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• We offer an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section of this vacancy announcement).

JOB TITLE: Nutrition Officer
TYPE OF CONTRACT: Service contract (SC-8)
UNIT/DIVISION: Programme
DUTY STATION (City, Country): PMU BRECSA, Gelephu, Bhutan
DURATION: 12 months (renewable)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

The World Food Programme (WFP) has been in Bhutan since 1974. After almost 50 years of support to school meals in Bhutan, WFP, through the country strategic plan (2024–2028), will strengthen and support government efforts to deliver equitable and inclusive economic growth and support human capital development. Key contributions will include expanding investments and capacities in resilient food systems, integrating food security and nutrition considerations into social protection, and strengthening systems for emergency preparedness and response. All WFP activities will continue to operate with and through WFP’s partnerships with the Government. A prominent feature of the WFP’s country strategic plan will be to expand WFP’s capacity strengthening of government institutions and engagement of private sector partners while adopting a sharper gender focus.

The WFP is partnering with IFAD and the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MOAL) in implementing the Building Resilient Commercial Smallholder Agriculture (BRECSA) Project. The project is supported 
by the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP) and IFAD and aims to to catalyze a 30% increase in resilient commercial agricultural production and improve food and nutrition security in 4 target Districts if Bhutan (Trongsa, Tsirang, Sarpang and Zhemgang) by 2030. The objective is to transform smallholder agriculture into inclusive and resilient agri-food systems that are increasingly profitable and food and nutrition secure. BRECSA targets subsistence, semi-commercial and commercial farmer households. The total direct beneficiaries of BRECSA interventions are 12,074 farmer households (47088 beneficiaries), out of which 60% will be women and 30% youth.

Under sub-component 1.3 of the project – Support to vulnerable groups to improve income and nutrition status, the project will target vulnerable households to promote nutrition-sensitive agriculture interventions such as, home gardens, small-scale poultry production, selected on-farm and off-farm activities, and awareness raising on food-based nutrition.

Although 98 percent of households in Bhutan are food secure, dietary diversity within Bhutanese households is inadequate. Child malnutrition and vitamin and mineral deficiencies persist, and the country faces an increase in obesity and chronic diseases among its population. Targeting food security alone is insufficient for improving nutritional status. To improve nutritional outcomes, there is a need to improve access to, and availability of, and consumption of nutritious food to enhance dietary 
diversity through combining the income pathway with (i) diversified food production (nutrition sensitive value chain), (ii) enhanced nutrition awareness and food habits, and (iii) intensified linkages between 
local farmers and schools.

WFP seeks a suitable national nutrition officer for a period of 12 months, on renewable basis. The nutrition officer will provide on-going technical support to the Project Social Inclusion and Nutrition Officer and implement the activities under nutrition sub-component in close collaboration with implementing agencies.

The project document and annual work plan and budget will guide the main areas of work and activities.

Reports to: WFP Programme Manager

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES (not all-inclusive, nor exhaustive):

1.  Establishment of Nutrition Indicators:

a.  Lead the development and implementation of quantitative baseline, mid-term, and endline survey methodologies and questionnaires, ensuring coverage of Minimum Dietary Diversity for Women (MDDW) and other key nutrition indicators.

b. Develop methodologies and protocols for qualitative formative research targeting vulnerable groups. The research will cover four population groups-adolescent girls (15–17), youth (18–35), pregnant and 
lactating women, and women of reproductive age (36–49)-and will explore food availability,  accessibility, affordability, and consumption patterns in relation to the ten food groups and relevant socio-economic activities.

c. Implement the qualitative formative research and lead or support data analysis and interpretation of findings.

2. a. Lead and support implementation of activities under the Social and Behavior Change (SBC) Action Plan for the BRECSA Project, including interpersonal communication activities and the development of 
accompanying Information, Education and Communication (IEC)

materials.

b. The SBC Action Plan will be informed by findings from the quantitative baseline survey and qualitative formative research and aligned with the FSAPP GAFSP-supported SBC Strategy (2019–2022).

