Consultancy: Program Policy Officer

• Job Title: Consultancy: Program Policy Officer (Baseline)

The International Consultant for Establishing a Baseline will be required to lead the development of a robust, evidence-based framework for baseline data collection. This will include measuring socio-economic and environmental conditions in the target districts, which will serve as the reference point for evaluating the project's impacts throughout its implementation.

The Consultant shall report to the Head of WFP Provincial Office, Peshawar and work closely with the Monitoring & Evaluation Team of WFP Pakistan.

Key Roles and Responsibilities
1. Design and employ a robust framework and methodology using quantitative and qualitative tools, such as 1) Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) engaging community members, including women and marginalized groups, to gather qualitative insights on local vulnerabilities, climate resilience practices, and needs; 2) Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with key stakeholders such as government officials, community leaders, and technical experts to collect detailed, context-specific information; 3) if needed, conduct structured Household Surveys to gather quantitative data on socio-economic vulnerabilities, access to water resources, and other critical project indicators.
2. Analyze collected data using appropriate statistical and thematic analysis methods to establish baseline values for all key indicators, ensuring alignment with the project's logframe and reporting requirements.
3. Identify and utilize primary and secondary data sources to comprehensively assess socio-economic conditions, climate risks, disaster management capacities, and water management practices in Buner and Shangla districts.
4. Lead consultations with Provincial Government Departments, project stakeholders, and target communities to ensure the baseline aligns with project goals and reflects local priorities.
5. Evaluate existing capacities, gaps, and needs in areas such as early warning systems, climate-resilient livelihoods, and knowledge management to identify potential opportunities for project interventions.
6. Supervise and guide data collection teams ensuring high-quality data collection, gender-sensitive, inclusive, and meets project standards for accuracy and completeness.
7. Organize, lead and facilitate workshops to validate baseline findings with key stakeholders, integrating their feedback and providing further insights into the findings.

8. Provide actionable recommendations based on baseline findings to enhance project design, implementation, and monitoring, ensuring the project's success in achieving its goals.
9. Deliver a comprehensive baseline report, explaining detailed methodology, key findings, disaggregated data, and practical insights to guide project implementation and future monitoring activities.
10. Train national staff and relevant government personnel in data collection and baseline methodologies to strengthen long-term monitoring, evaluation, and data management capacities within the project.

Key Deliverables
1. A report on the detailed methodology, data collection methodology, and a work plan (to be submitted within 10 days of contract initiation).
2. Draft baseline report/summary of initial findings, including key data points and emerging trends (to be submitted within 25 days of contract initiation)
3. Final detailed baseline report incorporating stakeholder feedback and also including socio-economic and environmental profiles; baseline values for project indicators; practical recommendations to refine project implementation and enhance resilience-building efforts.

Education
Advanced University degree in Climate Change, Environmental Science, Development Studies, or a related field OR first level university degree with additional 2 years of related work experience.

Experience
Minimum 03 years of professional / managerial experience in conducting baseline studies for climate resilience, disaster risk reduction, or adaptation projects and a strong knowledge of the Green Climate Fund framework and WFP's resilience programming.

Knowledge and expertise

• Proven expertise in designing and implementing mixed-methods research, including statistical data analysis and reporting for climate resilience, disaster risk reduction, or adaptation projects, a strong knowledge of the Green Climate Fund framework and WFP's resilience programming will be an added value.

• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills

• Experience working in developing countries, with a focus on building local capacity for disaster risk reduction.

• Strong communication skills with the ability to engage effectively with government agencies, local communities, and international partners.

Language

• Excellent written and spoken English (level C)