, for each individual evaluation, a Research Analyst (RA) is required to support in the preparation, inception, field mission, data analysis and reporting, and dissemination phases of the evaluations.

WFP’s OEV is currently looking for at least one RA Consultant to support research and data analysis of ongoing and planned centralized evaluations. The RA Consultant(s) to be recruited under the present terms of reference is expected to contribute in the areas of data management, knowledge management, support to quality assurance of evaluation deliverables, and support in the management of the evaluation. The overall supervision of the RA will be provided by the Head of Analytics and Research Unit (ARU). In addition, he/she will report to the evaluation officers managing the evaluations that the RA will be assigned to support.

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Centralized evaluations: Research and data analysis (approx 85%)

Provision of research and analysis support to centralized evaluations will entail:

1. Data analysis and management: This includes an assessment of relevant datasets to be used for the evaluation in question; proactive, effective and efficient data collection (qualitative and quantitative) from relevant sources, including WFP corporate data systems; systematic management of data sources; assessment of data reliability and validity; data analysis and visualization.
2. Knowledge management: This includes set up of the evaluation library and populating it in a timely and accessible manner with all relevant documents for the independent evaluation team; maintenance of evaluation related documents in Teams channels (accessible internally and externally) and timely update of WFP Evaluation Management Information System.
3. Support to evaluation’s deliverables: This includes contribution to the Concept Note and/or TOR preparation, building of comments matrices, commenting on draft inception and evaluation reports, supporting the compilation of summary evaluation reports, assessment of the quality and use of data coming from WFP corporate systems presented in draft reports, supporting as relevant the preparation of evaluation briefs, PPTs, videos and/or seminars.
4. Support to management of evaluation process: This includes tracking of the evaluation process, identification of and liaison with HQ, Regional Bureau, and Country Office stakeholders, administrative and logistical support (meetings arrangements, evaluation briefings, workshop arrangements, etc.).

1. Data analytics champion (approx 5%)

OEV believes in the continuous improvement of its research and analytics systems to support the efficient and effective delivery of its evaluation plan. Analysts are expected to contribute their knowledge in terms of internal and external data sources and on their understanding of evaluation processes and content for the development of guidelines and tools to allow for high quality data analytics for evaluation. RAs are expected to act as champions of, and build their knowledge and expertise in, at least one specific data topic (e.g. food security, beneficiaries, resilience, budgeting, etc).

1. Contribute to effective functioning of OEV (approx 5%)

The RA will be expected to contribute to OEV’s effective team and corporate performance, through:

• Participation in planning and coordination meetings/retreats; and learning events; Support provision to evaluation events; Support for data processing, data quality assurance and data visualization for any possible need beyond the aforementioned support to assigned evaluations; Support OEV for the undertaking of any other activity relevant for the development or continuation of the evaluation function.

1. AOB (approx 5%)

Support OEV for the undertaking of any other activity relevant for the development or continuation of the evaluation function.

Most activities will be carried out in Rome, Italy. However, the consultant may be required to travel to other WFP sites on an-needed basis as part of specific evaluation missions.

DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT:

For accountability 1 and 2:

• All tasks assigned, completed on time and to professional standards as per the detailed TOR for support to centralized evaluations.
• Contributions to the ARU provided in a timely and professional manner as requested by the head of the ARU over the contract duration.

For accountability 3: to be defined. Overall, the key results will contribute to the overall effectiveness and successful development of WFP’s evaluation function.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Education: University degree in academic discipline(s) relevant to evaluation in WFP;

Experience:

• At least three years of relevant professional working experience preferably related to humanitarian or development work;
• At least one year of professional experience in evaluation, research, data analysis;
• Experience using a variety of quantitative and qualitative analytical tools and methods.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Fully computer-literate with excellent skills in Word, Excel, Power Point and database management;
• Excellent qualitative and quantitative analytical skills, including statistical/econometric abilities;
• Eye for details and accuracy;
• Excellent communication skills, written, verbal and visual;
• Knowledge of WFP is an advantage.

Functional competencies:

• Demonstrated ability to analyse, manage, quality assure, interpret and present data;
• Ability to work with various evaluation managers at the same time and manage work planning and competing deadlines;
• Ability to engage professionally with evaluation stakeholders and evaluation teams;
• Demonstrated flexibility and ability to adapt to changing context;
• Ability to take initiative and be proactive in managing own work, as well as raise issues with functional and line managers when needed;
• Commitment to confidentiality and sound understanding of key ethical issues associated with evaluation.

Languages: Fluency in English and intermediate level of French and/or Spanish are required.

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK:

WFP Leadership Framework guides to the common standards of behavior that guide HOW we work together to accomplish our mission.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION:

WFP is dedicated to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our recruitment process is inclusively crafted to welcome candidates of all backgrounds, celebrating diversity and ensuring a respectful environment for all. We aim for an accessible and fair recruitment journey. Should you need any reasonable accommodations or have accessibility concerns, please reach out to us confidentially at global.inclusion@wfp.org. Our DEI team is here to ensure your full participation in our recruitment process.

NO FEE DISCLAIMER:

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.

REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION:

• We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete, and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, language skills and UN Grade (if applicable).
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application.
• Please make sure you upload your professional CV in the English language.
• Kindly note the only documents you will need to submit at this time are your CV and Cover Letter.
• Additional documents such as passport, recommendation letters, academic certificates, etc. may potentially be requested at a future time.

Please contact us at global.hrerecruitment@wfp.org in case you face any challenges with submitting your application.

Only shortlisted candidates will be notified.