The Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) Early Warning Team (EWT) seeks to engage a part-time food security analyst consultant for an estimated level of effort of up to 70 days over the period of performance. The anticipated period of performance for this consultancy runs from June - October 14, 2023, with the possibility of extension. Either fluency in written and spoken English with proficiency in Spanish OR fluency in written and spoken Spanish with proficiency in English is required. While the preference is for the food security analyst consultant to be based in Washington D.C., applicants who reside in the US or in countries where FEWS NET operates outside of the U.S. are eligible to apply. FEWS NET is an integrated set of activities funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and is intended to provide timely, accurate, evidence-based, and transparent food security early warning information and analysis. The FEWS NET EWT maintains offices in a number of countries in Africa, Central America, Central Asia, and the Caribbean.
Responsibilities include:
- Technically and editorially contribute to, review, revise, and post monthly country reports to the website, including:
- May 2023: Key Message Update covering May-September 2023
- June 2023: Food Security Outlook/Remote Monitoring Update covering June 2023-January 2024
- July 2023: Key Message Update covering July 2023-January 2023
- August 2023: Food Security Outlook/ Remote Monitoring Update covering August 2023-January 2024)
- September 2023: Key Message Update covering September 2023-January 2024
- October 2023: Food Security Outlook/ Remote Monitoring covering October 2023-May 2023
- Contributing to the production of the monthly Food Assistance Outlook Brief, delivered to USAID on the second Tuesday of each month, including a technical review of estimates of the population in need of food assistance, drafting a description of the needs estimates, and contributing notes for the briefing
- Contributing to the production of the 12-Month Outlook and Update, anticipated between July and October 2023, including a technical review of estimates of the population in need of food assistance, drafting a description of the needs estimates, and contributing notes for the briefing
- Contributing to the development of briefing materials, as needed
- Conduct desk research to support ad hoc decision support requests from USAID/Washington and FEWS NET EWT staff; these requests come from USAID on an ad hoc basis and the scope will depend on the information request
Qualifications:
- Either fluency in written and spoken English with proficiency in Spanish OR fluency in written and spoken Spanish with proficiency in English is required
- Bachelor’s degree in a discipline relevant to the work of FEWS NET, such as economics, agricultural economics, agronomy, nutrition, climatology, anthropology, or social geography is required; advanced university degree (Master’s degree or higher) is preferred
- At least two years of relevant experience (with PhD), four years of relevant experience (with Master’s degree), or six years of relevant experience (with Bachelor’s degree) is required. Relevant experience includes working on food security information systems, food security analysis, early warning, or other related fields; experience working with UN agencies and/or NGOs is desirable
- Previous experience living and working in a region or country in which FEWS NET project staff work is preferred
- Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to work well with field-based, local staff via telephone and e-mail are required
- Excellent analytical, writing, editing, and presentation skills are required
- Excellent computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft office suite (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) are required
- Experience using large datasets to analyze trends through a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods is desirable
- Familiarity with ESRI ArcGIS mapping software is desirable
- Household-level food security analysis skills are desirable