UNWFP - Beirut CO - Economic & Food Security Analyst SSA 9

WFP Lebanon encourages female candidates and people with disabilities to apply. 

WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status or disability.  

WFP is dedicated to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our recruitment process is inclusively crafted to welcome candidates of all backgrounds, celebrating diversity and ensuring a respectful environment for all. We aim for an accessible and fair recruitment journey. Should you need any reasonable accommodations or have accessibility concerns, please reach out to us confidentially at lebanon.recruitment@wfp.org (and copying in global.inclusion@wfp.org). Our DEI team is here to ensure your full participation in our recruitment process. 

Organizational Background: 

Assisting more than 115.5 million people in 120 + countries each year, the World Food Program (WFP) is the leading humanitarian organization saving lives and changing lives, delivering food assistance in emergencies, and helping individuals and communities find life-changing solutions to the multiple challenges they face in building better futures. 

In conflict situations, we bring relief to exhausted populations and use food assistance to build pathways to peace and stability – work for which WFP was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020. 

WFP Lebanon provides cash assistance to Syrian refugees and in-kind assistance to vulnerable Lebanese, while supporting the Government in strengthening social safety nets. WFP supports resilience-building activities, and its school meals programme improves nutrition and school attendance. Since October 2023, WFP has provided food and cash assistance to people affected by the conflict and has scaled up its food assistance including the distribution of daily meals following the recent escalation. 

To know more about WFP’s mission, please check the below video: 
https://www.facebook.com/WorldFoodProgramme/videos/10154930622760178/   

Job Purpose:  

The job holder is expected to assess through a deep dive analytical study how the Middle East conflict and potential continued closure/disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz could impact food security in Lebanon, and to identify the implications for WFP operations, program design, and strategic engagement. 

Key Responsibilities (not all-inclusive, nor exhaustive):  

Within the assigned unit and delegated authority and under the direct supervision of the Head of VAM, the Consultant will be responsible for the following duties:  

• Develop a Terms of Reference (ToR) for the deep‑dive analytical study, clearly defining objectives, analytical scope, key research questions, methodology, data sources, timelines, and expected outputs, in line with WFP global deep‑dive analytical frameworks and WFP Lebanon priorities. 
• Coordinate closely with WFP Headquarter (HQ) and the Regional Office (RO) throughout the design and implementation of the deep‑dive analysis to ensure alignment with global analytical frameworks, methodological standards, and regional priorities.  
• Lead the analytical design and scoping of the deep‑dive study, including refinement of assumptions, analytical framework, and key transmission channels relevant to the Lebanese context (energy, trade, markets, logistics, currency, and household‑level impacts).  
• Conduct market and price transmission analysis to assess how global and regional shocks (e.g. oil prices, shipping disruptions, input costs) affect fuel, transport, food prices, and minimum expenditure baskets in Lebanon.  
• Analyze household‑level food security, vulnerability, and poverty impacts using mVAM and IPC trends, market monitoring data, ensuring coherence with HQ and RO analytical guidance.  
• Develop scenario‑based short‑term and medium‑term outlooks reflecting varying levels of external shocks, inflation dynamics, and potential policy responses, in consultation with HQ and RO technical counterparts where relevant.  
• Translate analytical findings into clear implications for WFP programme design, transfer values, targeting, operational costs, delivery risks, contingency planning, and advocacy at country, regional, and global levels.  
• Prepare high‑quality analytical products, including draft and final reports, scenario notes, and management briefing materials, and support technical reviews and discussions with WFP Lebanon, RO, and HQ stakeholders as required. 
• Perform other related duties as required. 

STANDARD MINIMUM ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS: 

Education: Advanced University degree (i.e. Master's degree or higher) in Economics, Food Security, International Relations, Political Science, Statistics, Data Science, or other related field, or a First University degree (i.e. Bachelor’s degree) with additional years of related work experience and/or training/courses. 

Experience:  

• At least three (3) years of postgraduate professional experience (after completion of Advanced University degree) in a humanitarian context including experience in food security and market analysis functions, or, five (5) years or more after completion of First University degree.  

• Demonstrated proficiency in the use of several statistical tools (Python, SQL, R, Stata, SPSS etc.. ) and methods for food security analysis.  

• Able to interact with and analyze wide varieties of programme issues and statistical information.  

• Developed practical expertise in food security analysis and mapping by participating in multiple assessments, including design, data collection and analysis. 

Language: Fluency in oral and written communication in both English and Arabic.   

Required Skills and Knowledge: 

• Very advanced knowledge of STATA, SPSS, and Excel.  

• Strong interpersonal skills, courtesy, tact, and ability to effectively deal with people of different nationals. 

Desired Skills and Knowledge 

• Able to work systematically, use initiatives and good judgment and to communicate complex matters both oral and in writing. 

• Experience abroad highly desirable / high multicultural skills. 

• UN experience is preferred.