Closing date: Sunday, 11 January 2015
Job Title: Snr Regional Nutrition & Food Security Officer
Job ID: 10255
Location: Nairobi, RSH, Kenya
APA Location: Nairobi, RSH, Kenya
Salary Grade: Hardship Level: B
P4
Family Type Location: Family
Eligibility Information
Operational Context
There is no Operational Context for this Job Opening
Duties and Qualifications
Senior Regional Nutrition and Food Security Officer
ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
The Senior Regional Nutrition and Food Security Officer is responsible, within the stated functional area, for the following countries (Tanzania, Kenya, South Sudan, Sudan, Uganda, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti and Somalia). S/he will coordinate and provide technical support to a regional network of country-level public health and nutrition focal points and nutrition officers. The incumbent will ensure that UNHCR’s nutrition and food security programmes meet minimum international UNHCR and international standards, to minimise malnutrition, micronutrient deficiencies and anaemia prevalence among populations of concern and to support the provision and attainment of adequate food for food security. The incumbent plays a role in programme coordination, planning, monitoring and evaluation; as well as promoting capacity- building of UNHCR personnel and partners, and advocacy, information and communication on nutrition and food security issues.
S/he will liaise with UNHCR country offices, DPSM/Public Health Section, and Regional Bureau/Desk. S/he supports and provides guidance to the network of UNHCR health and nutrition focal points and officers as well as to Implementing and Operational Partners, National Governments, Ministries of Health, UN agencies.
To provide policy and guidance on nutrition and food security, provide information on specific technical guidelines, briefings, training, provide input on evaluation documents, carry out assessments, to facilitate contact with WFP and other partner agencies, advise on local agreements, review survey reports, consult on technical protocols, advise on specific nutrition interventions, provide data on nutrition situations, develop strategic plans, advocacy and support fundraising.
To coordinate approaches and strengthen/develop strategic partnership with other regional UN agencies including WFP, WHO, FAO and NGOs involved in nutrition and food security, to share information and experiences, carry out joint assessments, produce joint technical guidelines, implement joint pilot projects, seek new opportunities for interagency collaboration on specific nutrition issues, seek financial and technical support for selected refugee operations, conduct joint trainings, operational research , coordinate with UNICEF on IDP situations through the cluster approach
The incumbent holds a professional senior management position responsible for provision of expert technical support and advice as well as strategic planning and policy making on activities within the areas of nutrition and related food security matters as well as related technical sectors as an integral part of UNHCR programmes.
The Senior Regional Nutrition and Food Security Officer will report to the Regional Hub Manager (direct line manager). Evaluation of the incumbent will be undertaken jointly by the Regional Hub Manager and the Chief of the Public Health Section.
FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT
Accountability
- Strong nutrition-related technical expertise and support is provided to the countries.
- Representation of UNHCR in nutrition and food security fora.
Responsibility
Regional Strategies, Policies and Guidelines:
- Ensure implementation of UNHCR’s polices and strategies including strategic plan for nutrition and food security taking into account UNHCR’s mandate for protection, assistance, and durable solution as well it Global Strategic Objectives.
- Ensure dissemination and implementation of internationally accepted standards, policies, and guidelines within UNHCR and among partners; adapt accordingly to the unique situation of refugee populations.
Coordination and Planning:
- Work in a multi-sectoral and co-ordinated approach within the region as well as in co-operation with UN agencies, donors, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and other humanitarian partners including Standing Committee on nutrition (SCN).
- Represent UNHCR in relevant regional meetings, conferences and similar fora and share information on UNHCR’s activities in nutrition and related matters as well as coordinate internally with other technical sectors, including DIPS, Bureaux, SMS, coordinate with DER on various fund raising and advocacy efforts.
Technical Support:
- Provide technical assistance on nutrition to UNHCR’s regional and national public health coordinators including consultants and UNVs, IPs, the Bureaux, DIPs and direct requests from the field as required including missions.
- Mentor the nutrition and food security personnel at field level through briefings, updates and references.
- Review and provide technical inputs on reports and programme proposals from the field with the view to verify compliance with UNHCR policy priorities including refugee women and children, gender, adolescents and other related priorities.
- Advise SMS and Field Offices on the matters related to procurement of sector-related materials and equipment, and regular update on new development and specifications of such items.
- Be available to rapidly deployment for mission to new refugee emergencies.
Monitoring and Evaluation:
- Support, guidance, analyse the UNHCR Standardized Expanded Nutrition Surveys.
- Coordinate and participate in joint needs assessment, nutrition and food security assessment of refugees and returnees.
- Assist in the design and implementation of the monitoring and evaluation system for nutrition and food security programmes.
- Support implementation and functioning of Health and Nutrition Information Systems, Nutrition data base (NICS) and HCR’s Standards and Indicators Project as well ensure linkages with nutrition cluster assessment tools and process.
Capacity Building
- Facilitate capacity strengthening activities of UNHCR and its implementing partners to address key areas of nutrition and food security as well to ensure the technical integrity of the programmes.
- Expand and establish strategic partnerships in key technical areas to support capacity of field operations as well mobilise nutrition specialised expertise as programme required including in emergencies.
- Ensure that nutrition and food security sectors are adequately addressed in in house capacity building activities venues including training
- Ensure that current gaps in skills and knowledge in the area of nutrition and food security are addressed through global and regional training as well as on job support is provided during filed missions.
Advocacy:
- Advocate on all issues relating to nutrition and food security documented in refugees/IDPs and other persons of concern to UNHCR in the region and particular adequate access to services, including inclusion of refugees and other POC in national and international fora and funding sources.
ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
- Advanced University degree in human nutrition or food science or a related field.
- Experience and professional training in public health with a good understanding of the main issues.
- Minimum of 10 years or progressively relevant experience in human nutrition, including a minimum of five years of working experience in emergency nutrition.
- Ability to promote good working relationships among colleagues, supervisors, and those persons he/she may supervise.
- Ability towards analytical and creative thinking for rapid solutions.
- Proficiency in basic computer software such as MS Access, Epi Info and other statistical programmes required for nutritional survey data analysis.
- Excellent knowledge of English (written/oral/comprehension).
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES
- Previous professional work with NGO’s and / or UN agencies.
- Experience in comprehensive public health programmes, including Water, Sanitation and Hygiene and strong understanding of the linkages and the main issues in these two sectors.
- Strong communication and presentation skills.
- French desirable.
Position Competencies
- C001L3 – Accountability Level 3
- C002L3 – Teamwork & Collaboration Level 3
- C003L3 – Communication Level 3
- C004L3 – Commitment to Continuous Learning Level 3
- C005L3 – Client & Result Orientation Level 3
- C006L3 – Organizational Awareness Level 3
- M001L3 – Empowering and Building Trust Level 3
- M002L3 – Managing Performance Level 3
- M006L3 – Managing Resources Level 3
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