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Early Warning and Risk Analyst (economic risks)

Italy

  • Organization: WFP - World Food Programme
  • Location: Italy
  • Grade: Level not specified - Level not specified
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Economics
    • Disaster Management (Preparedness, Resilience, Response and Recovery)
    • Emergency Aid and Response
  • Closing Date: Closed

WFP seeks candidates of the highest integrity and professionalism who share our humanitarian principles

Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis, and we are committed to promoting diversity and gender balance

 

 

Terms of Reference:

 

The Emergency Operations Division (EME) is responsible for enhancing WFP’s preparedness and response capacity in emergencies, including risk analysis and early warning, preparedness planning, crisis support and information management. The Branch provides analytical and research support, normative guidance, technical operational support and capacity building to field offices and regional bureaux, as well as inter-agency coordination.

 

Analysis and early warning for emerging climate, economic and political risks that may lead to humanitarian or operational implications is an important part of preparedness. Building WFP’s early warning capacity as an important part for preparedness and early action planning is a strategic priority for the Division.

 

To fulfil these responsibilities the Analysis and Early Warning (AEW) unit undertakes research and analysis, and collaborates with other units within EME, WFP’s Research, Assessment and Monitoring (RAM) division, WFP’s Field Security analytical unit, other WFP divisions, humanitarian agencies, and partners in academic and research institutions, as well as WFP Regional Bureaux and Country Offices. The AEW unit also leads the Early Warning Early Action and Readiness (EWEAR) Report process of the Inter Agency Standing Committee (IASC). This Early Warning Report is a critical component of a coordinated inter-agency early warning analysis to activate preparedness actions of different humanitarian actors, including various UN agencies, Red Cross movement, as well as INGO partners.

 

The Early Warning and Risk Analyst (economic risks) will report to the Economic Risk Analyst.

 

 

Accountabilities/Responsibilities:         

 

  • Conduct systematic horizon scanning, research and analysis on economic risks for specific regions across Africa, the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific, and Latin America and the Caribbean and issue early warnings on economic events or trends that are likely to lead to humanitarian impact or significant impact on WFP operations;
  • Ensure rigorous data collection and validation of economic risk analysis and outlooks; develop analytical methods and guidelines related to economic risk assessment, including manuals, trainings and guidelines on risk indicators, triggers and thresholds; ensure use of information management tools and other tools to support rigorous and consistent monitoring and analysis;
  • Contribute to the development of the economic risk early warning methodology, including new data-based analysis and forecasting techniques potentially including the use of software packages for forecasting and machine learning;
  • Ensure integration of analysis and research between economic risks and climate risks and conflict/political risks to identify interactions, and cumulative effects; 
  • Prepare probability-of-impact assessments and anticipatory warnings for emerging economic risks that could cause additional needs for humanitarian assistance or affect WFP’s operations;
  • Provide regular risk updates and relevant inputs to WFP’s Early Warning Watch List, Corporate Alert System, FAO-WFP Hunger Hotspots early warning report, the IASC EWEAR Report, and weekly analytical updates; proactively initiate and oversee the drafting of specialized analysis briefs on “hot-spot” countries;
  • Provide inputs to strategic, cross-cutting and thematic economic risk analysis;
  • Support field offices as required with analytical in-country missions, scenario-building, scenarios for Concept of Operations (CONOPs) or related analytical services;
  • Ensure close coordination with relevant EME-unit on field support on operational readiness and early actions, where required;
  • Conduct economic risk analysis, in close collaboration with RAM Economic and Market Analysis Unit, other relevant HQ units and Regional Bureaux; strengthen economic analysis through coordination and data integration with relevant stakeholders (incl. GIS unit, OSC, VAM Economic and Market Analysis Unit, Cash-based Transfer division, as well as RB VAM advisors);
  • Ensure food security analysis and projections are solidly embedded throughout the risk impact analysis;
  • Support external EME partnerships through the establishment of working level contacts and routine liaison on early warning and risk analysis, including information sharing and risk assessments across areas of common interest; pro-actively identify and establish  partnership opportunities to strengthen EME’s analysis on economic risk early warnings;
  • Maintain close communication and collaboration with WFP Regional Bureaux (RBs) and Country Offices (COs) on risk identification, and strengthen decentralization and integration of risk assessments;
  • Support Country Offices with relevant contextual analysis to develop WFP Country Strategic Plans/CSPs as required;
  • Coordinate with other WFP teams and non-WFP contacts to promote the use of AEW tools and services and assist in the harmonization of risk assessment methodologies within WFP and within the IASC Early Warning community;
  • Contribute to training and institutional capacity building products including supporting through facilitation;
  • Be available to work remotely as needed;
  • Perform other related duties as required.

 

 

 

 

 

DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT:

 

 

 

  • Production of analytical inputs to CAS Risk Briefs, Watchlist, Flash Alerts, Seasonal Outlooks, FAO-WFP Hunger Hotspots early warning report, the IASC EWEAR Report, analytical briefs for WFP senior management, and case-specific thematic research and risk and impact analysis regarding economic and natural hazard risks;
  • On-demand analytical and technical support to Regional Bureaux and Country Offices, incl. field missions.

 

 

 

 

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

 

 

 

Education:

 

 

Advanced University degree in Macroeconomics, International Economics, Development Economics, Political Economics, Agroeconomics, or other relevant fields;

 

 

Experience:

 

 

  • A minimum of five years professional experience in the field of analysis and research on macroeconomics, development economics, monetary economics, financial economics and international political economics;
  • Professional experience in risk analysis and early warning, possibly related to food assistance, humanitarian response planning, or humanitarian action; 
  • Experience in research on interlinks between macroeconomics and food security as well as economic, conflict and natural hazard risk is highly desired.

 

 

 

Knowledge and skills:

 

 

  • Knowledge of and experience in humanitarian field operations, emergency response, preparedness and planning, ideally incl. WFP operations, is highly desired;
  • Excellent research, analytical and communication skills. Capacity to convey effectively complex technical concepts to varied audiences. Strong proven ability to produce high-quality analytical products (reports, briefs, alerts, scenarios) 
  • Knowledge of basic statistical software (ex. R, Python)
  • Ability to work both with minimal supervision and as part of a team;
  • Ability to establish collaborative and fruitful collaboration with colleagues and external partners.
  • Resilient to stress and capacity to maintain attention to details under tight deadlines.

 

 

 

Languages:

 

 

Fluency (Level C) in English language is required, and a second official UN language.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Terms and Conditions

 

 

 

WFP offers a competitive compensation package which will be determined by the contract type and selected candidate’s qualifications and experience.

 

Please visit the following websites for detailed information on working with WFP.

http://www.wfp.org Click on: “Our work” and “Countries” to learn more about WFP’s operations.

 

Deadline for applications: 8 August 2021

Ref.: VA No. 143708

 

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.

 

 

This vacancy is now closed.
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