Food Fortification Specialist at World Food Programme (WFP)

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

 Lead and oversee fortification landscape analysis for Eastern and Southern Africa in line with the deliverables agreed upon with the donors.

• Review the fortification scoping tools and propose adjustments from the experiences from completed analysis and in discussion with nutrition team at GHQ.
• Conduct the scoping exercises on fortification-related information such as national policies, guidelines, strategies, work plans, private sector engagement and the key stakeholders in 5 priority countries.
• Identify key programmatic entry points both internal (Supply Chain, procurement, partnerships, programme) and external (government, donors, technical agencies) opportunities.
• Conduct validation interviews and workshop in the priority countries based on information gathered.

 Lead the implementation of WFP ESARO’s food fortification strategy in line with WFP’s vision for improving diets and nutritional adequacy through fortification

• Enable successful implementation of WFP ESARO’s food fortification strategy and country operational plans for food fortification.
• Oversee continuous capacity strengthening of key technical human resources on food fortification.
• Drive strategic positioning of WFP as a key technical agency in food fortification in ESARO.
• Lead regional advocacy and support resource mobilization and reporting efforts to advance and sustain WFP’s food fortification portfolio in Eastern and Southern Africa.
• Monitor progress of strategy implementation across ESARO and identify bottlenecks and solutions.

Oversee the provision of continuous technical guidance to ESARO country offices on food fortification

• Provide technical guidance in the planning, design, implementation and monitoring of fortification programmes.
• Provide technical support to country offices in designing and conducting formative studies such as landscape studies and others to inform WFP’s programme design.
• Provide technical support for capacity building of government stakeholders as well as development/revision of regulatory frameworks and relevant policy instruments including standards, monitoring guidelines, etc.
• Provide technical support to Country offices in creating an enabling policy environment for integration of fortified foods into WFP operations and government-led programmes.

Contribute to shaping regional and country-level decision-making by influencing programme design, supply chain choices, and policy engagement to increase the share and quality of fortified foods across WFP and Government humanitarian operations

• Lead the implementation of WFP’s roadmap for increasing the use of fortified maize meal/flour and other fortifiable staples in WFP operations.
• Provide technical support on evidence generation, research and other activities related to integrating and/or scaling up fortified foods into WFP operations and government-led programmes.
• Participate and contribute, as required, in internal cross-functional committees, working groups and task-forces to further the integration and scale up of fortified foods into WFP operations and government-led programmes.
• Strengthen collaboration with Supply Chain Units such as Food Safety and Quality Assurance, Local and Regional Procurement, Logistics as key collaborators in enhancing nutritional adequacy of WFP food assistance.

Provide technical and coordination support for WFP’s engagement with regional partners in Eastern and Southern Africa

• Provide strategic coordination and technical backstopping for WFP’s engagement with regional institutions, networks, and initiatives relevant to food fortification across Eastern and Southern Africa.
• Contribute to regional advocacy and thought leadership on food fortification by supporting policy dialogues, regional forums, technical working groups, and knowledge-sharing events.

 Perform other tasks as requested and required.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• Education: An advanced degree related to Food Fortification, Food Processing, Food technology/ Food science, Nutrition, Public Health or a related field.

Experience:

• Minimum five (5) years of experience preferably including food fortification,food technology, food science, food-value addition, food value chains for fortified foods, food security, project planning and management, partnership engagement, advocacy.
• Demonstrated experience in providing technical support preferably on food fortification.
• Experience working with national governments, private sector and fortification stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience of directly/indirectly working in ESARO region would be key.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Knowledge and awareness of fortification strategies, technical expertise in food fortification country capacity strengthening approaches, and food systems frameworks.
• Excellent writing and presentation skills.
• Ability to develop and maintain productive relationships with a variety of stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently, handle multiple tasks, work under pressure and deliver assignments on time, while also working collaboratively and cross-culturally.
• Languages: Fluency (level C) in English language. Additional good working knowledge of French is preferred.