Nutrition Unit in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar

 

The World Food Programme (WFP) is the leading humanitarian organization saving lives and changing lives, delivering food assistance in emergencies and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience. We are currently seeking to fill for candidates to participate in the PD Summer Internship Programme 2020 in the Policy and Programme Department (PD).

 

The position will be based in the nutrition Unit, Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar. The internship will be for a minimum period of 3 months during May/June to August/ September 2020.

 

 

Brief description of WFP activities and Nutrition in Myanmar

 

Myanmar is the second largest country in Southeast Asia. It one of the least developed countries in the world and is suffering the effects of extended isolation and stagnation, with more than 13 million people or 26 percent of Myanmar’s population living below the poverty line. The country is currently in an important political and economic transition phase with several localized conflicts posing an additional challenge to the national peace and development.

 

Nutrition indicators place Myanmar into the ‘high burden’ category of countries and therefore this is a high priority for the government as an essential component of the country’s development. Despite some improvements in recent years, the prevalence of undernutrition among children and women in Myanmar remains high. Myanmar’s Micronutrient and Food Consumption Survey (2017-2018) results show that nearly one in three children (26.7 percent) under the age of five countrywide suffer from chronic malnutrition (stunting), wasting prevails at 6.7 percent and 35.6% of children suffer from anemia. There are marked geographical and other disparities in the levels of undernutrition, 40.3% of stunting in Chin State vs national average of 23.7%.

 

Nutrition is a high priority on the government’s agenda and is seen as an essential component in improving the development status of the country. The State Counselor nominated in 2017 his Excellency the Minister of Ministry of Health and Sport (MoHS) as the lead Minister and the MoHS to coordinate with all other concerned ministries such as education, agriculture and social welfare. 

 

Through its humanitarian assistance WFP Myanmar contributes to more equitable development and supports for national reconciliation by reducing poverty, food insecurity and undernutrition, responding to disasters and increasing resilience among the most vulnerable. Currently, WFP provides food or cash assistance to nearly 800,000 people in Myanmar of which 73,000 are supported through its Nutrition programme.

 

 

General Information

 

• Title of Post: PD Summer Intern
• Unit: Nutrition
• Supervisor: Head of Unit
• Duration: At least 3 months (May/June to August/September 2020)

 

 

Duties and responsibilities

 

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Unit, the PD Summer Intern will perform the following duties:

 

• Support the implementation of WFP Myanmar’s nutrition strategy
• Assist in the preparation process for the Nutrition Post Distribution Monitoring (PDM), including the development of questionnaires, indicators, sampling protocol and analysis plan
•  Assist the Nutrition unit in the extraction and consolidation of performance related data analysis and the production of data visualization (e.g. infographics)
• Undertake field visits to assist in the training of enumerators, primary data collection and reporting
• Provide training to staff in statistical analysis and data visualization
• Provide training to staff on nutrition software e.g nutrisurvey and optifood
• Perform other related tasks and duties as required 

 

 

Qualifications and experience

 

• Currently enrolled in a master’s degree programme OR a recent graduate of a master’s degree (graduated within the last 6 months)
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, Power Point, Publisher, Outlook)
• Excellent English verbal and writing skills
• Strong research and analytical skills
• Ability to work independently as well as in a team
• Understanding of nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive programming;
• Understanding of statistics and qualitative data analysis;
• Sound knowledge of dietary assessment methods and use at individual and population level
• Data visualization skills
• Knowledge of the Nutrisurvey software application and linear programming software e.g optifood

 

 

Working Languages

 

Working knowledge of English (proficiency/level C) is required.

 

 

Supervision (Level/Methods of Supervision)

 

Under the direct supervision of Head of Nutrition Unit, the incumbent will be provided with close mentoring, guidance and technical supervision. Performance planning and reviews as well as learning and development discussions will be elemental part of the supervision. Head of Programme will be the second-level supervisor. With the support of a comprehensive induction package and assignment of a buddy/mentor, the intern will rapidly become a productive member of the team.

 

 

Training components

 

Throughout their assignment WFP interns have access to an industry leading learning platform, WeLearn. Depending on opportunities and availability of funds, he/she may participate in WFP workshops or seminars, as appropriate.

 

 

Learning Elements

 

At the end of the assignment, the Intern should have:

 

• Very good knowledge of WFP’s humanitarian context in Myanmar and the Nutrition activities in particular
• Practical knowledge of an effective collection, analysis and visualisation of nutrition programmes related data
• Familiarization with WFP’s work in nutrition in emergencies and nutrition monitoring and Evaluation (M&E), such as the implementation of nutrition activities, questionnaire development, data collection, analysis and reporting requirements
• General understanding of WFP’s other activities and tools in Myanmar

 

 

Information on the Country of Assignment

 

• Living conditions in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar

 

Myanmar is one of the least developed countries. Naypyitaw, generally translated into ‘royal capital’, is the current capital of Myanmar, located 320 kilometers (200 miles) north of Yangon, the former capital city. The current official capital and administrative capital of the government was established on 6 November 2005. 

 

• Housing conditions: Large quantity of hotels are available, ranging from luxury 5 start hotels to economy hotels. Some house rentals are available with rental prices higher than in Yangon (although new house purchase prices are cheaper in Nay Pyi Taw than in Yangon). Foreigners can reside within the Hotel Zone and other local neighbourhoods in private rentals. A Long Stay at one of the many hotels in the area is a recommended option for a stay duration less than six months. WFP can facilitate to get the best rate with the hotels which have corporate contract rate. Renting a house is an alternative option and landlords usually ask for 6 - 12 months lease payment in advance Usually, this initial payment will not include any deposit or utilities.

 

• Transportation: No public local transportation currently available, government shuttle buses are available for government staff only. Taxi services are available, however at significantly higher prices than in Yangon. WFP would need to establish ferry services from staff housing to staff location.

 

• Medical Facilities: Hospital facilities are available, but very limited and not at a high enough capacity.

 

• Security: Upon arrival at the duty station, Nay Pyi Taw, office will arrange for a security briefing with United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS).

 

 

Terms and Conditions:

 

• The PD intern will be paid a monthly stipend of approximately USD 310 per month as a contribution towards basic subsistence costs.
• WFP is not responsible for living expenses, arrangements for accommodation, necessary visas and related costs.
• WFP will reimburse travel ticket for candidates who are nationals of developing countries and are pursuing their studies in their home country.
• WFP will recognize candidates’ educational credentials from recognised institutions that have been certified by competent international or national authorities such as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) or Ministries of Education.
• Candidates who bear any of the following relations to WFP staff members are not eligible to apply: sons, daughters, brothers or sisters.

 

 

Closing Date: 12 February 2020

 

VA Reference no: 110541

 

 

Female applicants and qualified applicants from developing countries are especially encouraged to apply.  WFP has zero tolerance for discrimination and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status.

 

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.

 

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