Vulnerability Assessment and Mapping (VAM) Officers Profile

The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world's largest humanitarian agency, fighting hunger worldwide. We are seeking qualified individuals to replenish our Vulnerability Assessment and Mapping (VAM) Officers Profile. Potential position(s) may become available in our Headquarters, Regional, Country and Sub-Offices of WFP throughout the world. ARE YOU UP TO THE CHALLENGE?
Selected candidates may be asked to serve in a difficult duty station upon appointment. Please visit our videos on the corporate recruitment website to get a taste of life as WFP worker: http://www.wfp.org/about/vacancies

The main focus of the VAM positions is to support high quality food security and vulnerability analysis/monitoring for the design and management of food security interventions. Within delegated authority, the Vulnerability Assessment and Mapping (VAM) Officer will be responsible for the following duties: (These duties are generic and thus not all-inclusive nor are all duties carried out by all Vulnerability Assessment and Mapping (VAM) Officers) Strengthen WFP knowledge base and the understanding of food security and vulnerability issues at country level contributing to a better preparedness and response capacity to protect the lives and livelihoods of vulnerable communities that are at risk; 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, coordinate and participate in food security assessment activities (including Emergency Food Security Assessments (EFSA), Joint Assessment missions and the Crop and Food Supply Assessment Missions (CFSAM)) when required; Lead, coordinate and/or participate in Market analysis; Integrate market analysis and/or nutrition in food security and vulnerability analysis and monitoring; Analyse geographic patterns of food insecurity and vulnerability by integrating primary food security data with other sources of data in the Geography Information Systems (GIS) environment; Strengthen the use of food security analytical products for decision making in WFP, Government, UN, donors and the civil society 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; Provide technical support and guidance to the establishment, maintenance and analysis of project monitoring and evaluation systems to assess changes in the food security and vulnerability status of particular population groups (i.e. beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries) so as to support WFP programming decisions; Participate in the analytical work of the UN Country Teams and provide inputs on food security related components of the UN Common Country Assessments (CCA), 1

United Nations Development Assistance Frameworks (UNDAF) and Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS); Participate and support the broader national level discussions and policy/strategy development for food security, poverty reduction and achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs); Provide support and technical leadership to the development of coherent WFP food security information strategy that links emergency food security analysis, vulnerability analysis and monitoring and programme M&E Undertake the collation and dissemination of lessons learning and good practice, at the global level, in the area of food security and vulnerability analysis and monitoring; Provide the WFP country office with the necessary GIS and mapping capability that include: preparation of thematic analytical maps that support country level operational functions of WFP such as logistics; and preparation of maps that provide an inventory of local resources and capacities (e.g. infrastructure, personnel, NGO services) that can complement WFP operations; Provide the WFP country office food security and vulnerability information management capacity by maintaining and updating databases of spatial and socioeconomic data and developing mechanisms by which such data are shared with other programme units in the country office as well as other partners; Foster partnerships with government and civil society that build upon and strengthen existing capacities for vulnerability analysis. Build effective collaboration between WFP units as well as other relevant agencies; Transfer skills and develop sustainable capacity in food security analysis and information management systems in relevant government institutions and local partners; Supervise staff and ensure that all staff are adequately trained in order to achieve high working standards; Perform other related duties as required.

Qualifications & Experience Required Education: Advanced university degree in sociology, economics, agriculture, agricultural economics, statistics, geography, nutrition, rural development and or similar relevant discipline. Experience: At P3 level: At least five years of postgraduate progressively responsible professional experience in food security, vulnerability analysis or a closely related area, such as food security or early warning. At P4 level: At least eight years (of which 3 international) of postgraduate progressively responsible professional experience in food security, vulnerability analysis or a closely related area, such as food security information management systems. At P5 level: At least eleven years (4 of which international) of postgraduate progressively responsible professional experience in food security, vulnerability analysis or a closely related area, such as food security or early warning. Management experience in running and coordinating food security information systems is required. 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. Working knowledge of basic statistics.

Competencies: WFPs core competencies for professionals include action management, communication skills, teamwork and high standards of ethics and values.

Language: Proficiency (level C) of an official UN language: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian or Spanish; and intermediate knowledge (level B) of another official UN language listed above or Portuguese (one of WFPs working language); At least limited knowledge (intermediate/level B) of English is required under all circumstances. Desirable skills: Advanced knowledge of geographic information systems (GIS) and statistical analysis software; Experience in early warning and remote sensing and familiarity with the speciality software applications associated with them; Familiarity with quantitative and qualitative survey techniques; Experience in the design and implementation of food aid programmes; Some experience in remote sensing interpretation and analysis, NDVI, CCD. Experience in market analysis. Websites to visit before applying: http://www.wfp.org Click on: Where we work and Our work to learn more about WFPs operations http://icsc.un.org Click on: Quick Links > Salary Scales > by date http://www.unstaffmobility.org Learn more about countries where the UN operates Application procedures: Go to: http://i-recruitment.wfp.org/vacancies/12-0012379 Step 1: Create your online CV. Step 2: Click on Description to read the position requirements and Apply to submit your application. NOTE: You must complete Step 2 in order for your application to be considered for this vacancy. Deadline for applications: 31 March, 2012
WFP has zero tolerance for discrimination and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status. Qualified female applicants and qualified applicants from developing countries are encouraged to apply

REF: 12-0012379

Fighting Hunger Worldwide