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Nutrition & Food Security Off

N'Djamena

  • Organization: UNHCR - United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
  • Location: N'Djamena
  • Grade: Mid level - P-3, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Security and Safety
    • Nutrition
    • Food Security, Livestock and Livelihoods
  • Closing Date: Closed

Before submitting an application, UNHCR staff members intending to apply to this Job Opening are requested to consult the Recruitment and Assignments Policy (RAP, UNHCR/HCP/2017/2 and the Recruitment and Assignments Administrative Instruction (RAAI), UNHCR/AI/2017/7 OF 15 August 2017.

Nutrition and Food Security Officer

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
Under the direct supervision of the Assistant Representative (Ops), in coordination with the Senior Public Health Officer and with liaising with HQs Nutrition team, the Nutrition and Food Security Officer is expected to provide policy and technical guidance on nutrition, training, carry out joint assessments, nutrition surveys, coordinate implementation of the programme with WFP and UNICEF, ensure standard settings and protocols, compile and provide data on nutrition situations.

In order to ensure wider reach out to the refugee and reinforce their close involvement in the delivery and management of nutrition services, the incumbent will need to establish an appropriate consultative and monitoring framework which would draw the experience and expertise of a wide range of actors both internally and externally.

The incumbent of the position will oversee and supervise the Nutrition programmes in all refugee camps within the Area of Responsibility (AoR), and provide strong technical guidance to partners, monitor and evaluate the programme and ensure and lead monthly nutrition coordination meetings. The incumbent will demonstrate strong representational, networking and negotiation skills with internal and external stakeholders such as the Government counterparts, UN Agencies and Embassies.

The Nutrition and Food Security Officer will be a cornerstone in allowing the Operation to fulfil the requirements of coordination (internal and external), provision of support to treatment and prevention of malnutrition whilst also focusing on a multi-sector, nutrition sensitive response to address the root causes of malnutrition, evaluating the nutrition and food security situation and impact of joined-up activities in the refugee camps and host communities.
The incumbent will ensure that UNHCR¿s nutrition and food security programmes meet minimum 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, support to ongoing and emergency interventions, 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.

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT
Accountability
- Nutrition interventions are properly managed in line with UNHCR and / or international humanitarian standards to maintain malnutrition at acceptable levels
- Coordination mechanisms are strengthened and maintained with all Nutrition and Food Security stakeholders.
- UNHCR policies, standards and procedures on Nutrition and Food Security are constantly and coherently applied.
- The nutrition needs of persons of concern such as children under 5, Pregnant and Lactating Women and other Persons with Specific Needs are addressed.
- Food Security and self-reliance activities are promoted and put in place
- Timely nutrition data is available for incorporation into the Health Information System.
- Nutrition and food assistance data is analysed and interpreted to serve as evidence base for planning and interventions.
- JAM, nutritional survey and other assessments are properly and timely planned, conducted and implemented.

