Impact Evaluation Coordinator (Anticipatory Action)

Job Posting Organization:
The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, dedicated to saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build pathways to peace, stability, and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impacts of climate change. Established in 1961, WFP operates in over 80 countries, employing thousands of staff members who are committed to the mission of alleviating hunger and improving nutrition. WFP's vision emphasizes a diverse, skilled, and high-performing workforce that operates in an inclusive environment, living by the values of Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion. The organization has received numerous accolades, including the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020, recognizing its efforts in combating hunger and promoting peace. WFP is committed to fostering a workplace that embraces diversity and equal opportunity, encouraging qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply.

Job Overview:
The Impact Evaluation Coordinator (Anticipatory Action) will play a crucial role in supporting the operationalization of the joint evaluation agenda between WFP and OCHA. This position is pivotal in assessing the effectiveness of humanitarian programming through rigorous impact evaluations, which are essential for evidence-based decision-making. The coordinator will serve as the primary liaison between WFP and OCHA, engaging with stakeholders and Country Offices to design and implement impact evaluations. The role requires a strong understanding of anticipatory action programming, as well as the ability to lead and manage evaluations that align with WFP's strategic priorities. The coordinator will oversee the entire evaluation process, from design to implementation, ensuring that evaluations are conducted in a manner that meets the highest standards of quality and rigor. This position offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to the development of impactful humanitarian strategies and policies.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The main accountabilities and responsibilities of the Impact Evaluation Coordinator include:

• Coordinating the WFP/OCHA partnership by acting as the liaison between the two organizations' impact evaluation units, engaging with country teams and other UN agencies to assess opportunities for impact evaluations, and holding regular meetings with the WFP Anticipatory Action team to identify priority countries.
• Developing impact evaluation designs for priority countries in collaboration with country and global headquarters teams, leading day-to-day engagement with stakeholders, and preparing progress updates and donor reports.
• Leading the implementation of impact evaluations, including Randomized Control Trials (RCTs), managing the procurement of Institutional Review Board (IRB) approvals, and supporting the design and programming of household survey questionnaires.
• Overseeing data collection activities, ensuring alignment with evaluation designs, and monitoring program implementation to ensure adherence to protocols.
• Co-authoring briefs, reports, and publications related to evaluations, and leading dissemination workshops to share findings and insights.
• Documenting lessons learned and best practices from the partnership and contributing to resource mobilization efforts.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a doctoral degree in relevant academic disciplines such as economics, political science, or development studies. Candidates must have a minimum of 6 years of professional experience in delivering and ensuring the quality of impact evaluations, with a preference for those with exposure to climate/resilience evaluations. Experience managing RCTs in the field, particularly in hardship duty stations, is considered an asset. Familiarity with UN and multilateral agencies, as well as experience in multi-agency evaluations, is also advantageous. Candidates should possess excellent research skills, solid knowledge of quantitative methods, and proficiency in statistical software packages such as Stata, R, or SPSS. Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively in diverse teams are essential, along with strong organizational and planning skills to manage multi-partner workplans.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold a doctoral degree in a relevant field, such as economics, political science, or development studies. This advanced educational background is critical for understanding the complexities of impact evaluations and the methodologies used in assessing program effectiveness.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 6 years of professional experience in impact evaluations, with a strong emphasis on managing RCTs and working in challenging environments. Experience with UN agencies and multi-agency evaluations is highly desirable, as it demonstrates the ability to navigate complex organizational structures and collaborate effectively with various stakeholders.

Languages:
Fluency in English (level C) is mandatory, while proficiency in French (level B) is considered a valuable asset. Strong communication skills in both languages will facilitate effective engagement with diverse stakeholders and enhance the dissemination of evaluation findings.

Additional Notes:
This position is a CSLT Regular contract at Level 2, with a duration of 6 months from August 2026 to January 2027, with the possibility of extension based on funding availability. The role is based in Nairobi, Kenya, and offers an attractive compensation package. WFP is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. All applications must be submitted through the online recruiting system, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further stages of the recruitment process. WFP emphasizes a commitment to diversity and inclusion, ensuring a work environment free from discrimination and harassment.