International Consultant: Unified Database Project Manager

Organizational Context

The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world's largest humanitarian organization, dedicated to saving lives and building a pathway to peace and prosperity. WFP operates in complex and often challenging environments, striving to provide effective humanitarian assistance to millions globally. The organization values diversity, inclusion, and professional development, fostering a high-performing and collaborative workforce.

Job Purpose

The International Consultant: Unified Database Project Manager will lead the end-to-end development and operationalization of a multi-agency data repository in Afghanistan. This critical system aims to consolidate, clean, and de-duplicate identity and assistance data from various UN agencies and NGOs, addressing the current limitations in coordination and targeting efficiency. The Project Manager will oversee a multidisciplinary team, manage the full project lifecycle from conceptualization to deployment, and ensure alignment with WFP's data protection standards. This role involves extensive coordination with internal WFP teams and external partners, including UN agencies, NGOs, and donors, to establish robust data sharing agreements and governance frameworks. The objective is to create a unified database that improves food security and nutrition outcomes by enabling better targeting and reducing duplication of efforts.

Responsibilities

The Project Manager will lead the end-to-end development and operationalization of a Unified Database in Afghanistan, a multi-agency data repository designed to consolidate, clean, and de-duplicate beneficiary identity data from various UN agencies and NGOs. This role involves managing a multidisciplinary project team, coordinating with internal WFP departments and global headquarters, and serving as the primary liaison with external partners, including UN agencies, NGOs, and donors. Key responsibilities include overseeing the full project lifecycle from conceptualization to deployment, ensuring project milestones are met using structured methodologies, and managing system requirements, workflows, and technical documentation. The Project Manager will also provide oversight for data ingestion, cleaning, and deduplication processes, ensuring alignment with WFP’s data protection and security standards. Furthermore, they will coordinate with technical teams on architecture and integration, support the design and testing of biometric and biographical deduplication tools, and guide the development of user interfaces for partner agencies. External engagement includes coordinating with contributing agencies, NGOs, and donors on system design and governance, supporting data sharing agreements, and representing WFP in inter-agency forums. The role also encompasses resource management, including project budgets and procurement, and capacity strengthening through training and mentorship.

Work Experience

Requires at least 7 years of progressive experience in project management, software development oversight, or digital systems implementation. Demonstrated experience leading new software solutions or large-scale data systems development is preferred. Experience with identity management systems, digital registries, biometric tools, or beneficiary information systems is essential. Prior UN experience in complex or fragile settings, proven coordination of multi-stakeholder projects (technical, operational, policy teams), and experience managing multidisciplinary teams under tight deadlines are also required.

Skills

Project Management, Software Development Oversight, Digital Systems Implementation, Identity Management Systems, Data Systems, Biometric Tools, Beneficiary Information Systems, Stakeholder Coordination, Team Leadership, Data Governance, Data Privacy, Data Protection, Technical Documentation, Analytical Skills, Problem-Solving, Relationship Building, Humanitarian Operations, Social Protection Systems

Explore related opportunities