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Job Description
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS
17 October 2025-23:59-GMT01:00 Central European Time (Rome)WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race colour national origin ethnic or social background genetic information gender gender identity and/or expression sexual orientation religion or belief HIV status or disability.
ABOUT WFP
The World Food Programme is the worlds 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 WFPs 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: follow us on social media to keep up with our latest news: YouTube LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Twitter TikTok.
WHY JOIN WFP
WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.
WFP offers a highly inclusive diverse and multicultural working environment.
WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of training accreditation coaching mentorship and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities.
A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across the various country regional and global offices around the world and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe.
We offer an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section of this vacancy announcement).
JOB TITLE:
Social scientist (multiple positions)
TYPE OF CONTRACT:
Consultant
UNIT/DIVISION:
Research Assessment and Monitoring (RAM)
DUTY STATION (City Country):
Based on needs of specific assignment (HQ Regional Bureau and/or country-specific support)
DURATION:
1 month to 6 months
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:
This vacancy announcement is for a roster of social scientist consultants with expertise in qualitative data collection analysis and reporting. Multiple positions are expected to be available.
WFP seeks to build a roster of professionals ready to be deployed at the headquarters regional or country level to provide technical advice or lead on implementing qualitative research projects. These projects will contribute to WFPs assessments monitoring reviews evaluation and operational research with the objective to expand WFPs evidence base to guide WFPs programmatic approaches and demonstrate long-term impact.
WFP is seeking candidates with technical expertise in the following methodological areas:
- Design and management of qualitative research projects within assessments monitoring evaluations or operational research;
- Conducting qualitative data collection and analysis in low- and middle-income settings;
- Use of qualitative data analysis software (NVivo or MAXQDA;
- Reporting and communicating on qualitative data including designing effective evidence products;
- Capacity building of national and local stakeholders on methodologies for qualitative data collection analysis and reporting.
- Use of participatory techniques in food security and nutrition (for instance Participatory Needs Assessment and Participatory Rural Appraisal).
Experience and expertise with WFPs programmatic approaches and cross-cutting priorities is an advantage such as food security nutrition prevention and treatment school-based programmes social protection resilience building gender equality and womens empowerment and protection and accountability to affected populations.
The roster will include candidates with different levels of experience and expertise. The individual contracts and Terms of References will be developed by the hiring unit at either HQ the Regional Bureau or the Country Office.
INCLUSION IN THE ROSTER DOES NOT GUARANTEE ANY FUTURE CONTRACTUAL RELATION WITH THE WFP
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:
The United Nations World Food Programme is the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate. We are the worlds 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.
WFP teams regularly collect quantitative and qualitative data as per the corporate monitoring requirements however full utilization of qualitative data has been identified as a gap both regionally and globally. WFP is therefore committed to develop staff capacity on qualitative data methodologies and integrate qualitative data in WFP monitoring systems through various online and facilitated courses on qualitative research as well as technical support to qualitative data collection and analysis activities across WFP.
To learn more about WFP visit our website: and follow us on social media to keep up with our latest news: LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Twitter.
ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:
The consultant(s) will be responsible for the following depending on expertise:
- Design management and execution of qualitative evidence generation activities for WFP or for WFPs partners;
- Provide technical advice on qualitative data collection analysis and reporting methodologies as per current developments in the field; and
- Support the capacity building of WFP staff and national and local level stakeholders on methodologies for qualitative data collection analysis and reporting.
- Support the integration of qualitative approaches in regular evidence building activities.
- Support programme decisions by integrating qualitative feedback from the field.
- Support developing qualitative methods to
- Assess food insecurity malnutrition and other needs
- Inform targeting and prioritization decisions
- Inform program design and planning
- Conduct regular monitoring and evaluation exercises
- Measures the population perceptions and intentions about topics of operational concern
- Analyse and integrate Complaint Feedback Mechanism (CFM) data into programme design
- Support developing qualitative methods to
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
Education:
Advanced University degree in Anthropology Sociology Development Studies International Development International Relations or other relevant social scientist fields.
Experience:
At least 2 years of professional experience with:
- A social scientist background (technical knowledge and/or operational experience) with an established professional reputation;
- Demonstrated expertise in the above-specified methodological areas.
- Preferred familiarity with WFPs programmatic approaches and cross-cutting priorities
Since the roster will include experts of varying levels of experience and expertise we encourage everyone to apply with a range of methodological experience.
Knowledge and Skills:
- Knowledge of current thinking and developments in the field of qualitative data collection and analysis and reporting;
- Ability to develop and maintain professional relationships with a variety of stakeholders;
- Ability to analyse and triangulate qualitative and quantitative information to understand current and future operational needs and identify solutions;
- Problem-solving and decision-making skills;
- Aptitude for supervising guiding and empowering staff;
- Ability to develop and maintain relationships with a variety of stakeholders conveying an informed and professional demeanour toward internal and external partners and stakeholders;
- Ability to work independently in a timely and organised manne;.
- Ability to work as part of a team participating in open dialogues and valuing diverse opinions of others regardless of gender culture background experience or country assignment;
- Knowledge of key national and regional contexts and issues; and
- Demonstrated ability to produce high-quality written outputs and ability to present in English and the working language.
Language:
International Professional: Fluency (level C) in English language.
Intermediate knowledge (level B) of a second official UN language: Arabic Chinese French Russian Spanish and/or WFPs working language Portuguese is preferred.
Terms and Conditions
All applications received will be reviewed and go through a selection process to assess relevant experience and qualifications. Applicants who meet the selection criteria may be contacted for further interviews or assessments and to confirm their continued interest and availability.
Successful candidates will be placed on a roster for short-term opportunities. Rostered applicants may be contacted in the upcoming 24 months on an as-needed basis.
Applications are submitted in English.
WFP offers a competitive compensation package which will be determined by the contract type and selected candidates qualifications and experience.
Please visit the following websites for detailed information on working with WFP.
Click on: Our work and Countries to learn more about WFPs operations.
Deadline for applications: Sunday 10 December 2022 Midnight Rome time (CET)
Vacancy announcement ref.: TBC with HR
Qualified female applicants and qualified applicants from developing countries are especially encouraged to apply
WFP has zero tolerance for discrimination and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status
No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ) International Civil Service Commission (ICSC) FAO Finance Committee WFP External Auditor WFP Audit Committee Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.
WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK
WFP Leadership Framework guides to the common standards of behavior that guide HOW we work together to accomplish our mission.
Click here to access WFP Leadership Framework
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
WFP is committed to supporting individuals with disabilities by providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process. If you require a reasonable accommodation please contact:
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 in case you face any challenges with submitting your application
Only shortlisted candidates will be notified
All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs job requirements merit and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse all forms of discrimination any kind of harassment sexual harassment and abuse of authority. Therefore all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ) International Civil Service Commission (ICSC) FAO Finance Committee WFP External Auditor WFP Audit Committee Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.
Employment Type
Full Time
