Vam Officer - Economic, Market & Food Security Analyst (Consultant Level II)

The VAM Officer will provide robust food security analysis and strategic guidance to support the implementation of the Country Strategic Plan in Somalia. The role includes leading market and economic analysis, overseeing food security assessments, and providing technical advice on assistance planning and targeting.

Responsibilities

• Guide and supervise teams in food security assessments, survey design, sampling methodology and statistical data analysis.
• Strengthen the WFP Somalia market and economic monitoring system, addressing gaps related to coverage, reporting and key indicators.
• Provide oversight and advice on data driven beneficiary targeting, including statistical models and scoring algorithms for food assistance programmes.
• Provide technical assistance, trainings and capacity strengthening for data driven targeting implementation.
• Manage cross-sectional, longitudinal food security assessments, experimental research and statistical analysis to inform food assistance policies and targeting.
• Update data quality assurance systems and develop capacity for national and area office data collection teams, including partners, using WFP mobile data collection platforms such as MoDA.
• Run data quality checks and develop algorithms to automate data cleaning, quality checks and error detection.
• Manage and analyse market price database at country level, ensuring data quality, integrating new parameters, time series analysis and automating data collection and visualization using MODA and Tableau.
• Provide technical guidance and coordinate with agencies to monitor and update the Minimum Expenditure Basket and adjust assistance transfer values using household needs assessments and market data.
• Update SOPs for market price monitoring and enhance Market Functionality Monitoring and update food prices, exchange rates and fuel prices.
• Plan capacity-strengthening training programmes for national staff and provide coaching and guidance to improve skills in markets, food security and economic monitoring.
• Participate and contribute to Cash working group, food security working group and Operational Information Management.
• Participate and lead technical discussions on single registration system for referrals and referral scoring system in Somalia.
• Collaborate with ministries, agencies and stakeholders to address market, commodity flows and price issues, especially cross-border trade monitoring.

Requirements

• Advanced University Degree in Economics, Econometrics, Social Sciences, Agriculture, Food Security, Nutrition, or other related fields, OR a First University Degree with additional years of relevant work experience and/or training/courses.
• Academic qualifications with a focus on market analysis, food security, vulnerability assessment, livelihoods, economics, or other closely related disciplines are highly desirable.
• At least five (5) years of relevant experience with an Advanced University Degree OR a First University Degree with a minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in market and economic analysis, vulnerability assessment, food security analysis, early warning systems, or related fields.
• Experience in humanitarian and development programming, including the provision of timely analytical products and evidence-based decision-making support, is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision, manage competing priorities, and supervise and coordinate teams effectively is an added advantage.
• Strong knowledge and experience in using database and statistical software (SPSS, STATA, R script) and data visualization platforms.
• Strategic thinking skills.
• Analytical skills.
• Initiative and problem-solving skills.
• Interpersonal skills.

Skills

• Market Analysis
• Food Security Analysis
• Vulnerability and Risk Assessment
• Economic Analysis
• Early Warning Systems
• Humanitarian Programming
• Development Programs
• Data Analysis
• SPSS
• STATA
• R Scripting
• Data Visualization
• Strategic Thinking
• Team Supervision
• Analytical Skills
• Evidence-Based Decision Making
• Livelihoods Assessment

Languages

English