International Consultant Programme Policy Officer (Data Scientist, Vulnerability Analysis and Mapping )
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 by using food assistance. WFP works in emergencies and supports recovery from conflict, disasters, and extreme weather. The organization values diversity, inclusion, and a skilled, high-performing workforce committed to its mission.
Job Purpose
The International Consultant Programme Policy Officer (Data Scientist, Vulnerability Analysis and Mapping) will significantly strengthen WFP's evidence agenda by developing and implementing innovative data analysis and artificial intelligence models. This role is crucial for enhancing the efficiency and precision of Vulnerability Analysis and Mapping (VAM) initiatives, particularly in food security and vulnerability assessments. The consultant will be responsible for designing, calibrating, and operationalizing probability models for road disruption and acute malnutrition, integrating automated models into WFP's geospatial visualization platform (AF Pulse), and developing geographical targeting criteria for various interventions. The objective is to improve early warning systems, ensure equitable resource allocation, and provide data-driven recommendations for programme design and implementation, ultimately contributing to more effective humanitarian assistance.
Responsibilities
The Data Scientist position at the World Food Programme (WFP) involves strengthening the organization's evidence agenda through innovative data analysis and the development of artificial intelligence models focused on food security and vulnerability. Key responsibilities include supporting the maintenance and updates of the VAME geospatial visualization platform (AF Pulse), which integrates various data streams. The role requires designing, calibrating, and operationalizing probability models to predict road disruptions near conflict events and to estimate acute malnutrition levels. Integration of automated models into AF Pulse for real-time disaster impact analysis is also a core duty. Furthermore, the Data Scientist will propose roadmaps for model replication and scaling, including migration to cloud environments and the creation of open-source toolkits. Developing and refining geographical targeting criteria and models for emergency assistance, resilience, livelihoods, and social protection interventions is crucial for efficient and equitable resource allocation. The position also entails coordinating and providing technical analysis to improve early warning systems and performing other related tasks as needed. The role demands strong analytical, modeling, and data visualization skills, with an emphasis on applying these to humanitarian challenges.
Work Experience
Requires a minimum of 3 years of experience in research, data analysis, and modeling. This includes experience with AI model training, conducting needs assessments, and performing data and geo-spatial visualization.
Skills
Data analysis, AI model training, Geospatial visualization, SQL databases, Tableau, Power BI, Report writing, Infographic creation, Client orientation, Communication, Presentation skills, Training facilitation, Research, Needs assessment, Early warning systems, Food security analysis, Vulnerability analysis, Programme design, Targeting criteria development, Emergency assistance, Resilience interventions, Livelihoods interventions, Social protection interventions