Roster of Nutrition Officer

Overview of the programme

WHO India Country Office collaborates with the Government of India and relevant stakeholders within the framework of the collaborative Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS), to actively support the development and implementation of national health policies, strategies and plans aiming at promoting access to and utilization of affordable and quality health services and improving financial protection against health-related risks.

Through policy and technical support at national and state level, the WHO Country Office more specifically aims to facilitate the adaptation and uptake of WHO policies, guidelines and other normative work related to nutrition including harmonizing national policies and strategies for addressing all forms of malnutrition with evidence-based recommendations.

Underlying Values and Core Functions of WHO

WHO’s mandate revolves around six (6) leadership priorities specifying (i) advancing universal health coverage (ii) health related sustainable development goals (iii) addressing the challenge of non-communicable diseases and mental health, violence and injuries and disabilities (iv) implementing the provisions of the International Health Regulations (2005) (v) increasing access to quality, safe, efficacious and affordable medical products (vi) addressing the social, economic and environmental determinants of health.

The South – East Asia Region (SEAR) of WHO is made up of 11 countries, with over 1.9 billion people, with India’s population of 1.4 billion. All the Member States of WHO/SEAR (Bangladesh, Bhutan, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Timor-Leste), share the common value of the highest attainable standard of health as a fundamental human right. All of WHO actions are based on this and rooted in the underlying values of equity, solidarity and participation.

Mission of the WHO Country Office for India

The mission of WHO India is to improve quality of life people in India especially the vulnerable population groups by supporting the government in prevention and management of undernutrition, overweight and obesity, and promoting consumption of healthy diets through creation of a conducive policy landscape and strengthening existing programs related to nutrition and health.

Description of Duties:

Under the overall guidance of the Team Leader (Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health), and under the direct supervision of the National Professional Officer (Nutrition), the incumbent will be based at Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and work with the nutrition focal point at MoH to fulfill the following responsibilities:

• Techno-managerial support to Ministry of Health & Family Welfare on nutrition programmes with focus but not limited to planning, review, implementation of all work related to infant and young child feeding and anemia prevention and management.
• Data analysis, programme and reviewing situation on quarterly basis for informing to higher officers within the Government for decision making.
• Data analysis of surveys related to nutrition from time to time and developing reports and status papers to inform policy for the Government.
• Preparation of operational guidelines, PPTs, white papers, policy notes for above mentioned programmes as and when asked to.
• Contribute to/support the preparation/design and conduct/update of situation analysis for the nutrition scenario to ensure timely comprehensive and current data on nutrition are available to guide policy and development, design and management of nutrition programs/projects expanding to beyond child age group.
• Responsible for providing comments on Programme Implementation Plan of allocated States (PIP) in field of nutrition- through coordinating and incorporating inputs from within and other programme Divisions, analysing for consistency and synergy, reviewing component wise budgets, ensuring adherence to norms and provide inputs to states as required for revision and submission of final PIPs for discussion to the Government.
• Review of technical documents and provide comments on behalf of MoHFW on Nutrition and related subjects.
• To support coordination and convergence with Ministry of Women & Child Development (ICDS) and even Ministry of Education as and when required.
• To undertake periodic field visits to states and districts to review nutrition programme implementation in the States, identify implementation challenges and support states in charting appropriate solutions under guidance of the Government.
• Perform any other duties as assigned by the supervisor(s) from time to time.
• Ensure good teamwork and coordination within the division and with other NHM divisions

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

Education:

Essential: University degree in Nutritional Sciences or Public Health from a recognized institution/university.

Desirable: Post Graduation or other advanced degree in Nutritional sciences or public health.

WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from accredited institutions. The list

can be accessed through this link: http://www.whed.net/

Experience:

Essential: At least one (1) year of professional experience working at national and state level on development and implementation of nutrition related programs with demonstrated ability of liaising with various government stakeholders for implementation of programmes.

Desirable:

• Thorough understanding of the related national and state policies, programs on health and nutrition. Working experience with intergovernmental agencies at the national and state level will be an advantage.
• 5 or more years of work experience in public health sector working with NHM/RCH at national or state level.
• Prior experience in project/programme management of nutrition programs.
• Has supported technical training on SAM management, IYCN, Micronutrient, IMNCI etc.
• Has exposure to nutrition databases available for the country in various surveys.
• Published work in the area of public health nutrition.

Competencies:

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Producing results
• Moving Forward in Changing Environment

Functional Skills and Knowledge:

• Ability to work in highly demanding environment, liaising with academia, multilateral partners
• Proficiency in computer applications and ability to search and analyse relevant health and nutrition and related data, draft reports.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, analytical and interpersonal abilities, excellent oral and written communication skills in English. Working knowledge of Hindi also desirable.

Remuneration

Monthly remuneration is INR 157,449 (NOA) taxable as per Indian laws and the appointment will be through Special Services Agreement (SSA) extendable subject to satisfactory performance and continuing need for the function. S/he will be posted at New Delhi. The position may require extensive travel (can be upto 15 days in a month) to the states and districts.

The Nutrition Officer is a national of the country (India) where he/she is to serve, is recruited locally and is not subject to assignment to any official station outside the home country. Only Indian Nationals should apply

Additional Information:

• This Vacancy Notice may be used to fill similar positions at the same level.
• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
• A written test and interviews may be used as a form of screening.
• If your candidature is retained for interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.
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• This post is subject to local recruitment and will be filled by persons recruited in the local commuting area of the duty station.
• Any extension of appointment would be subject to programmatic requirements, performance of the incumbent and availability of funds.
• Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply.