Nutrition Specialist (Emergency Response), Consultant, Level II at World Food Programme (WFP)

The Nutrition, HIV and SBP unit within the Regional Bureau in Nairobi (RBN) is engaged in the provision of strategic and technical assistance for the implementation of nutrition interventions in response to national and regional food security and nutrition crises and in the development of national nutrition capacities. Support to country office is frequently requested in line with the need to increase coverage and efficiency of nutrition programmes, especially prevention and treatment of wasting. Short-period TDY are sometime necessary to fill-in staffing gaps as food and nutrition situation

The purpose of the assignment is to provide technical support for nutrition and emergency interventions to the nine country offices under WFP Regional Bureau in Nairobi. Nutrition integration (including HIV/TB components) is also high in the regional agenda where cross functional support and collaboration are envisaged to contribute to better delivery of services and implementation outcomes.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

Under the supervision of the Senior Regional Nutrition Advisor and in close coordination with other colleagues in the RBN, the Consultant will be responsible to provide technical advice and situation analysis to ensure integrated nutrition programme responses. The Consultant is also expected to deploy to humanitarian emergencies on short notice in support of RB/CO. Close coordination with relevant technical and operational colleagues in RBN and COs is expected along with the following:

• Take a lead role in coordinating the nutrition emergency response in support to the Regional Emergency Coordinator and to the RBN Emergency and Preparedness Unit.
• Provide technical support to ensure nutrition in emergencies interventions are aligned with WFP and global standards. Support CO engagements in cluster and/or working group meetings and discussions for vulnerability assessment, monitoring visits, missions, and other operational activities.
• Provide advice to Country Offices (COs) on the operationalization and integration of multi-dimensional approach to humanitarian access across their Concepts of Operations, access strategies, workplans and project/resource mobilization proposals.
• Monitor emerging humanitarian and food security trends and potential socio-economic and political instability to identify risks and strategies for preparedness and risk reduction before crisis occurs as basis for decision-making as well as requests for external support by the CO/RB/HQ.
• Proactively provide advice and support on mobilization of WFP resources and capabilities for an effective and sustainable emergency response.
• Provide inputs to the review of CSPs or budget revisions, ACRs, national protocols and SOPs, project proposals, guidance and policy documents to ensure technical integrity. This will include technical engagement in the CSP development process including collaboration with M&E to ensure appropriate nutrition indicators are selected and are in line with corporate standards.
• Develop and/or update key knowledge management tools on key components of nutrition in emergencies for better advocacy and programme implementation to form part of country offices’ capacity strengthening efforts.
• Perform other duties as required.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Education:  Advanced University degree preferably in social sciences, public health, nutrition, food technology, medicine or other relevant field of study, or First University degree with additional years of relevant work experience and/or advanced training/courses.
• Experience: At least five (5) years of postgraduate progressively responsible professional experience in public health, nutrition, food technology, medicine or other relevant field. 
• Languages: Fluency in oral and written in English, a second UN language (especially French) would be an advantage.