ABOUT WFP

The United Nations World Food Programme 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.

WFP’s Regional Bureau in Nairobi (RBN) covers eight operational countries in Eastern Africa: Burundi, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan and Uganda. Characterized by multiple shocks; nutrition and diets have been compromised.  The region has experienced pandemics, conflicts, fragility, food price volatility, persistent high levels of food insecurity and more. These multiple and overlapping risks impact and reverse gains in nutrition, learning and livelihoods. Consequently, malnutrition is everywhere, no longer seasonal. About 30-40%[1] children are malnourished and 50-70% households cannot afford a healthy diet.  Furthermore, in the region for every child in school, one is not.  Education, a future human capital investment for countries’ economies has been eroded. Also, the region is second highest impacted by HIV/TB globally. Recovery from vulnerability and risks is less promising in the short to medium term.

JOB PURPOSE:

Under the supervision of the Senior Regional Nutrition Advisor and collaborating cross -functionally.  The incumbent will be responsible to provide technical advice and situation analysis to ensure integrated nutrition programme responses. This position is also expected to deploy to humanitarian emergencies on short notice to support the countries in the regional bureau.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

The Nutrition Officer  will work under the  direct supervision of the Senior Regional Nutrition Advisor and will be responsible for the following:

• Take a lead role in coordinating the nutrition emergency response in support to the Regional Emergency Coordinator and to the RBN Emergency and Preparedness Unit.
• Represent WFP at regional, national and international meetings to contribute in technical discussions, exchange experiences, advocate for nutrition interventions and identify areas of potential collaboration.
• Build capacity of WFP staff, partners and national governments to prepare for and respond to nutrition problems.
• Provide technical advice and/or support to COs to ensure nutrition in emergencies interventions are aligned with WFP and global standards. Support CO engagements in cluster and/or working group meetings and discussions for vulnerability assessment, monitoring visits, missions, and other operational activities.

• Provide advice and/or support to Country Offices (COs) on the operationalization and integration of multi-dimensional approach to humanitarian access across their concepts of operations, access strategies, workplans and project/resource mobilization proposals.
• Monitor emerging humanitarian and food security trends and potential socio-economic and political instability to identify risks and strategies for preparedness and risk reduction before crisis occurs as basis for decision-making as well as requests for external support by the CO/RB/HQ.
• Proactively provide advice and support on mobilization of WFP resources and capabilities for an effective and sustainable emergency response.
• Provide inputs to the review of CSPs or budget revisions, ACRs, national protocols and SOPs, project proposals, guidance and policy documents to ensure technical integrity. This will include technical engagement in the CSP development process including collaboration with M&E to ensure appropriate nutrition indicators are selected and are in line with corporate standards.
• Develop and/or update key knowledge management tools on key components of nutrition in emergencies for better advocacy and programme implementation to form part of country offices’ capacity strengthening efforts.
• Perform other duties as required.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Advanced University degree in Public Health Nutrition, Nutrition, Food Technology, Medicine or other relevant fields, OR a first university degree in the same areas.

Experience: For holders of an advanced degree, 5 years of relevant experience with progressively increasing responsibilities in the field of nutrition, food technology , medicine or any other relevant field  OR 7 years of the same experience for holders of a first university degree.

Languages: Fluency in English

DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE

• Experience working with governments on developing nutrition policies and/or implementing a nutrition programme across sectors and on systemwide approaches.
• Experience conducting nutritional assessments, analysed data and written recommendations for programme.
• Experience actively supporting and have been engaged in medium to large scale emergency operations and has led or participated in strategy planning within a mid-size, moderately complex country, or equivalent environment.
• Has actively supported and been engaged in medium to large scale emergency operations and has led or participated in strategy planning within a mid-size, moderately complex country, or equivalent environment.
• At least five years of professional work experience in emergency context; proven capacity to support the design and management of integrated management of wasting and malnutrition prevention programs in different settings.
• Has gained substantial experience in humanitarian operational roles as (but not limited to) a programme or project officer, team leader, supply chain officer, head of field office or equivalent. Experience in developing and implementing CBT activities is highly desired.

HOW TO APPLY:

• To apply, please create a personal account and fill out the profile form with your personal information at http://www.wfp.org/careers/job-openings. If you are an internal applicant, apply through your E-Recruitment profile.
• In the application form, ensure filling the mandatory sections, attaching your updated CV, answering the pre-screening questions.
• Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis. All applicants will undergo a rigorous process that includes screening against job requirements, a technical test, and a panel interview.

We look for applicants with the highest integrity and professionalism who share our humanitarian values. We commit to promote diversity, gender parity and equality between men and women.

WFP strives to build a work environment that is safe and respectful, and free of sexual harassment and abuse of authority. We believe in open communication, and every individual at WFP is treated with respect regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, religious and political beliefs, etc.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

Closing date: 11th March 2024

• WFP does not charge any fees at any stage of its recruitment process.
• CANDIDATES ARE ADVISED TO ATTACH BOTH A COVER LETTER AND AN UPDATED CV