National Programme Policy Officer (Public Health) NOB - Baghdad, Iraq

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) works in more than 80 countries around the world.  In 2018, WFP assisted approximately 780,000 people in Iraq, focusing on saving lives and protecting livelihoods, supporting the Government of Iraq's social safety nets towards Zero Hunger.  The situation of internally displaced people (IDPs) and refugees remains precarious following the return process that began in 2018.  Through emergency assistance to IDPs and refugees, and recovery and reconstruction activities for returnees, WFP is helping the Iraqi Government reduce vulnerability and build people’s resilience and food security.  For more information, see wfp.org/countries/iraq

Rates of malnutrition are relatively low in Iraq. According to the 2018 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), 2.9 percent of children under 5 are moderately underweight, while 2.5 percent suffer moderate or severe wasting, 9.9 percent suffer from moderate or severe stunting and 6.6 percent are overweight. Despite the low malnutrition prevalence, Iraq faces a burden of hidden hunger.   According to the 2012 Micronutrient Assessment and Response (MNAR) survey report, 19 percent of non-pregnant women (aged 15-49) years had anemia and 74.5 percent suffered from Vitamin D deficiency. The prevalence of anemia in children aged 6-59 months was 22.9 percent with high prevalence rates (67 percent) in children aged 6-11 months. According to the 2015 STEP survey by WHO, the prevalence of overweight and obesity was also high among adults, especially women (18+). An estimated one third of the entire population was obese (33.5 percent) and an additional one third was overweight (31.9 percent).   In the Iraq CSP 2020 – 2024, WFP will increase the level of holistic and integrated nutrition-sensitive emergency response, human capital development and agricultural interventions aimed at improving the nutritional status of all age groups, especially infants, young children, and women. WFP will introduce community-based interventions emphasizing a gender-transformative approach to nutrition using social and behavior change communications methods tailored to the diverse needs of women, men, girls and boys in the different communities with special attention to the triple burden of malnutrition.

To provide support to policy and programme activities that effectively meet food assistance needs.

1. Support to program development and planning

• Provide technical and operational support throughout all stages of SBCC processes.

• Prepare required documentation/materials for SBCC activities.

2. Program management, monitoring and delivery of results.

• Work closely and collaboratively with colleagues and partners to discuss operational  and implementation issues, provide solutions, recommendations
    and/or alert appropriate officials and stakeholders for SBCC activities.

3. Technical and operational support to program implementation

• Conduct regular program field visits and/or exchange information with partners/stakeholders to assess progress and provide technical support, take 
    appropriate action to resolve issues and/or refer to relevant officials for resolution.

• Provide technical and operational support to government counterparts, NGO partners, UN system partners and other country office partners/donors 
   on the application and understanding of WFP policies,  strategies, processes and best practices on SBCC related issues to support program 
   implementation, operations and delivery of results.

4. Support SBCC activities across WFP CSP relevant SOs.

• Act as WFP lead for all activities included within SBCC.

• Implement and manage all SBCC activities as in the approved CSP implementation plan.

• Determine the most appropriate media and channels for reaching the different target audiences for implementing SBCC.
 • In collaboration with nutrition and other staff of WFP country team, support the development of SBCC related training agendas as well as the planning
    and execution of any such capacity strengthening events.

5. Networking and partnership building

• Build and sustain effective close working partnerships with public health/nutrition sector government counterparts and national stakeholders through
   active sharing of information and knowledge to facilitate   program implementation and build capacity of stakeholders to achieve program goals.

• Engage in resource mobilization efforts for SBCC (e.g. preparing proposals, raising funds, etc.) as required.

6. Performing other duties as requested by the supervisor.

Education: Advanced level Master's degree is preferred. Minimum requirement is a first level university degree in Public Health, Nutrition, Communication for development, or related fields of study. 

• Excellent communication, coordination and facilitation skills

• Strong analytical and report writing skills

• Proven ability to conceptualize, develop, plan and manage programmes, leadership and teamwork abilities, good analytical, negotiation, communication and advocacy skills

• Ability to work in a team, and establish effective working relationships with person of different national and culture backgrounds

• Good computer knowledge and skills

• Ability to work under tight deadlines and simultaneously manage multiple tasks in an autonomous manner

• Previous work experience with INGOs and UN Organization is desirable

• Ability to handle any other additional tasks as requested

Position Title: Programme Policy Officer (Public Health)

Grade: National Officer- Level B (NOB)

Contract: Fixed-Term (FT) - One-year renewable

Duty Station/travel: Baghdad with frequent travel inside Iraq and occationally abroad

Salary: Starting at USD 45,116 net per annum; Danger pay USD 650 per month.

Medical Plan: International valid medical plan for the staff member, spouse and dependents children under 18 years

Annual leave: 30 working days per annum

Sunday 9th February 2020

Female applicants are encouraged to apply