Vacancy Announcement No. 2010/TL-005 (RE-ADVERTISED)
Post Title: National Programme Officer – (1 position)
Contract Type: Service Contract
Post grade: NO-A
Duty Station: Dili, Timor-Leste
Duration: One year Service Contract (with 3 months SSA probation period) renewable.
Deadline of Application: 30th April 2010
Duties/Responsibilities:
Under the overall supervision of the Head of Programme Unit, the National Programme Officer for Vulnerability Assessment and Mapping (VAM) will be responsible for the following duties:
· Strengthen WFP knowledge base and 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;
· Ensure the use of such knowledge to inform WFP decision making as well as contribute to country level work of 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;
· Develop information products to support decision making during the pre- intervention period such as contingency planning and emergency needs assessments as well as support operational planning including project design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation phases of the WFP programming cycle;
· Strengthen the operational capacity of WFP staff to conduct food security assessments and analysis at the Country and Sub-Office levels;
· Lead and/or participate in food security and vulnerability assessments and monitoring and other joint assessments;
· Analyze 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;
· 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), 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);
· 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.
Mapping Services
· Preparation of maps that graphically represent findings from comprehensive food security and vulnerability analyses, thematic studies and food security monitoring.
· Preparation of maps that support other country-level operational functions central to WFP programming, e.g. logistics.
· Preparation of maps that provide an inventory of local resources and capacities, i.e. infrastructure, personnel, NGO services, that can complement WFP operations.
· Preparation of thematic, i.e. analytical, maps for WFP partners in government, civil society and UN system agencies, and to support WFP advocacy activities.
Qualifications:
· Bachelor’s degree in any one of the following disciplines is required: Economics, Environment, Agriculture, Geography, Development Studies, Social Sciences, Statistics, Anthropology, or Nutrition.
· Post-graduate (Master’s) degree is preferred.
· Fluency in both oral and written English. Knowledge of local languages.
· Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint and Word skills are required.
Desirable skills and/or experience:
§ At least three years of postgraduate progressively responsible professional experience in food security, vulnerability analysis or a closely related area, such as food security or early warning.
§ Advanced knowledge of geographic information systems (GIS) and statistical analysis software [such as SPSS], dbase management, and mapping [ArcView/ArcGIS/MapInfo];
§ 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;
§ Good communication skills;
§ Ability to plan and organize work under tight deadlines;
§ Ability to work independently and efficiently.
Qualified candidates are requested to quote the Vacancy Number on the envelopes and send or hand deliver their application letter, enclosing their updated CVs together with copies of academic and professional certificates, names and addresses of three referees to:
Human Resources Unit
World Food Programme, Rua Balide, Mascarenhas, P.O. Box133, Dili, Timor Leste.
Post is open only to national of the country. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
Date issue: 12 April 2010.
WFP IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
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