Technical Officer - Nutrition

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Department of Nutrition for Health and Development (NHD) builds and implements a science-informed, comprehensive, integrated and action/policy oriented 'Nutrition Agenda' at global, regional and country levels that addresses the whole spectrum of nutrition problems towards attaining the Sustainable Development Goals 2030 and other nutrition-related international commitments, including the 2025 Global Targets for the comprehensive implementation plan on maternal, infant and young child nutrition endorsed by the World Health Assembly.

 

This Department coordinates nutrition efforts in WHO emphasizing the areas of global nutrition surveillance, country technical support, and evidence and programme guidance. NHD acts globally and internationally to raise awareness and commitment, as well as to build alliances, networks and partnerships in a human-rights and multi-stakeholder perspective towards attaining the Sustainable Development Goals.

 

The Evidence and Programme Guidance (EPG) unit follows an evidence-informed guideline development process for guidelines on nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive actions in stable and emergency settings. The implementation of the recommendations contained in these nutrition guidelines requires support for adaptation and adoption by governments all across the world and their partners. The overall objective of the programme is the provision of guidance on nutrition actions in the different contexts and population groups and their integration into existing health programmes. The generation of guidelines informed by evidence provide Member States with recommendations to initiate or to integrate in existing health and nutrition programmes. The strategic objective of the The Evidence and Programme Guidance Unit includes the generation of evidence-informed guidelines to improve nutrition in populations, developed through a systematic process for retrieving, summarizing and assessing the global evidence and support countries through a process of addressing their own specific needs and capacities in the adoption and adaptation of the recommendations. The unit provides comprehensive technical guidance and implementation support to Member States in different contexts and population groups This position will help NHD track the trends in micronutrient status over time.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

1. Extract data from publications (peer-reviewed articles and reports) on the micronutrients status of populations and enter data into the updated Micronutrients Database following the WHO the Editor's manual for the Micronutrients Database, including information on survey design, methods of micronutrient status assessment, and survey results.

2. Assist in the review and correction of technical data previously populated in the Micronutrients Database, providing technical input to the Technical Officer on errors found and modifications made.

3. Contact public health authors of periodicals and reports to obtain technical clarifications as needed about the data reported to ensure accuracy and completeness of reporting.

4. Develop and maintain a monitoring tool of the surveys pending, reviewed and completed to ensure the efficient collection and analysis of micronutrient status data.

5. Reorganize previously collected periodicals, reports and personal communications regarding surveys oniodine, anaemia and vitamin A.

6. Conduct a structured literature search for any missing surveys reporting micronutrient data from the year 2000 to present.

7. Establish a network of data providers for the identification of new survey reports.

8. Perform all other related duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential\: A first level university degree in health sciences, with a focus on epidemiology and nutrition from a recognized institution.
Desirable\:

Experience

Essential\: At least 2 years of experience in health sciences, with focus on epidemiology and nutrition. At least 2 years of experience with data collection and databases. Some experience in an international context.
Desirable\:

Skills

1. Knowledge of methods for the assessment of micronutrient status.

2. Excellent skills in Computer Applications such as advance Excel, data entry and performing structured literature searches.

3. Ability to work independently as well as in close collaboration with different nationalities, scientific areas and cultural backgrounds.

4. Ability to pay close attention to details.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Producing results
Knowing and managing yourself

Use of Language Skills

Essential\: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable\: Intermediate knowledge of French. Intermediate knowledge of Spanish.

REMUNERATION

WHO salaries for staff in the Professional category are calculated in US dollars. The remuneration for the above position comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 46,026 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable), a variable post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station, and currently amounts to USD 3233 per month for the duty station indicated above. Other benefits include 30 days of annual leave, allowances for dependent family members, home leave, and an education grant for dependent children.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level

• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

• A written test may be used as a form of screening.

• In the event that your candidature is retained for an 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.

• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual.

• For information on WHO's operations please visit\: http\://www.who.int.

• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.

• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

• WHO has a mobility policy which can be found at the following link\: http\://www.who.int/employment/en/. Candidates appointed to an international post with WHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.

• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.

• For WHO General Service staff who do not meet the minimum educational qualifications, please see e-Manual III.4.1, para 220./ul>