NUTRITIONIST

What we do

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) works worldwide to provide humanitarian assistance to people affected by conflict and armed violence. We take action in response to emergencies and at the same time promote respect for international humanitarian law.  We are an independent and neutral organization, and our mandate stems essentially from the Geneva Conventions of 1949. We work closely with National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and with their International Federation in order to ensure a concerted, rational and rapid humanitarian response to the needs of the victims of armed conflict or any other situation of internal violence. We direct and coordinate the international activities conducted in these situations.

Role description

The ICRC defines Economic Security as the status of an individual, household or community that is able to cover its life and livelihoods obligatory expenditures in a sustainable manner, consistent with its environment, culture and customs. Within its global Economic Security approach in conflict affected countries, the ICRC implements Relief, Livelihood and Rehabilitation Programs in order to improve, restore or maintain food and economic security at household level. To achieve this objective Economic Security uses a combination of different interventions and modalities, such as cash and voucher programs, microeconomic initiatives, agricultural and livestock programs, and relief items distributions.

The ICRC nutritionist is responsible for advising and supporting EcoSec teams to develop nutrition-sensitive approaches in EcoSec programs, integrated into the various stages of the project cycle.

The ICRC nutritionist is responsible for designing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating nutrition- specific programs. They conceives and supervises interventions to restore, protect, or improve the food consumption and nutritional status people deprived of freedom. They participate to the treatment of malnutrition in primary health centers, hospitals or places of detention.  This should be done in compliance with ICRC's guidelines and standards.

Main responsibilities

• Design and implement the nutrition component of EcoSec assessments
• Understand the causes of malnutrition and use this knowledge in programming and sensitization strategy
• Evaluate/monitor the nutrition situation, alert when required and participate in the immediate response to critical situations
• Provide recommendations to orient the ICRC program's policy, strategy and targeting with regards to nutrition
• Include nutrition considerations in economic security programs by facilitating, designing and implementing strategies to improve the nutritional status of household members
• Prevent and treat acute malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies
• Evaluate the impact of nutrition/economic security interventions, and changes in population environment/livelihoods, and to adapt the programs accordingly
• Review and adapt nutrition inputs/interventions in emergency and recovery responses
• Support capacity building of ICRC staff and partners
• Participate in internal/external workshops and seminars, and nutrition-related forums
• Promote the principles of the Red Cross and of international humanitarian law;
• As a representative of the ICRC, maintain contact and negotiate with government authorities and other parties to the conflict – civilian and military – in order to carry out the work as effectively as possible.

Desired profile and skills

• Ideal age: 27 to 40 years;
• Master in nutrition or public health or equivalent professional experience
• Minimum 3 years field experience in the field of nutrition;
• Professional experience in international humanitarian work and field missions abroad, especially in emergencies;
• Experience of work with the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement is an asset
• Sound understanding of the project cycle, establishing appropriate (SMART) objectives and indicators is required;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills;
• Good organizational, managerial, planning, reporting skills;
• Excellent command of French and English is desired; any other language knowledge (e.g. Arabic, Spanish, Russian) is an asset;
• Fully conversant with word processing, spreadsheet software and basic nutrition computer programs;
• Strongly motivated by humanitarian work;
• Ready to work in difficult contexts and spend time in the field, or to manage programs without direct access to the affected population;
• Possessing good capacity to analyze and summarize complex situations;
• Excellent ability to work under pressure in a potentially dangerous environment;
• Strong capacities to recruit, manage, coach and motivate a small team of nutritionists;
• Ability to take relevant decisions within a given framework;
• Open-minded and adaptable, empathic and diplomatic;
• Readiness and capacity to work in a multidisciplinary team involving other sectors linked to the economic security, and collaborating with Red Cross and Red Crescent movement' members.

Our operational and field constraints

• In line with the principle of neutrality, the ICRC does not assign personnel to a country of which they are nationals
• Candidates must be in good health and will have to do a medical check-up prior to departure in the field
• Candidates must possess a driving licence (for manual transmission vehicles)
• Candidates must be prepared to accept unaccompanied postings (i.e. no spouse, partner, children or dependents) for at least the first 24 months

What we offer

• Rewarding work in a humanitarian and multicultural environment
• A two-week orientation course and other opportunities for further in-house training
• Generous social benefits
• Length of assignment:  12 months
• Join an ICRC talent pool and be considered for future assignments elsewhere