What we do
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) works worldwide to provide humanitarian assistance to people affected by conflict and armed violence. We take action in response to emergencies and at the same time promote respect for international humanitarian law. We are an independent and neutral organization, and our mandate stems essentially from the Geneva Conventions of 1949. We work closely with National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and with their International Federation in order to ensure a concerted, rational and rapid humanitarian response to the needs of the victims of armed conflict or any other situation of internal violence. We direct and coordinate the international activities conducted in these situations.
Your role
When a conflict breaks out, the risk of malnutrition grows as important infrastructure is destroyed and essential services are disrupted, making it more difficult or impossible for people to get the food they need. Working directly with the people and/or communities affected, the Economic Security department carries out a broad range of emergency-relief, food-security and livelihood-support activities to prevent and treat malnutrition among conflict-affected communities – both civilians and detainees. To read more about our work
You provide support and guidance within your field of expertise either remotely or in person. You contribute to ICRC policies and guidelines and develop tools and training modules for the ICRC’s Nutrition programmes (including for EcoSec, Detention and Health) and contribute to the strategic development of relevant technical files at regional level and in support to the Headquarters. You are part of a multidisciplinary team and will work closely with the Regional Affairs Team, Management (in your delegation and in HQ), the Health, Water & Habitat, Detention and Protection teams. Externally, you represents the ICRC to technical authorities, organisations and forums who work relates to the area of expertise.
Accountabilities & Functional responsibilities
Operational Support (Field & Desk Support)
- Coaches Delegation nutritionists and/or the Delegation in developing relevant strategies, plans of action and programme adjustments.
- Maintains an overview of regional approaches and programs in area of expertise to ensure exchange of experiences and lessons learnt between Delegations.
- Ensures Delegations apply institutional technical tools and provides guidance to adapt and operationalise them.
- Coaches nutritionists and supports delegations directly in the definition of malnutrition causal frameworks and food chain analysis for civilians and detainees.
- Supports Delegations in programme-level assessments, monitoring and evaluations (including use of relevant tools) in area of expertise.
- Coaches new specialists in ICRC approaches to field of expertise, including methodologies, standards and guidance applied as developed by the Economic Security (EcoSec) Unit.
- Provides specific Delegation level capacity building in nutrition as requested and required by the Delegation.
- Supports Economic Security departments and specialists in representing the ICRC with relevant authorities in case of challenging negotiations.
- Ensures guidelines on food quality and good practices on food storage are known, disseminated and used in the field.
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Thematic contribution
- Monitors and provides regional situation analysis to the Regional Affairs Team and Headquarters Nutrition technical focal points, and other relevant Units, in relation to own field of expertise.
- Liaises with fellow Regional Specialists (both EcoSec and non-EcoSec) for in-depth regional situation analysis.
- Collaborates as necessary with regional peers to develop common projects and objectives to enhance the ICRC’s response to affected populations.
- Contributes to specific institutional files of interest, research projects, briefs, articles and policy papers, devising a roadmap for action.
- Designs, organises and delivers trainings and workshops as required and agreed with GVA counterpart. Provides coaching to Nutritionists in Delegations as required.
- In close collaboration with the nutritionists at Headquarters, contributes to the reflexion on operational researches and nutrition strategy.
- Contributes to the development of ICRC/EcoSec strategies and policies in Nutrition (including for Detention and Health).
- Documents and actively participates in reflections operationalising issues of institutional importance (in relation to the Institutional Strategy 2019-2022 and Regional Strategic Framework).
- Contributes to the development of guidelines, training material and other technical tools in relation to the area of expertise and in support of other specialists.
- Contributes to reflections on how to improve and operationalise multi-disciplinary work both within EcoSec and beyond.
- Contributes to the implementation of Economic Security global strategy (2020-2023)
- Support in the delivery of the annual Nutritionists’ Workshop and monthly webinar in collaboration with the GVA nutritionists.
- Ensure the quality and regularity of the data entered in the CMAM database and contribute to the development of the multidisciplinary Database for the places of detention.
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Regional engagement
- Develops and maintains a regional network of external contacts (private, public, non-governmental) in the field of nutrition, and represents the ICRC in relevant working groups, regional meetings and fora.
- Exchanges expertise and experiences with relevant networks and interlocutors as necessary and ensures dissemination of regional issues, and recent literature/ developments/ techniques/ tools among fellow Nutritionists (and the Economic Security Unit as necessary).
Additionial duties
- Fulfils reporting requirements as directed by the Head of Regional Affairs in Nairobi.
- Is aware of the Institutional Strategies and ensures alignment of activities with overarching objectives.
- Is part of the regional surge mechanism which may require temporarily filling a position in a delegation of the geographical remit.
Scope & Impact
- Geographical remit: East, South and Central part of Africa, as well few contexts in NAME region – with specific focus on DRC, CAR, South Sudan, Somalia, Kenya, Syria and Yemen.
- The position is based in Nairobi, with significant travel – depending on operational priorities of client delegations, the field presence can reach up to 70 %.
- Work can have a global impact or a more regional dimension depending on the priorities agreed with the EcoSec Unit, Geneva nutritionists, Head of Regional Affairs and the delegations supported.
Desired profile and skills
- Master’s degree in nutrition or public health or equivalent professional experience
- Proven experience of 5 years in nutrition;
- Professional experience in international work in low resource settings, especially in emergencies;
- Sound understanding of the project cycle, establishing appropriate (SMART) objectives and indicators is required;
- Strong capacities manage a team of nutritionists;
- Sound experience of project management, reporting and communication
- Digital literacy
- Fluent in English and French; any other language knowledge (e.g. Arabic, Spanish, Russian) is an asset
Our operational & field constraints
- In line with the principle of neutrality, the ICRC does not assign personnel to a country of which they are nationals
- You are in good health and will do a medical check-up prior to departure in the field
- You are prepared to accept unaccompanied postings (i.e. no spouse, partner, children or dependents) for at least the first 6 months
- In line with our security guidelines, you hold a manual driving license
What we offer
- Rewarding work in a humanitarian and multicultural environment
- Competitive employment package with attractive social benefits and opportunities for further in-house training
- A first assignment of 24 months based in Nairobi , with up to 70% of the time on mission abroad
- Possibility to bring partner/spouse and children under 20 years of age on assignment after the first 6 months of contract
- Opportunity to join the Nutritionist talent pool and be considered for future assignments globally
How to join
Ready to apply? You will need to upload your resume and a cover letter as well as copies of your diplomas and certifications, valid license to practice, passport and driving license before 12 May 2021. Preferable starting date: August 30th, 2021.
We welcome applications from all qualified candidates. The ICRC values diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive working environment.
More Information
- Job City Nairobi
