National Nutrition Specialist

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FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender and nationality

People with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply

All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality

The incumbent may be re-assigned to different activities and/or duty stations depending on the evolving needs of the Organization

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Promoting dietary diversity and ensuring diet quality during pregnancy are proven interventions to safeguard good pregnancy outcomes and healthy growth of infants during the 1000 days window of opportunity that covers from the woman's pregnancy until her child's 2nd birthday. This is the crux of the recently endorsed Multi Sector National Action Plan for Nutrition (MS-NPAN) in Myanmar. FAO is engaged in supporting food-based nutrition strategies to improve diets and nutrition of mothers and children within the 2030 Agenda. Among these strategies, the balanced food plate, as a counselling and planning tool to help visualize Food-Based Dietary Guidelines (FBDGs), underpins efforts to promote diet diversity and a healthy lifestyle. FAO has supported a number of countries in the development of a “food plate/graphic”. A food graphic can be used for advocacy purposes, to ensure that food-related policies and programs in sectors such as agriculture, trade, and social protection are in line with FBDGs, and as a counselling tool to promote adequate nutrient intake and nutrition to promote overall health and prevent chronic diseases. FAO intends to develop a number of balanced food plate/graphics specifically catered to pregnant and lactating mothers, reflecting diverse dietary patterns across the country under a Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP) titled ‘Technical assistance in development of strategic tools for planning agriculture diversification and dietary improvement’.

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Myanmar and under the technical guidance of the Senior Nutrition & Food systems Officer, RAP (Lead Technical Officer), direct technical supervision of the International Nutrition Technical Expert, in close collaboration with AFAOR (Programme) the FIRST Food Security and Nutrition Policy Specialist, Senior Land Tenure Adviser, and in consultation with Nutrition Officer in FAO’s Nutrition and Food Systems Division (ESN, HQ).

The incumbent will assist in the development and day-to-day operation in rolling out a Balanced Food Plate/Graphic for pregnant and lactating women, in close collaboration with the National Nutrition Centre (NNC) under Ministry of Health and Sports and with the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation (MoALI).

• Establish a good working relationship with National Nutrition Centre (NNC) and the nutrition division of Department of Medical Research (DMR), Ministry of Health and Sports; Department of Planning and Food Science and Technology Department, Ministry of Health and Sports and with the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation (MoALI), particularly Department of Planning (DoP).

• Establish and organize logistics of the Technical Task Force meetings chaired by the NNC and formed by technical experts in nutrition and food security from DMR, MoALI, UN agencies, and Civil Society Organizations engaged in Social Behaviour Change Communication.

• Draft theory of change report for roll-out of graphic with inputs from project team, supervisors and the Technical Task Team.

• Assist the International Nutrition Technical Expert in aligning the Food Plate/Graphic development with other ongoing related technical initiatives (e.g. cost of diet analysis and WFP’s ongoing ‘Fill the Nutrient Gap’ analysis).

• Work with the Nutrition Communication Consultant in the development of key messages to be used in conjunction with the food plate for supporting the nutrition education programmes.

• Assist the International Nutrition Technical Expert, in consultation with the Technical Task Force, to adapt the dietary recommendations for the targeted groups so that messages are culturally appropriate and easier to understand.

• Conduct Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), based on qualitative research method, with key target populations (pregnant and lactating mothers) in diverse agro-ecological zones, socio-economic and age groups to gather information on key foods consumed, food preparation, potential taboos and any relevant gaps in knowledge.

• Cross-check results of FGDs with dietary recommendations, complementary messages and proportions identified by the project.

• Ensure coherence and alignment with other ongoing project activities related to crop suitability assessment. Both streams of work will inform the selection of States/Regions and jointly articulate a set of key recommendations for the agriculture sector to address malnutrition in Myanmar.

• Ensure technical validity of counselling/communication materials developed by the National Nutrition Communication Consultant and creative agency hired under the project.

• Facilitate/participate in Training of Trainers (ToT) workshops at national and regional level to help teachers, nutritionists, health professionals and/or community leaders become effective educators and promoters of the food graphic.

• Facilitate advocacy workshop for dissemination of Food Plate/Graphic.

• Identify agriculture policy messages as linked with food plate and FBDG, submitted as policy brief.

• Participate in nutrition meetings in Myanmar as required.

• Support Myanmar office on other nutrition-related tasks as required.

• Advanced University Degree in Nutrition, dietetics, Public Health nutrition, Human Sciences, Anthropology, Food Science or a closely related field.

• Minimum 5 years relevant experience in nutrition, public health or related field.

• Working knowledge of English
• Myanmar National

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

• Conversant with and knowledgeable of food and nutrition security situation in Myanmar

• Experience with Optifoods or other diet modelling techniques/linear programming preferred.

• Strong working relations with Government Ministries.

• Experience in working with a UN agency or international NGO is desirable.

• Demonstrated experience in the development of Food-based Dietary Guidelines and nutrition counselling.

• Experience in engaging with diverse nutrition stakeholders.

• Experience in writing and publishing technical reports for the government, international developmental agency or international NGO.

• Previous working experience in another low and medium country is desirable.

Excellent communication in both oral and written English.
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Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency

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