Nutrition Policy Officer, World Food Programme, Rome, Italy

Nutrition Policy Officer

Posted on: April 29, 2013
Application deadline: May 19, 2013
Posted by: World Food Programme

DESCRIPTION

The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world's largest humanitarian agency, fighting hunger worldwide. WFP is committed to ensuring children, women and other vulnerable groups have access to appropriate nutrition. We are currently seeking to fill the position of Nutrition Policy Officer P3, based at our Headquarters in Rome, Italy.

The Nutrition Policy Officer will report to the Head of Nutrition and HIV Unit within the Programme, Policy and Innovation Division and be responsible for the following key duties:

• Provide support for the formulation and reporting on policy for nutrition and HIV/TB;
• Ensure WFP's HIV & TB Policy and Nutrition Policy are implemented appropriately in different contexts through advising and supporting Regional Bureaux and Country Offices;
• Support the development and regular updating of nutrition programme guidance for use by Country Offices, Regional Bureaux, and Headquarters' Divisions, and ensure knowledge transfer between regions in prioritized thematic areas, in coordination with other knowledge sharing efforts;
• Provide normative and technical review of nutrition components of project documents in the Policy Review Committee, and provide policy and technical guidance as needed to improve the effectiveness of WFP activities;
• Identify, research, and analyse policy issues, suggest strategies, and assist in the preparation of policy papers related to the operations of nutrition in particular, and to food assistance and food security in general;
• Consolidate information from Regional Bureaux and provide inputs on WFP Nutrition Programming for the Annual Performance Report;
• Contribute to the enhancement of WFP's leadership status in different forums on subjects related to nutrition; participate in nutrition related subgroups and task forces;
• Support operations research and evidence building;
• Represent WFP in selected international meetings on nutrition, food security, emergency humanitarian relief and development related issues;
• Assist with strengthening the capacity for nutrition within WFP;
• Perform other related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

Education:

• University degree, preferably at the advanced level, in Nutrition, International Health & Nutrition, Public Health & Nutrition Policy and Management, Family Health & Nutrition, Food Security, Food Technology or other related fields.

Experience:

• At least five years (two of which international) of postgraduate progressively responsible professional experience in nutrition, public health, international development, emergency assistance and/or operational aspects of national, bilateral or multilateral food assistance, with a strong preference to work in humanitarian and development nutrition programmes;
• Experience in planning and/or managing nutrition programmes including treatment as well as prevention and micronutrient programmes;
• Experience with programming of food assistance in emergency, protracted relief and recovery and/or development contexts;
• Experience with policy and advocacy at different levels (international, national, subnational);
• Experience with survey methodologies, nutrition assessment, operation research and relevant data analysis;
• Food security and multi-sector programme knowledge and experience are desirable.

Technical Skills & Knowledge:

• Familiar with the latest developments/issues in nutrition, particularly in relation to CMAM, micronutrients, prevention of stunting, food security and nutrition;
• Knowledge of conducting research and ability to collaborate with researchers so as to add to the evidence base which will facilitate WFP's work;
• Understanding of roles/responsibilities of different UN agencies with respect to nutrition;
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook) and nutrition/ public health software (i.e. EPI INFO, STATA or SPSS).

Competencies:

• Excellent written and oral communications and presentation skills;
• Strong analytical and negotiation skills;
• Resourcefulness, initiative, maturity of judgement and tact;
• Ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor own work plan and those under supervision;
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain effective work relationships with counterparts and staff within the office, host population, donors, NGOs and other UN agencies;
• Ability to work in a team, and establish effective working relations with persons of different national and cultural backgrounds.

Language:

• Working knowledge (proficiency/Level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (level B) of another UN official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) or Portuguese (one of WFP's working languages);
• Knowledge of French or Spanish is desirable.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Selected candidate will be employed on a fixed-term contract with a probationary period of one year.

WFP offers an attractive compensation and benefits package, including basic salary, post adjustment, 30 days' annual vacation, home leave, an education grant for dependent children, pension plan and medical insurance. Please visit the following websites for detailed information on working with WFP.

http:www.wfp.org Click on: "Where we work" and "Our work" to learn more about WFP's operations.

http:icsc.un.org Click on: Quick Links > Salary Scales > by date

http:www.unstaffmobility.org Learn more about countries where the UN operates

HOW TO APPLY

Go to: http://i-recruitment.wfp.org/vacancies/13-0013769

Step 1: Create your online CV.

Step 2: Click on "Description" to read the position requirements and "Apply" to submit your application.

NOTE: You must complete Step 2 in order for your application to be considered for this vacancy.