Conflict Analysis position with the World Food Programme

[Kevin WYJAD]

Dear All,

 

I hope you are well. The World Food Programme’s Emergency Preparedness and Response Branch is looking for a Conflict Analyst to join the Analysis and Early Warning unit. For details please see the position Terms of Reference below and attached.

 

Grateful if you could forward this message to any promising candidates you may know, and circulate within appropriate networks.

 

Applicants should send an email containing a resume, cover letter and contact information for three references in the body text (not attached) to marion...@wfp.org and kevin...@wfp.org no later than 02 June 2013, with “AEW Conflict Analyst Application” in the subject line.

 

Please let me know if you have any questions. Many thanks for your assistance in finding the right person for this position.

 

All the best,

 

Kevin

 

Kevin WYJAD

United Nations World Food Programme

Emergency Preparedness and Response Branch (OMEP 5Y72)

Via Cesar Giulio Viola 68, Parco dei Medici

Rome 00148, Italy

Office: +39 06 6513 2446

Mobile: +39 346 341 7535

Email: kevin...@wfp.org

Skype: kjwyjad

 

Terms of Reference – Conflict Analyst

 

Duty Station:        Rome (HQ)

Branch:                   Emergency Preparedness and Response Coordination Support Branch (OMEP)

Starting date:       15 July 2013

Duration:                6 months, with potential for extension

Contract type:      Consultant

 

INTRODUCTION

 

The Emergency Preparedness and Response Coordination Branch (OMEP) is responsible for enhancing the World Food Programme’s (WFP) preparedness and response capacity in emergencies, including early warning, preparedness planning, crisis support and information management. The branch provides normative guidance, technical support and capacity building to field offices and regional bureaux, as well as inter-agency coordination.

 

Analysis and early warning for natural, economic and political risks is an important part of preparedness, and building WFP’s early warning capacity is a strategic priority for OMEP. Toward this end the Branch has established the Analysis and Early Warning Unit (AEW) to support the WFP Emergency Preparedness and Response Package (EPRP), WFP’s resource allocation, and other business processes through analysis and anticipation. To fulfil these responsibilities the AEW collaborates with OMEP units, WFP’s Vulnerability Assessment and Mapping Branch, WFP’s Field Security analytical unit, other humanitarian agencies, and partners in academic and research institutions.

 

The Analysis and Early Warning Unit also leads the Early Warning Report process of the Inter Agency Standing Committee Sub-Working Group on Preparedness (IASC SWG). This Early Warning Report is a critical component of coordinated inter-agency preparedness, and the internal preparedness actions of humanitarian actors including WFP, OCHA, UNHCR, UNICEF and OHCHR.

 

RESPONSIBILITIES

 

The Conflict Analyst reports to the Analysis and Early Warning Head of Unit for the following:

1.       Providing anticipatory warning for conflicts that could affect WFP’s operations, as part of WFP’s Early Warning Network for EPRP risks;

2.       Conducting monthly probability-of-impact assessments on conflict risks, in collaboration with other team members, and relevant offices and units in ODEP and WFP more broadly;

3.       Drafting specialised conflict analysis briefs, including Risk Background Briefs to support EPRP risk identification;

4.       Maintaining regularly updated lists of conflict risks that could affect WFP’s operations, based on EPRP country office risk registers, collaborative efforts with IASC SWG partners, and unit research;

5.       Leading the compilation and drafting of the IASC SWG Early Warning Report;

6.       Assisting with coordinating the IASC SWG’s Early Warning Report process;

7.       Researching on-going and potential armed conflicts to improve WFP’s understanding of key actors, including objectives, priorities, options and capabilities;

8.       Producing the conflict component of a monthly WFP Early Warning Report;

9.       Contributing conflict analysis and risk assessments to the Inter-Agency Standing Committee’s (IASC) early warning processes;

10.   Any other tasks as required by the Head of Unit.

 

PROFILE

 

1.       A minimum of three years professional experience in conflict risk assessment or early warning is mandatory.

2.       Post-graduate degree in political science, international relations, conflict analysis or a relevant field. Extensive professional experience may be considered in lieu of an advanced degree.

3.       Strong writing skills with a demonstrated ability to research and draft clear, concise conflict analysis briefs.

4.       Fluent English, plus a working knowledge of French or Arabic (having both is a definite asset).

5.       High level of comfort thinking and describing uncertainty in terms of probabilities.

6.       Ability to work both with minimal supervision and as part of a team.

 

APPLICATION DETAILS

 

1.       Please send an email containing a resume, cover letter and contact information for three references in the body text (not attached) to marion...@wfp.org and kevin...@wfp.org no later than 02 June 2013, with “AEW Conflict Analyst Application” in the subject line.