This post is opened in the context of the
Junior Professional Officer (JPO) scheme
sponsored by the Government of The Netherlands
and is addressed exclusively to Nationals of Developing Countries
that appear on the following list of countries eligible for the Dutch JPO Programme
Nationals of Madagascar are not eligible to apply
For a list of the eligible countries: click here
For criteria see the Nedworc Foundation: click here to access the website
Please read the criteria and FAQ section carefully before considering applying
United Nations World Food Programme
ABOUT WFP
The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. We are currently seeking for a Junior Professional Officer to fill the position of Programme Officer for Nutrition based with the WFP Country Office in Antanarivo, Madagascar.
The Madagascar CO offers the opportunity for a JPO to support the Nutrition Unit; to consolidate the learnings from the several activities; and to implement an extended joint UN stunting prevention programme.
CONTEXT AND BACKGROUND
In 2015, WFP Madagascar reviewed its in-country operations with a stronger focus to support stunting reduction strategies at national level. To support the CO in engaging in the prevention of stunting Madagascar received a significant contribution through WFP headquarters as part of an effort to increase Nutrition capacities nationally. Nutrition activities have included:
- A demonstration model for the reduction of stunting through a Mother and Child Health and Nutrition approach, jointly implemented with UNFPA. Impact and other learnings from this pilot intervention are measured through a research framework designed jointly with, and implemented by, the NGO GRET;
- A cost of hunger analysis implemented under the leadership of the PM office. Through the study process, one of the expected outcomes is to increase awareness on the economic loss resulting from high rates of undernutrition and advocate for high level political commitment against child undernutrition;
- A series of analysis to contribute to a better understanding of determinants of stunting jointly led with other UN agencies and national institutions;
GENERAL INFORMATION
Title of Post: Nutritionist (JPO)
Grade: P2
Supervisor: Head of Nutrition Unit
Unit: Nutrition
Country: Madagascar
Duty Station: Antanarivo
Duration: Initially 1 year renewable up to 3 years
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the direct supervision of the Head of Nutrition, and in close collaboration with staff from other units, the selected candidate will perform the following tasks – after familiarisation with the local context and WFP’s policies and strategies.
NUTRITION PROGRAMMING
- Assist the Country Office in implementing a joint UN stunting prevention programme for the reduction of stunting and scaling up – this includes the analysis of opportunities for local and regional procurement of specialized nutritious foods;
- Support in technically advising and providing recommendations to increase effectiveness and efficiency of nutrition programming, particularly related to stunting prevention activities;
- Contribute to the on-going nutrition analysis and studies and support the CO in presenting results and drafting reports;
- In collaboration with the Logistics Unit and the Food Quality Unit based in WFP Headquarters, support the CO to engage with national producers for the local production of nutrition specific products.
CAPACITY BUILDING
- Support strengthening nutrition capacity building amongst WFP staff and its partners, including Government, with a particular focus on stunting programming.
MONITORING & EVALUATION (M&E)
- In close collaboration with the M&E unit, strengthen monitoring of routine data and evaluation (including PDM) of nutrition activities;
- Conduct field visits to nutrition programme activities on a regular basis; monitor programme implementation; complete programme checklist; note implementation issues;
- Spearhead preparatory studies and analysis in collaboration with the national counterparts;
- Ensure effective reporting to donors whenever required.
DONORS RELATIONS & RESOURCE MOBILIZATION
- Support the CO in preparing presentations of NCSP activities for donors; and other resource mobilization activities for nutrition;
- Advocate for nutrition interventions to donors, governments and other actors; explore possibilities to engage with new donors, and support the development of nutrition proposals;
- Collaborate with the Public Information Unit to visibility activities with donors and press, including press releases, meetings and field visits.
ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
- Advanced University degree, or University degree with experience and training/courses, in one of the following disciplines: Nutrition, Public Health, Food Technology, Medicine or other related field;
- Two to four years (max) post-graduate, progressively responsible relevant experience in programme management, including programme design, implementation and monitoring and evaluation;
- Strong computer skills – proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook);
- Proficiency in both oral and written English is a must;
- Proficiency in both oral and written French;
- Strong interpersonal skills, team spirit and ability to work in multicultural settings;
- Behavioural competencies as follows: Action Management, Client Orientation, Cognitive Capacity, Innovation, Partnering and Teamwork.
PLEASE NOTE: Part of the candidate’s academic training (Bachelors or Masters) must have taken place in a developing country that appears on the following list of eligible countries to the Dutch JPO Programme. For a list of the eligible countries click here
DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS
- Previous work experience in the humanitarian and/or development sector as well as in nutrition programmes, especially in developing countries, would be considered an asset;
- Previous exposure to WFP, UNICEF, WHO or FAO work related to nutrition would also be an advantage;
- Experience with Behaviour Change Communication for improving nutrition outcomes;
- As WFP’s International Professionals are required to serve in different locations around the world during the course of their career (including in hardship duty stations), willingness to be mobile would maximise opportunities for long-term retention into the Organization.
EXPECTED OUTCOMES
- The joint UN programme meets WFP nutrition programme standards;
- Capacities of WFP staff are built in stunting prevention at both Sub-Office and Country Office levels;
- Monitoring and evaluation is effective and informs the joint UN programme on a monthly basis.
SUPERVISION
- The JPO will report directly to the Head of Nutrition. The supervision and training will entail:
- An inital briefing by the Head of Nutrition;
- Desk reviews of reference documents and programme manual;
- Interviews with key stakeholders;
- Field missions with WFP staff to experience the context of interventions and constraints;
- An annual workplan elaborated by the Nutrition Officer and the JPO to agree on the tasks and timeline;
- A monthly meeting with the Head of Programme to monitor progress and ad hoc supervision by the Nutrition Officer;
- A mid-year and end-of-year review of the JPO’s achievements and performance to be conducted by the Nutrition Officer.
The JPO position includes a Duty Travel and Training Allowance (DTTA) of USD 4,000 per year which may be used for learning activities related to the assignment and for career development.
LEARNING ELEMENTS
Upon completion of the two-year assignment, the JPO will have acquired:
- Very good knowledge of Public Health Nutrition in developing countries;
- Practice in programme management including monitoring and evaluation and resource mobilization;
- Familiarity with the problematics of Global Food Security and Education;
- How to analyse, manage and communicate nutrition programme information/knowledge;
- How to link WFP nutrition intervention with government nutrition priorities and programmes;
- General understanding of WFP overall operations and activities in the region of assignment.
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION:
30 APRIL 2018
More Information
- Job City Antanarivo