3.a. In collaboration with the PMU Nutrition Officer, Ministry of Health (MoH) district nutritionists, and other implementing partners, designing and implement a nutrition-sensitive agriculture SBC training package for gewog extension agents, extension staff, and Sanam Jabjorpas. The training package will equip participants to train youth, women, and persons with disabilities on: basic nutrition concepts and effective communication techniques; promotion of cultivation, processing, and consumption of healthier foods ;integrated homestead food production; cooking demonstrations using low-cost, nutritious recipes from garden produce and backyard farming; appropriate food combinations; and small-scale, household-level agro-processing to enhance micronutrient content.

b. SBC outputs will include training manuals, field-based materials, and key messages adapted for social media.

4. Lead the Training of Trainers (ToT) for MoH district nutritionists/dietitians, extension workers, and Sanam Jabjorpas, enabling them to cascade the SBC package to youth, women, and persons with disabilities to enhance household consumption of nutrient-dense foods.

5. Contribute to the development and implementation of a monitoring plan to ensure effective roll-out of the SBC package across the four project Dzongkhags and assess the quality and consistency of message delivery at gewog and community levels.

6. Build the capacity of MoH district nutritionists and relevant government staff on nutrition-sensitive agriculture and SBC approaches. Identify capacity gaps and develop, share, and facilitate access to relevant resources through formal trainings and informal learning platforms.

7. Support the development of a nutrition garden model to strengthen home garden initiatives. In collaboration with district nutritionists and agriculture extension officers, organize practical demonstrations at selected sites and identify appropriate tools and equipment required for home garden activities.

8. Provide ongoing technical support to district-level nutrition-sensitive agriculture activities to ensure inclusive implementation and systematic integration of nutrition considerations across project interventions.

DELIVERABLES UNDER BRECSA

1. Quantitative baseline survey protocol and qualitative formative research methodology developed and submitted for implementation.

2. Analysis of quantitative and qualitative research findings informing the design of nutrition-sensitive interventions, including an SBC Action Plan and an accompanying monitoring and evaluation framework.

3. Nutrition-sensitive SBC training package finalized; Training of Trainers; and monitoring report documenting SBC package implementation in four target districts

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Education:

Master’s or bachelor’s degree in the field of nutrition, dietetics, or public health preferred. Bachelor’s in other related social sciences will be considered.

Experience:

1. At least 1 year of professional experience for master’s degree and 3 years of professional experience for bachelor’s degree in implementing or supervising nutrition interventions, especially those involving nutrition-sensitive agriculture.

2. Experience planning and implementing SBC programs in nutrition or public health including advocacy and interpersonal communication.

3. Experience in designing and conducting research and monitoring and evaluation related to nutrition, nutrition-sensitive agriculture and rural development programs.

4. Experience developing and implementing a training package for extension agents working with farmers.

5. Exposure to the nutrition and / or health environment in Bhutan would be an asset.

Knowledge & Skills:

1. Excellent interpersonal skills required, including strong professional communication skills.

2. Understanding of food systems and drivers of the triple burden of malnutrition in a nutrition transition context.

3. Knowledge of research methods, including qualitative and quantitative methods.

4. Strong analytical and report writing skills.

5. Ability to work within tight deadlines and manage multiple tasks simultaneously independently.

6. Proven ability to conceptualize, develop, plan, and manage small to medium sized projects.

7. Excellent leadership and teamwork skills, good analytical, communication, negotiation, and advocacy skills.

8. Ability to work in a team and establish effective working relationships with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.

9. Advanced computer skills with mastery of Windows and Microsoft Office.

10. General knowledge of UN programs is an advantage.

11. Experience in producing and delivering quality results on time.

Languages: 

Fluency in both oral and written communication in English (Level C) and Dzongkha

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REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

WFP is committed to supporting individuals with disabilities by providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process. If you require a reasonable accommodation, please contact:  global.inclusion@wfp.org

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REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

• All applications must be submitted exclusively through our online recruitment system. We do not accept CVs or spontaneous applications by email.

• If you experience challenges while submitting your online application, please contact us at global.hrerecruitment@wfp.org for technical support only.

• Please note that applications sent to this email address cannot be considered.

• We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete, and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, language skills and UN Grade (if applicable).

• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application.

• Kindly note the only documents you will need to submit at this time are your CV and Cover Letter

• Additional documents such as passport, recommendation letters, academic certificates, etc. may potentially be requested at a future time

• Only shortlisted candidates will be notified

All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.