Senior Academic Advisor

Job Posting Organization:
The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, established to save lives in emergencies and to use food assistance as a means to build pathways to peace, stability, and prosperity for individuals recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impacts of climate change. WFP operates globally, with a mission centered around the principles of integrity, collaboration, commitment, humanity, and inclusion. The organization is dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce, ensuring that all employees are treated equally regardless of their background. WFP has been recognized for its efforts, being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020, and it emphasizes the importance of personal and professional development for its employees through various training and mentorship programs. WFP's commitment to humanitarian assistance is reflected in its operations across numerous countries, making it a pivotal player in global efforts to combat hunger and promote security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security.

Job Overview:
The Senior Academic Advisor position is a consultancy role within the Office of Evaluation at WFP, focusing on enhancing the organization's impact evaluation capabilities. The role is designed to support the implementation of the Evaluation Policy 2022, which aims to embed evaluation into WFP’s culture of accountability and learning. The advisor will provide senior academic and technical advice throughout the impact evaluation process, ensuring that evaluations are rigorous, relevant, and contribute to the evidence base for achieving global goals. The advisor will work closely with the Impact Evaluation Unit to review and develop key deliverables, including concept notes, surveys, and data collection protocols. This position is critical in addressing knowledge gaps related to the impact of humanitarian interventions, particularly in fragile contexts, and will involve collaboration with various stakeholders to disseminate findings effectively. The advisor will also engage in a multi-country impact evaluation project funded by the Gates Foundation, focusing on the effects of cash transfers on women's empowerment and health outcomes.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Academic Advisor will be responsible for providing senior academic and technical advice and quality assurance at all stages of the impact evaluation. This includes reviewing the impact evaluation concept notes, surveys, and data collection procedures, as well as providing methodological guidance and analytical advice. The advisor will also support the dissemination of impact evaluation findings through policy and academic channels, promoting collaboration with WFP and engaging with various stakeholders. Specific duties include reviewing applications for ethical clearance, conducting high-frequency data quality checks, and co-leading presentations of midline results. The advisor will ensure that all deliverables meet the highest academic standards and contribute to the overall goals of the evaluation project.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong academic background in applied research and social sciences, with a PhD in a relevant field such as economics, international development, public health, or public policy. A minimum of 12 years of experience in managing or conducting research studies and impact evaluations in diverse humanitarian or development contexts is required, with at least 8 years post-PhD. Demonstrated research experience on women's empowerment, gender dynamics, and maternal and child health outcomes is essential, along with a strong track record of published research. Candidates should also have extensive knowledge of qualitative and quantitative evaluation methods, as well as experience in development and humanitarian settings.

Educational Background:
The position requires a PhD level degree in a relevant field, such as economics, international development, public health, public policy, or social sciences. This advanced educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of impact evaluations and the methodologies involved in conducting rigorous research in humanitarian contexts.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least 12 years of experience in managing and conducting research studies and impact evaluations, with a significant portion of this experience (8 years) occurring after obtaining their PhD. This experience should encompass diverse humanitarian and development contexts, with a focus on women's empowerment and health outcomes. A strong publication record in relevant research areas is also necessary to demonstrate expertise and credibility in the field.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, and candidates should possess a Level B proficiency in another UN language, such as French or Spanish. This bilingual capability is important for effective communication and collaboration within the diverse international environment of WFP.

Additional Notes:
The position is a daily consultancy role with a duration of between 25 to 40 days over an 11-month period. The contract may be renewed based on satisfactory performance, operational needs, and funding availability. The role is remote-based, allowing for flexibility in work arrangements. WFP emphasizes its commitment to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. Additionally, all applications must be submitted through WFP's online recruitment system, and candidates are advised to ensure their profiles are complete and accurate.