Research Analyst Consultant

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

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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.

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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: Research Analyst Consultant

TYPE OF CONTRACT: Regular Consultant Level 1

UNIT/DIVISION: Office of Evaluation (OEV)

DUTY STATION (City Country): Rome

DURATION: 9 Months (13 April 2026 31 December 2026)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

The WFP Evaluation Policy (2022) aims to contributes to global knowledge and supports decision making and Sustainability Development Goal (SDG) achievement at the global regional and national levels ensuring that evaluation evidence consistently and comprehensively informs decisions on WFP policies strategies plans and programmes. The Evaluation Policy and its amendments mandate the Office of Evaluation (OEV) to commission and manage a range of evaluation types (Country Strategic Plan Corporate Emergency Policy Strategic and Synthesis evaluations to generate evidence to assess performance and informs decisions on WFP policies strategies plans and programmes. Centralized evaluations (commissioned by OEV) have a dual purpose of accountability and learning and are managed in accordance with UNEG norms and standards to ensure that they are independent credible and useful.

Each evaluation is managed by an evaluation officer and is as often as possible supported by a research and data analyst who provides essential analytical and operational support across the evaluation cycle including data analysis process management; knowledge management of data/documents used in evaluations; preparation of terms of reference; quality assurance of evaluation deliverables; and coordination of the evaluation process and stakeholder engagement.

The current and forecasted OEVs programme of work and evaluation portfolio requires the current workforce of Research Analysts within OEVs Analytics and Research Unit (ARU). The Research Analyst will work with a high level of autonomy reporting to the Head of ARU and functionally to various evaluation managers responsible for the evaluations to which the analyst is assigned.

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

Centralized evaluations: Research and data analysis

The research analyst will conduct research and data analysis for a minimum of four Centralized Evaluations (CE) which are at varying stages of implementation including the social protection and global assurance project strategic evaluations; and the evaluation of Jordan and Burundi CSPs. The allocation of evaluations is subject to changes during the course of the consultancy.

The research analyst will lead data analytics and support information management; and quality assurance of evaluations draft deliverables; he/she will also support the evaluation manager in managing the evaluation process through the different phases of the evaluation:

Preparation phase: Set up electronic evaluation library and conduct a desk-review of key documents; extract and analyze key datasets; provide inputs to and draft some sections of the evaluation concept note and Terms of Reference; provide substantive inputs to the evaluability assessment. Support the evaluation manager in the evaluation teams selection. Support the evaluation manager in defining the composition of Internal and External (as relevant) Reference Groups. Support the evaluation manager to identify key informants within and outside WFP.

Inception phase: Update and manage the e-evaluation library as needed; support the evaluation manager in the preparation and delivery of inception briefings to support the onboarding of the evaluation team; conduct data sessions for the evaluation teams and guide them through the evaluation library. Support the evaluation manager to coordinate the planning of inception meetings (in-person or virtual). Support the planning of the inception mission and participate in the inception mission if required. Document newly available information documents datasets and issues arising from the inception interviews. Critically review the proposed evaluation methodological approach and other sections of the inception report to ensure that available data is considered and evaluation questions are addressed. Consolidate comments from the reference group and OEV on the draft inception report and support the evaluation manager in quality assuring the various iterations of the draft inception report. Support the finalization of the data collection field mission schedule(s) coordinating with country offices and the evaluation team.

Data collection phase: Support the organization of the data collection mission by liaising with the Country Office. Address data queries from the evaluation team.

Analysis and reporting phase: Support the preparation and delivery of the evaluation stakeholder workshops. Support in quality assurance of the evaluation report to make sure that data has been used to shape the evaluation storyline. Review all data tables/figures/visuals in the report and ensure they are consistent with the data used by OEV in the TOR phase and Inception phase. Consolidate the reference groups and OEV comments on the draft evaluation report and share with the evaluation team. Support the evaluation manager in quality assuring the various iterations of the draft evaluation report.

Dissemination phase: Support the evaluation manager in drafting the summary evaluation report and addressing comments from OEV and policy committee; contribute to the preparation of communication products including presentations briefs talking points and ED memo for the Round Table/Executive Board sessions. Support the evaluation manager and OEV management in addressing questions and comments from Board members.

In addition the research analyst also supports the evaluation manager on knowledge management of the evaluation including ensuring that all OEV calendars and other tracking tools such as the MIS are updated on a timely manner.

For some evaluations OEV is currently exploring scope for embedding research analysts in evaluation team. Subject to positive results the duties of the research assistant might encompass in the future a more substantive role in evaluation delivery. The nature and specific tasks will be defined in specific evaluation terms of reference.

Data championship and focal point roles

OEV believes in the continuous improvement of its research and analytics systems to support the efficient and effective delivery of its evaluation plan. The research analyst will contribute to the workplan of the ARU acting as a data champion and alternate for budgeting and beneficiaries addition the analyst will be assigned to be ARU focal point for the evaluation coordination cluster. He/she will ensure self-training update relevant guidelines and provide ad hoc training (to ARU and OEV) on assigned data champion areas. He/she will keep up with new developments and reach out to potential external partners identifying synergies and ways of mutual collaboration. The research analyst will provide timely and quality stand-in support to colleagues within ARU and OEV and will participate to weekly and bi-weekly ARU meetings.

Contribute to other OEV priorities

The Research Analysist will also contribute to OEVs effective team and corporate performance through:

Support the Peer Review of WFP Evaluation Function and follow-up actions. Participate in the review and update of OEV guidance and tools related to the engagement with evaluation firms with whom OEV has established long-term agreements. Participate in the knowledge management of data products for global and synthesis evaluations. Participate in planning and coordinating meetings/retreats and learning events. Support the preparation and delivery of evaluation events such as EvalXchange and GLOW with the aim to promote the use of evaluation evidence. Support 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 strengthening of WFP evaluation function.

Most activities will be carried out in Rome. However the analyst may be required to travel to other WFP sites to support evaluation work as required.

DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT:

For accountability 1and 2:

• All tasks assigned completed on time and to professional standards as per the detailed TOR of specific 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 2: to be defined. Overall the key results will contribute to the overall effectiveness of WFPs evaluation function.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Education:

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

Experience:

At least four years of relevant professional working experience preferably related to humanitarian or development work;

At least two years of professional experience in evaluation research data analysis;

Experience using a variety of quantitative and qualitative analytical tools and methods.

Past experience with WFP and solid knowledge of WFP budget and beneficiary corporate data sources are an asset.

Knowledge & Skills:

Functional competencies

• Fully computer-literate with excellent skills in Word Excel Power Point and database management;
• Excellent qualitative and quantitative analytical skills including statistical/econometric abilities combined with rigorous approach;
• Eye for details and accuracy;
• Excellent communication skills written verbal and visual.
• Demonstrated ability to manage analyze clean and present data;
• Ability to work with various evaluation managers at the same time and manage work planning and competing deadlines alerting functional and line managers when needed;
• Ability to engage professionally with evaluation stakeholders and evaluation teams;
• Demonstrated flexibility and ability to adapt to changing context;
• Experience in supporting coordination bodies.
• Understanding of UN/NGO engagement at field level;
• 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

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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:

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REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

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• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the recruitment process.

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.