Monitoring & Evaluation Expert – (Biometrics)

Job Title: Monitoring & Evaluation Expert – (Biometrics)
Post Type/Grade: SSA (NOA Equivalent)
Duty Stations: Nairobi
Length of Contract: Four Months
Date of issue: 8th March 2013
Deadline for application: 15th March 2013

Background of the Position:
WFP and UNHCR have a strategy on implementing a new Food Collection Procedure (FCP) for the twice-monthly general food distributions (GFD) in the Dadaab and Kakuma refugee camps. The new procedures will utilize biometric (fingerprint) ID checks for GFD beneficiaries to ensure that only registered refugees residing in the camps collect food rations, promoting efficient and accountable use of donor resources. The roll out of the new procedures will be carried out in phases, the initial phase starting in early 2013 to develop and test the system in two out of six food distribution points -- one in Kakuma and one in Dadaab. It is expected that the new FCP will directly reduce the amount of food aid that is resold in the camps and several questions have been raised around the impact that this may have on the food security status of refugees, dynamics between refugee and host communities, and food prices in local and neighbouring markets.
In preparation for launch of the procedures, a comprehensive monitoring plan to identify and measure key indicators will be designed so that WFP can track and understand the potential direct and secondary effects. Given the urgency and complexity of the monitoring requirements for the project, WFP is seeking a consultant to design and implement an M&E strategy. The consultant will report directly to the Head of Monitoring and Evaluation and work in close coordination with the VAM and Innovations units, the WFP sub-offices in Kakuma and Dadaab, and the joint WFP/UNHCR technical working group comprised of staff from the areas of protection, food programme, security, IT and public information.

Objectives and key areas for consideration
 The M&E consultant will be responsible for leading the development and implementation of a plan to monitoring the performance of the new FCP and measure its potential direct and secondary effects.
 The consultant will discuss with WFP and UNHCR staff in Dadaab and Nairobi all issues around food security, protection and markets that the new FCP may impact, either positively or negatively, so that he/she defines a monitoring framework that provides objective information. Some of the key areas of consideration around the potential secondary effects resulting from the new procedures are:

o Food security and livelihoods of refugees - WFP has been providing food to refugees in the Dadaab and Kakuma camps for more than 20 years using a ration card system. Under this system as long as a person presents a ration card at the food distribution point, he/she is able to collect food. This could mean that WFP distributes more food than required, generating a surplus of food aid in the camps. Selling of food represents one of the main sources of income for refugees to buy other non-food items and services. With a likely reduction in the income of some refugees, there are a number of secondary effects related to the livelihoods of refugees that the monitoring system should help understand.

o Refugee-host communities’ relationship and protection. Income from food sales enables refugees to buy goods and services from their respective host communities, which has contributed to a relatively peaceful and harmonious relationship between refugees and locals. Any changes in the capacity of refugees to financially and commercially interact with the host community may bring a new order in the social dynamics that need to be understood and quantified, particularly if it affects any protection issues.

o Food prices and market dynamics. A number of market studies indicate that the volumes of food aid that are introduced into the value chain of food commodities heavily influence food prices not only in the camp’s adjacent areas, but in the larger pastoral region covering the north east of the country. The new procedures will likely reduce the volume of food aid entering the regional food markets and this effect needs to be understood and monitored.

o Impact on coping mechanisms of refugees. Some of the food collected for absent card owners is transported to nearby towns such as Kitale, Eldoret, Garissa or Lokichogio. In some cases, the recipients of that food are refugees living outside the camps, engaged in life skills (attending colleges, etc.) and may be actually consuming the food rations. What impact, if any, will this have on the affected households? Will they return to the camps thus interrupting their livelihood-enhancing activities? Will they look for other means of livelihood in their current place of residence?

o It is expected that the Officer will define a framework for estimating these secondary effects and that a set of indicators are measured prior to the implementation of the new procedures. This will enable establishing baseline values that can be compared over time as indicators are tracked during the roll-out of the project.


The Officer will carry out the following activities:
 Develop a logical framework of the project to ensure that all processes and output/outcome objectives and indicators are adequately formulated
 Design a monitoring plan that lays out detailed data management protocols including the necessary analytical framework and reporting
 Review all the monitoring tools that are currently under use in the camps and if necessary design new data collection protocols and tools to ensure that all information for process and output/outcome indicators is collected
 Formulate requirements for development of a management information system to facilitate collection, cleaning & processing of data
 Supervise development of a management information system to facilitate collection, cleaning and processing of data
 Support the roll out of the data collection plan to the field including training M&E staff from WFP and partners.
 Supervise collection of baseline data and support analysis and reporting.
 Produce a baseline report and power point presentation for the project.
Outputs
 Logical framework of the project.
 Monitoring plan of the project.
 Requirements for the management information system of the project.
 Baseline report from the results of data collection and analysis.
 Power point presentation for the project.

Qualifications and Experience:
 University degree in one or more of the following fields: Project management, M&E, Research/statistics or other relevant field, supplemented with experience or additional training in Monitoring & Evaluation
 At least two years of practical experience in designing, implementing and continuously improving M&E systems, impact evaluations/evaluation studies/baseline studies and information analysis.
 Demonstrated knowledge in advanced and contemporary approaches to monitoring in complex contexts
 Previous experience conducting independent high-level analytical work. Experience in the pastoral areas settings and/or in refugee settings will be an added advantage. Evidence from such work (reports, presentations etc) may be presented as part of application
 Solid demonstrated experience in at least two of the following areas: food security/livelihoods, refugee protection, markets and trade in arid areas

Interested candidates meeting the above qualifications are required to submit a covering letter quoting Vacancy Announcement No. WFP/10/13 with their updated Curriculum Vitae, copies of certificates and name, title and e-mail address of three referees. Candidates should also complete a Personal History form (P.11) available on the following link – http://www.unon.org/docs/P11.doc. All documents should be sent in an envelope which must be marked:

CONFIDENTIAL WFP/10/13 and sent to:- Human Resources Officer
World Food Programme
P.O. Box 44482 - 00100
NAIROBI
WFP is an equal opportunity employer and does not charge any fee at whichever stage of the recruitment process.