Research, Assessment and Monitoring (ram) Officer - SC8 - Baghdad, Iraq

Organizational Context

WFP Iraq operates in a complex environment of conflict, displacement, and climate challenges. Its Country Strategic Plan (CSP) shifts from emergency aid to resilience and sustainable development, supporting the Government in strengthening social protection, food security, and nutrition systems. The Research, Assessment, and Monitoring (RAM) unit is crucial, providing timely, credible data to guide WFP’s operations, supporting programme design, targeting, and performance monitoring.

Job Purpose

The Research, Assessment, and Monitoring (RAM) Officer will lead evidence generation for WFP Iraq's Country Strategic Plan (CSP), encompassing food assistance, resilience, nutrition, school feeding, social protection, and capacity strengthening. This role ensures operations are driven by high-quality, relevant data from robust assessments, surveys, and analysis. The Officer's core purpose is to inform strategic decisions, support resource mobilization, and enhance accountability across WFP's interventions. They will provide technical leadership in designing and implementing assessments, ensuring effective data collection, validation, and utilization, coordinating with field offices and government partners. A key objective involves providing advanced analytical support for monitoring activities, including post-distribution monitoring and baseline surveys, aligning with WFP standards. Furthermore, the Officer will utilize advanced statistical and geospatial tools for vulnerability and risk analyses, leading data visualization to improve targeting and impact tracking. This role also strengthens national capacities by collaborating with government counterparts to build sustainable monitoring frameworks and promote evidence-based programming, contributing to an integrated national monitoring system for adaptive social protection and enhanced community resilience.

Responsibilities

The Research, Assessment and Monitoring (RAM) Officer leads evidence generation for WFP Iraq’s programmes, ensuring operations are data-driven. Responsibilities include designing and implementing assessments, targeting, and thematic studies, ensuring effective data collection, validation, and use through coordination with field offices, government, and partners. A core duty is to compile, quality-assure, and disseminate assessment results promptly to inform programme management, strategic decision-making, donor reporting, and advocacy. The role provides technical analytical support for Post-Distribution Monitoring (PDM), baseline, and follow-up surveys, aligning with WFP standards and national priorities. The Officer refines methodologies for integrated climate and resilience analysis, covering vulnerability, market, and risk assessments. Advanced statistical and geospatial tools will be used to evaluate environmental degradation, livelihood vulnerabilities, and socio-economic impacts of shocks, informing adaptive programming and evidence-based targeting. Key responsibilities also involve leading geospatial mapping and data visualization to improve targeting accuracy and track impact. The Officer supports developing social protection targeting methodologies, ensuring interventions reach the most vulnerable populations aligned with national systems. A significant aspect is strengthening national and subnational capacities by collaborating with government counterparts to build sustainable monitoring frameworks, promote data ownership, and enhance evidence-based decision-making. Finally, the role supports an integrated national monitoring system for real-time data, predictive analytics, and shock-responsive programming, fostering adaptive social protection and community resilience.

Work Experience

Requires a total of 5 years of relevant experience, including at least 1 year of professional supervisory experience. Experience in designing assessments and surveys, statistical analysis, econometrics, or data management/visualization is essential. Prior experience within a UN agency or a reputable analytical institution is preferred. Familiarity with social services, food security, nutrition, or WFP operations is a plus.

Skills

Data Analysis, Statistical Modeling, Geospatial Analysis, Survey Design, Data Visualization, Quantitative Research, Qualitative Research, Monitoring and Evaluation, Needs Assessments, Food Security Analysis, Market Analysis, Climate Resilience, Social Protection, Capacity Building, Report Writing, Project Management, Stakeholder Coordination, Problem-Solving, Strategic Thinking, Communication Skills

Explore related opportunities