Responsibility
- Coordinate nutrition programmes in order to ensure that minimum UNHCR and international standards are met including inter-sectoral coordination within UNHCR and with partners in all matters related to nutrition and food aid.
- Support the prioritization of the nutrition and food assistance strategy focusing on prevention and treatment activities, including ensuring appropriate food availability at border areas, transit sites and in camps/sites, detection, referral and management of MAM and SAM, IYCF, community based nutrition linkages and monitoring components.
- Support in the programming exercise to draw proposals and budgets related to nutrition and food assistance.
- Ensure that timely nutrition data is available for incorporation into the Health Information System and that nutrition and food assistance data is analysed and interpreted to serve as evidence base for planning and interventions.
- Ensure that the WFP/UNHCR `Memorandum of Understanding¿ and general policies on Food and Nutrition Programme Management are adhered to including provision of complementary foods, micronutrients, feeding programmes etc.
- Ensure that nutrition is clearly defined in joint documents, like MoU or JPA, with WFP and UNICEF.
- Liaise with WFP in all aspects related to the general food distribution and food aid.
- Ensure regular nutrition coordination meetings are conducted with all relevant partners.
- Ensure that UNHCR¿s policies, standards and procedures on Nutrition and Food Security are applied.
- Support the Ministry of Health with the coordination and response to refugee nutrition activities.
- Work in a multi-sectoral and co-ordinated approach in co-operation with governments, UN agencies, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and other humanitarian partners.
- Provide technical assistance to UNHCR sub/field offices and implementing partners in development, integration and mainstreaming of appropriate and cost-effective nutrition programmes.
- Monitor and evaluate country-level nutrition programmes against standard UNHCR and international indicators to ensure that programmes are evidence-based and implemented in a comprehensive and cost-effective manner
- Promote basic health and nutrition education for populations of concern and train refugee health workers (e.g. community health workers, peer educators, counsellors, etc.);
- Work towards strengthening local structures and capacities; ensure strong linkages among health, nutrition, food security, reproductive health and HIV with protection and human rights;
- Improve coordination among partners and participate in capacity building efforts;
- Use community-based approaches, including clear involvement of refugees in the nutritional and public health programmes.
- Promote information sharing on all aspects related to refugee nutritional health.
- Support the establishment of Refugee Nutrition Committees to enable their active participation in the process of nutrition planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
- Advocate, inform, and communicate amongst stakeholders to ensure that refugee nutrition issues are addressed and that their nutritional needs and status of refugees and other persons of concern to UNHCR are appropriately documented and disseminated.
- Ensure regular updates and share information within UNHCR as well as with relevant government, UN and implementing and operational partners¿ counterparts and donor communities in the host country on their nutritional status and needs.

Authority
- Provide guidance, strategic direction, and recommendations on nutrition and food security programmes to UNHCR partners.
- Provide technical support and coordination related to nutrition and food security.
- Represent UNHCR in nutrition and food security meetings at country level.
- Provide guidance on the overall strategy and focus of nutrition and food assistance programmes in the camps refugee operation.
- Make recommendations to the UNHCR Management on nutrition issues concerning persons of concern.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
- Undergraduate degree (equivalent of a BA/BS) in Human Nutrition or related field plus minimum 6 years of previous work experience relevant to the function with a minimum of 3 years in the UN or in an international organization dealing with large scale emergencies or displaced/refugee situations. Graduate degree (equivalent of a Master's) plus 5 years or Doctorate degree (equivalent of a PhD) plus 4 years of previous relevant work experience may also be accepted.
- Good knowledge of Public Health and WASH requirements in refugee operations.
- Proven ability to deal with multiple tasks in a courteous and service-oriented manner in a demanding working condition that often has short deadlines.
- Proven technical expertise in the area of nutrition and food security assessments including surveys, rapid screenings and rapid assessments.
- Ability to work under pressure and in hardship conditions.
- Ability to coordinate a range of diverse actors and activities to achieve a common objective in the area of Nutrition and Food Security is essential.
- Exposure to UNHCR mandate, its priorities and principles is an asset.
- Knowledge and experience of working with partner agencies with a capacity to provide formal and informal training.
- Proficiency in computer software such as MS Access, Excel, PowerPoint, Word.
- Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES
- Experience, advanced training and combined knowledge in various related fields: e.g. public health, food assistance, IYCF, reproductive health, WASH.
- Experience in Nutrition surveys, implementation of micro-nutrients programme. 
- Experience, advanced training and combined knowledge in various related fields: e.g. public health, food assistance/food security, IYCF, reproductive health, WASH.
- Demonstrated experience of the latest developments and technology in Nutrition and food security e.g. Use of Food supplementation products, SMART methodology, Community Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM), Food Security and  small scale agriculture, Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices.
- Experience in project cycle management, partnerships, exit strategy and sustainability of nutrition projects. 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
M006L3 - Managing Resources Level 3
M003L3 - Judgement and Decision Making Level 3
M002L3 - Managing Performance Level 3
X001L3 - Analytical Thinking Level 3
X004L3 - Negotiation and Conflict Resolution Level 3
X008L3 - Stakeholder Management Level 3 <p>The UNHCR workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages and opinions. UNHCR seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.</p>
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See below for this postion's Operational Context
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For those people applying for High Risk Duty Stations, we strongly encourage them – before deciding to apply- to read the country specific security and welfare country profiles which can be found on the Intranet under Support Services - Duty of Care (https://intranet.unhcr.org/en/support-services/duty-of-care.html). Ensuring staff are better informed is part of the increased attention UNHCR is paying to Duty of Care.

