Job opportunity: Consultant - Food Security Analysis Unit

Closing Date: Friday, 11 January 2013

Location: WFP Regional Bureau for West Africa based in Dakar, Senegal with travel to sub-region (25-50%)

Duration: 6 months, starting 1 January 2013

Supervision received: The Consultant for the Food Security Analysis unit reports to the Regional Food Security adviser

Accountabilities: Within delegated authority, the Consultant for the Food Security Analysis Unit will be responsible for the following duties:

General

• strengthen WFP knowledge base and understanding of food security and vulnerability issues in the West Africa region contributing to a better preparedness and response capacity to protect the lives and livelihoods of vulnerable communities
• ensure the use of such knowledge to inform WFP decision making and contribute to country level work of WFP, government counterparts, civil society organizations, bilateral donors and UN agencies
• contribute to the establishment and maintenance of a food security and vulnerability monitoring system to detect changes in the food security and vulnerability situation of populations at risk
• lead and/or participate in food security and vulnerability assessments and monitoring as well as other joint assessments
• participate in the design and implementation of WFP programmes with particular emphasis on situation and response analysis, defining the role of food assistance and providing recommendations on targeting of such assistance along geographic, sectoral or socioeconomic lines;

Specific

• participate and support the broader regional level discussions and methodology/strategy development for food security analysis such as the Cadre Harmonisé or the Integrated Phase Classification
• contribute in the development of collaboration with the Centre Inter-Etats de Lutte contre la Secheresse au Sahel, FEWS NET, FAO, Save the Children, Oxfam, UNICEF and other main food security and nutrition analysis actors
• contribute to the elaboration of the monthly joint FAO-WFP food security bulletin
• support the design, implementation, analysis and reporting of ongoing and planned food security surveys in the region as needed
• provide inputs to the Food Security long term strategy for the region, including fundraising and communication for food security analysis
• perform other tasks as requested

Expected Results:
With high degree of independence, the consultant will:
- provide well prepared, analytical work that supports the preparation of programmatic documents in a manner which reflects strategic regional/country strategies and executive decisions
- develop creative approaches to problem resolution and ensures timely delivery of assigned outputs
- develop and maintains partnerships with colleagues internally and with other organizations in the area of food security analysis in order to ensure smooth collaboration
- provide sound analytical inputs and contributes to improving the analysis of food security in the region.

Critical Success Factors:
- ability to compile, maintain and analyze data, prepare reports and draw initial conclusions and recommendations
- ability to work in a team, and maintain effective work relationships with counterparts
- effective and timely interaction with colleagues and concerned parties internally and externally
- flexibility to travel frequently in the region
- ability to deal patiently and tactfully with people of different national and cultural background
- demonstrated ability to develop and maintain effective work relationships with country/regional counterparts and staff within the office, host population, donors, NGOs and other UN agencies

Minimum qualifications:
Education:
Advanced university degree in sociology, economics, agriculture, geography, nutrition, rural development and or similar relevant discipline

Experience:
At least five years of postgraduate progressively responsible professional experience in foo in food security, vulnerability analysis or a closely related area, such as food security or early warning

Knowledge:
Strong knowledge of food security analysis and the data collection, treatment, and manipulation techniques typically associated with it
Advanced computer skills, including at least intermediate skills in windows based word processing, spreadsheet, database and GIS applications

Language:
International Professional: Working knowledge (proficiency/level C) of English and French essential. Limited knowledge (intermediate/level B) of Portuguese would be an asset.

Desirable skills:
Advanced knowledge of geographic information systems (GIS) and statistical analysis software such as SPSS
Experience in early warning and remote sensing and familiarity with the specialty software applications associated with them
Familiarity with quantitative and qualitative survey techniques
Experience in the design and implementation of food assistance programmes
Some experience in remote sensing interpretation and analysis, NDVI, CCD

How to apply:

Interested applicants should submit the documents detailed below to naouar.labidi@wfp.org , copying cedric.charpentier@wfp.org

1) Letter of interest explaining why the applicant considers her/himself the most suitable for the work, if possible in French
2) Personal CV including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees (Both French and English are acceptable) 3) Personal History Form (P11) (Both French and English are acceptable). The P11 Form can be obtained at:http://www.unon.org/docs/P11.doc

Only short listed candidates will be notified.