Job Title: VAM Officer – Data Science, RAM Ecosystem, Analytics and Geospatial Analysis
Organisation: World Food Programme
Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda
About Organisation:
World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian agency, fighting hunger worldwide. The mission of WFP is to help the world achieve Zero Hunger in our lifetimes. Every day, WFP works worldwide to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry and that the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly women and children, can access the nutritious food they need. In emergencies, WFP gets food to where it is needed, saving the lives of victims of war, civil conflict and natural disasters. After an emergency, WFP uses food to United help communities rebuild their lives. On average, WFP reaches more than 80 million people with food assistance in 80 countries each year. The organization has the global footprint, deep field presence and local knowledge and relationships necessary to provide access to food and contribute to lasting solutions, especially in many of the world’s most remote and fragile areas.
Job Summary: The incumbent will act as the lead analyst and focal point for AI-driven food security forecasting, and RAM Ecosystem and geospatial analysis. The position operates with a high degree of independence under the strategic direction of the Head of RAM, coordinates with the VAM Team Lead, M&E Team and works closely with the Head of Programme. The position supervises two Data Engineer / Data Analysts and acts as the Team Lead for RAM Ecosystems, Analytics and Geospatial Analysis.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
Component A — Karamoja Sentinel Project Lead (70% FTE)
- Lead the technical execution of the AI/ML food security forecasting pipeline, including development and validation of the CNN+LSTM and XGBoost ensemble model
- Develop and integrate the NLP module (BERT/GPT-4o mini) for processing qualitative food security narratives and combining outputs with quantitative model results.
- Manage multi-sensor satellite data integration (NDVI, SPI, CHIRPS) and ensure data pipeline quality, documentation and version control.
- Design and deploy the Tableau dashboard with REST API for automated data ingestion and visualization of forecasting outputs.
- Maintain and extend data-sharing agreements and technical partnerships with UBOS, OPM, MAAIF and the Meteorology Department
- Coordinate HQ VAM Data Scientist peer review (M7–M8) as foreseen in the approved workplan; respond to review comments and release Model v2.0 by M10
- Prepare and submit project reporting and milestone updates to HQ VAM (BPU) per the agreed workplan schedule (M3 report, M5 report, Gate 2 and Gate 3 deliverables)
- Lead government capacity building on system use and deliver the full handover package (code repository, API documentation, user manuals, lessons learned) by December 2026
Component B — Team Lead RAM Ecosystems and Analytics (30% FTE)
- Coordinate the RAM Ecosystems team workplan by prioritizing deliverables and managing requests from CO programme units (PSU, M&E, CEFM, CFM, Supply Chain).
- Ensure timely delivery of high-quality analytical outputs, including the digitalization of quantitative and qualitative data collection tools, in line with corporate standards and data protection requirements.
- Oversee the maintenance, development and continuous update of existing Tableau dashboards, ensuring data accuracy, consistency, and usability across all Strategic Objectives and cross-cutting functions.
- Ensure the timely production and quality assurance of thematic and operational maps to support programme delivery, field operations, and assessments, using ArcGIS Online and Tableau.
- Maintain and ensure compliance with corporate platforms and data management systems, including HungerMap, DataLib, MoDa, Scope, Acamis, ImpactHub, Power Platform tools, and the CO Spatial Data Infrastructure, with attention to data integrity and privacy standards.
- Provide direct supervision, mentorship, and technical guidance to Data Analysts, ensuring adherence to best practices in data analysis, visualization, tool development, and digitalization processes.
- Represent the RAM Ecosystems unit in CO coordination meetings and respond promptly to requests from CO RAM and Programme units related to data analysis, digitalization, dashboards, and information management.
- Lead and coordinate RAM Ecosystems & Analytics data governance processes, acting as the focal point for Privacy Impact Assessments (PIAs), data protection, and responsible data management in line with WFP corporate frameworks, policies, and data protection principles.
- Ensure that data collection, processing, sharing, and analytics activities comply with WFP standards on confidentiality, integrity, privacy, and secure handling of sensitive information.
- Support the implementation of WFP’s data governance architecture by promoting data stewardship, interoperability, data quality, and risk-informed data sharing practices across RAM systems and analytical products.
- Provide technical guidance on privacy-by-design approaches, data protection risk mitigation, and governance mechanisms to strengthen compliance and accountability within humanitarian data ecosystems, including the continuous enhancement and institutionalization of SOPs, workflows, and operational guidance documents.
- Perform any other duties as required
Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
Education:
- Advanced University degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Data Science, Computer Science, Applied Statistics, Information Management or a quantitative field relevant to food security analysis.
- Equivalent: A first degree with at least 7 additional years of relevant experience may be considered.
Experience:
- Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience in Data Science, Information Management or analytics in a humanitarian or development context, of which at least 3 years in operational food security, VAM or climate risk analysis.
Data Science and AI/ML:
- Demonstrated proficiency in Python (Pandas, NumPy, scikit-learn, PyTorch or TensorFlow).
- Experience building AI/ML pipelines including ensemble models (CNN, LSTM, XGBoost).
- Working experience with NLP (BERT or equivalent transformer models).
- Database proficiency in SQL; familiarity with ETL pipelines and data engineering workflows.
Data Visualization and Reporting:
- Production-grade dashboarding in Tableau including REST API integration and automated refresh.
- Working knowledge of Power BI. Experience producing technical reports and documentation for operational and management audiences.
GIS and Mapping:
- Working knowledge of ArcGIS Online (Operational Dashboards, web maps, web applications).
- Ability to produce thematic and operational maps for programme and field support.
- Familiarity with WFP corporate platforms including HungerMap, PRISM and GeoNode is an asset.
WFP Systems and Context:
- Working knowledge of WFP corporate data systems (SCOPE, KoBo/MoDA, SugarCRM, DataLib) and data protection standards (DPIA, WFP Guide for Personal Data Protection and Privacy).
- WFP country office experience is desirable.
Languages:
- Fluency in oral and written English is required. Working knowledge of a second UN language is desirable.
How to Apply:
All suitably qualified and Interested applicants should apply online at the link below.
NB: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
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Level of Education: postgraduate degree
Work Hours: 8
Experience in Months: 60