The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world's largest humanitarian agency, fighting hunger worldwide. We are currently seeking to fill the positions of Nutrition Officer at P2 level, which will become available in our Country Office in Vientiane, Laos.
A large part of WFP’s nutrition work is directed at young children and mothers. WFP also works with other vulnerable groups, such as people living with HIV and children orphaned by AIDS. Using international standards and guidance, WFP’s nutrition experts advise on appropriate food baskets for people facing hunger and the risk of malnutrition.
Within delegated authority, the Nutrition Officer will be responsible for the following duties:
- Provide nutritional support and guidance to country office in the implementation and evaluation of its Country Programme (2012-2015), Country Strategy (2011-2015), Maternal and Child Health and Nutrition (MCHN) development project, Feeding the Future Nutrition Education Project, and the School Meals development project with a specific focus on enhancing nutritional outcomes; including the associated monitoring and evaluation requirements;
- Co-lead the Food and Nutrition Security Outcome in the Lao PDR United Nations Development Assistance Framework (2012-2015) ensuring alignment of WFP’s activities within it and foster programmatic collaboration with UN partners working in nutrition and food security;
- In collaboration with UN and other stakeholders, play a key role in advising and supporting the government in establishing a cross-sectoral coordination mechanism for the management of nutrition and food security activities through the REACH process;
- Provide strategic guidance and technical support to the country office and the relevant line Ministry counterparts in the initiation and scale-up of the SUN Initiative through advocacy and engagement with the multi-stakeholder nutrition and food security community;
- Coordinate WFP MCHN activities as part of the Joint Ministry of Health-UN Programme on Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health and Nutrition;
- Lead scale-up of the MCHN project and guide its implementation at the field level;
- Lead field implementation and scaling up of the Feeding the Future Nutrition Education project;
- Align WFP nutrition activities with national nutrition policies and programs and promote coherence of approaches, in close coordination with UN and other key stakeholders;
- Advice and support CO on implementation of the WFP Strategic Plan and specifically on scaling up the nutrition-related components of the Strategic Plan;
- Represent WFP at nutrition and food security related technical working groups, sector-wide coordination meetings and other relevant regional, national and interagency technical meetings as and when required.
Qualifications & Experience
Required Education:- Advanced University degree in one or more of the following disciplines: Nutrition, Public Health or related field, or university degree in any of these fields with relevant experience and advanced courses/training. Experience (in addition to those listed in the Nutritionist Generic Job Profile):
- At least 3 years of postgraduate professional experience in nutrition, public health, development, or food assistance support;
- Strong hands-on experience in inter-agency coordination on nutrition and food security including advocacy;
- Demonstrated experience in working with national government ministries in policy and strategy development;
- Operational experience in the formulation and implementation of nutrition projects, particularly MCHN and nutrition education;
- Experience with survey methodologies, nutrition assessment and relevant data analysis is an advantage;
- Experience on working in nutrition in South-East Asia would be an advantage.
- Strong programme and staff management experience including staff supervision;
- Strong knowledge of public health and knowledge of nutrition.
- Excellent analytical, planning and communications skills;
- Good diplomatic and interpersonal skills;
- Willingness to travel and spend time in remote, rural locations;
- Excellent word processing and excel skills;
- Ability to establish and maintain good working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.
- Working knowledge of English and intermediate knowledge of another UN official language (Arabic, French, Spanish, Russian or Chinese) or Portuguese as a WFP working language;
- Knowledge of Lao or Thai will be an advantage.
Terms and Conditions
Selected candidates 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
Application procedures:
Go to: http://i-recruitment.wfp.org/vacancies/11-0011810- 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.
Deadline for applications: 5 September 2011
WFP has zero tolerance for discrimination and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status. Qualified female applicants and qualified applicants from developing countries are encouraged to apply
REF: 11-0011810