 

Staff after having applied to High Risk Duty Stations will have access to country specific information webinars with Field Safety Section (FSS) and Staff Welfare Section (SWS) colleagues and provided with a tool to test their psychological preparedness for serving in High Risk Duty Stations. Applicants who applied for a position in a High Risk country will receive, after the deadline for applications has expired, a joint invitation from the Staff Welfare Section (SWS) and the Field Safety Section (FSS) to participate in these webinars. During the Webinars, latest updates on security and well-being will be provided, and FSS and SWS will address questions raised by participants. Applicants are highly encouraged to benefit, when applicable, from all measures as they provide most up-to-date security and well-being information helpful to assess staff’s readiness to serve in a High Risk Duty Station. A Staff Welfare Officer will also be available, if and when required, to discuss with interested applicants the results of the psychological preparedness tool as well as readiness for assignment in High Risk Duty Stations.

 

Demonstrated experience of the latest developments and technology in Nutrition and food security (e.g. Use of Food supplementation products, SMART methodology, CMAM, Voucher or cash transfer programmes, small scale agriculture, IYCF)

Ability to coordinate a range of diverse actors and activities to achieve a common objective in the area of nutrition and food security

Training and capacity building of implementing and governmental partners; Consensus teambuilding and cultural sensitivity needed as the team is diverse; On-the-job coaching and mentoring of national staff; Multi-agency co-ordination

Proven ability to deal with multiple tasks in a courteous and service-oriented manner in a demanding working condition that often has short deadlines

Good communicator with strong interpersonal and negotiation skills to interact with persons of different cultural and educational backgrounds

A team player with service oriented attitudes

Proficiency in computer software such as excel, word, powerpoint, ENA, NutVal, EpiInfo.

The candidate should have experience in Nutrition and Food security that have been acquired from previous UNHCR field operations including emergency situations Chad hosts some 460,000 refugees including Sudanese, Central Africans, Nigerian, Congolese and other refugees and tens of thousands of Chadians who returned from CAR and are at risk of statelessness.

The operation in Chad is currently decentralized and the Branch Office in N¿Djamena provides strategic direction and coordination to the three Sub-Offices and their respective Field Offices.

The overall nutritional situation in Chad is characterized by an extremely high prevalence of Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) in the 6 most northern camps of the Eastern Region. What is more worrying here is the upward trend over the last 3 years and the risks to health and protection that are closely related to the poor nutrition and food security situation. Stunting and anaemia levels amongst refugees are extremely high between 40 to 60 per cent in all refugee camps, this denotes long term nutritional deficits which are affected by food insecurity, limited livelihoods opportunities and decreasing support from authorities and the international community N¿Djamena is an expensive city. Finding good accommodation remains a challenge. However there are a number of supermarkets where local and foreign goods are available and expatriates frequent a number of restaurants offering Lebanese, Chinese, French and other foods.
R&R for International staff is 8 weeks cycle. N¿Djamena is a security level 2 duty station. While security in N¿Djamena is, at present, stable, staff are discouraged from walking in the streets, taking taxis, staying out late at night and visiting public places alone due to criminality. Physical integrity of UNHCR staff: UNHCR staff are always reminded of the need to strictly respect all norms of security.

Please note that the closing date for all vacancies in this addendum is Tuesday 25 June 2019 (midnight Geneva time).

This vacancy is now closed.
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