WFP National Vulnerability Assessment and Mapping (VAM) Officer Job in Kenya

WFP National Vulnerability Assessment and Mapping (VAM) Officer Job in Kenya
Vacancy Announcement WFP/27/10
This Vacancy is open to Kenyan male and female candidates.

Qualified female candidates are particularly encouraged to apply.

Job Title: National Vulnerability Assessment and Mapping (VAM) Officer
Post Grade: NOC – Fixed Term

Duty Station: Nairobi
Deadline for application: 17 December 2010

The Vulnerability Assessment and Mapping (VAM) Officer will report first level to the International VAM Officer and second level to the Deputy Country Director or their designees.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:
Within delegated authority, the Vulnerability Assessment and Mapping (VAM) Officer will be responsible for the following duties:
    * Strengthen KCO 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;
    * Supervise food security assessments. Ensure the use of such knowledge to inform WFP decision making and contributes to country level work of government counterparts, civil society organizations, bilateral donors and UN agencies;
    * Produce high-quality reports of assessments; support the production of technical reports with strong analysis, and inputs; assist with drafting of relevant sections for project documents, for example PRRO and Country Programme;
    * Provide leadership in national level discussions. Foster partnerships with government and civil society that build upon and strengthen existing capacities for vulnerability analysis and policy/strategy development for food security, poverty reduction and achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs);
    * Represent WFP in key government Food Security forums including KFSSG, ASCU TWG and CAADP-related forums and maintain WFP partnership with multi-sectoral Food Security Coordination Structures in Kenya;
    * Participate and support the broader national level discussions and policy/strategy development for food security, poverty reduction and achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs);
    * Advise on strategic food security vision and country level frameworks;
    * 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);
    * Periodically review and provide technical assistance in developing and enhancing emergency needs assessments methodology and provide training to WFP staff and partners;
    * Assist with the development of in-house expertise in Weather Index insurance;
    * Perform other related duties as required

Qualifications: Advanced university degree in sociology, economics, agriculture, geography, nutrition, rural development and/or similar relevant discipline.

Desirable: 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 and Skills: At least five years of postgraduate progressively responsible professional experience in food security, vulnerability analysis or a closely related area, such as food security information management systems.

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

Languages: Excellent written and spoken English, good spoken Kiswahili.

Kenyan nationals meeting the above qualifications are required to submit a covering letter quoting Vacancy Announcement No. WFP/27/10 with their updated Curriculum Vitae, copies of certificates and name, title and e-mail address of three referees.

Candidates should also complete a Personal History form (P.11) available on the following link - http://www.unon.org/docs/P11.doc.

All documents should be sent in an envelope which must be marked:

CONFIDENTIAL VA/27/10 and sent to:-

Human Resources Officer
World Food Programme
P.O. Box 44482
Nairobi 00100

Applications must be received by the deadline.

Late applications will not be considered.

Only short-listed candidates meeting all essential qualifications will be contacted.