Consultant: Nutritionist - Programme Analyst

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WFP seeks candidates of the highest integrity and professionalism who share our humanitarian principles.

Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis, and we are committed to promoting diversity and gender balance.

ABOUT WFP

The United Nations World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. The mission of WFP is to end global hunger. Every day, WFP works worldwide to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry and that the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly women and children, can access the nutritious food they need.

In emergencies, WFP gets food to where it is needed, saving the lives of victims of war, civil conflict and natural disasters. After an emergency, WFP uses food to help communities rebuild their shattered lives. Present in nearly 80 countries, the organization has the global footprint, deep field presence and local knowledge and relationships necessary to provide access to nutritious food and contribute to the lasting solutions, especially in many of the world’s most remote and fragile areas. We manage an operating budget of approximately $5.9 billion each year, distributing 12.6 billion rations to those most in need. We reach an average of 80 million people with food assistance in around 80 countries each year. The World Food Programme office in Johannesburg is a Regional Office coordinating and supporting the delivery of humanitarian assistance to 11 Southern Africa countries including, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Botswana, Malawi, Madagascar, Democratic Republic of Congo, Congo Brazaville.

For more on WFP and what we do, please go to http://www.wfp.org/videos/zero-hunger

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The Southern African region experiences high levels of stunting, micronutrient deficiencies and growing levels of overweight and obesity. The region is increasingly impacted by climate change as the frequency and intensity of natural disasters such as droughts and floods increase. Due to this and other restrictions such as regulations around COVID-19, the risk for malnutrition is increasing in the region, with the impact experienced disproportionately by the most vulnerable.

Responses to the COVID-19 restrictions in countries such as lockdowns and border closures in 2020, saw an increase in country offices including Cash Based Transfers (CBT) and other social protection activities in their programming. The majority of these were conducted with the objective of meeting food security needs of households. Evidence, however, shows that CBT and other social protection programmes can result in the prevention of malnutrition through the integration of effective nutrition sensitive programming. A sufficient transfer value, alongside affordable and available nutritious food play a significant role in the prevention. Households’ decision on the purchase of nutritious foods and ensuring intra-household food sharing, based on individual needs, also determine nutrition outcome. 

JOB PURPOSE

Nutrition sensitive programming forms an integral part of the RBJ nutrition strategy, working towards understanding and addressing some of the underlying causes of malnutrition. Additionally, exploring opportunities to increase access, availability, consumption, and demand for locally produced, affordable, climate sensitive nutritious foods is essential. A key component of achieving this would be to determine how to ensure the right transfer value and (combination of) modalities in the specific food environment of the participants to ensure access to and consumption of these foods by the individuals requiring them the most. Through the investment case, RBJ nutrition in collaboration with RBJ’s Research Assessment and Monitoring (RAM) team will work on analysis methodologies to enable country offices (COs) to understand how to incorporate nutrition and specifically these nutritious foods into transfer design. This would include setting a value and modality of transfers, in combination with communications that increase demand and measures that ensure adequate supply as necessary and monitoring of outcomes. The analytical work will be led by a Nutritionist - Programme Analyst.   

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

Under the direct supervision of the Regional Nutrition Advisor and in close collaboration with the RB Nutrition team, CO Nutritionists, and WFP Headquarters (NUT Division) and RAM teams, the consultant will:

1. Coordinate the RBJ interdisciplinary team and their contributions in informing the process of designing of nutritious transfers.
2. Train and support team of RB and CO members in using optimization tools such as Cost of the diet (CotD) and Optimus and sensitize them on the value of nutritious transfer analyses and its use in programming. 
3. Identify a country case study or experience with a specific programming need for nutritious transfers. In addition, to explore on developing the analytical method and process for the case study and conduct the analysis.
4. Based on existing evidence, engage with RAM team to map opportunities for nutrition-sensitive programming in Southern Africa
5. Coordinate, facilitate and document the process involved in developing nutritious transfers in the identified programmes, including a monitoring plan
6. Write guidelines based on the experience of the selected countries’ nutritious transfer development which can be used by other CO in the region. 
7. Identify a list of local nutritious climate sensitive foods in selected countries from the region with potential of addressing nutrient gap. 

DELIVERABLES

• A detailed workplan to be prepared and presented at the beginning of the assignment outlining priorities, activities, key milestones, and timelines.
• Monthly reports providing details on progress made, challenges faced as well as activities planned for the following month.
• Case study report, including process and lessons learnt in determining a nutritious transfer from the selected country office, including details of staff trained on tools, countries support and the package of nutritious etc.
• Guidelines on developing and monitoring a nutritious transfer to be used by other CO undertaking the same process.   
• A regional mapping of opportunities for nutrition-sensitive programming developed, in collaboration with RAM team.
• A repository of local nutritious climate sensitive foods from the region and selected countries.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Experience: Advanced degree (Masters) in Nutrition, Public Health, social sciences, or first degree with additional years of experience in a related field.

Language: Fluency in written and spoken English. Intermediate (level B) French and/or Portuguese is an advantage.

DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE

• Six years of progressive professional experience.
• Experience implementing and running nutrition programmes, especially in integrating nutrition in Food Assistance, School Meals, Social Protection, Agriculture and Health sectors.
• Experience in data analysis and modeling; designing and conducting of research and monitoring and evaluation related to nutrition or public health programmes.
• Previous experience in WFP or other UN agencies is an asset.

FUNCTIONAL CAPABILITIES

• Excellent interpersonal skills required.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Strong quantitative analytical skills. Familiarity with Cost of the Diet software, Nutval or Optimus will be an asset. Proficiency in excel will be important.
• Ability to work collaboratively with a diverse team of multi-sectoral experts (nutrition and beyond).
• Excellent planning and time management skills.
• Tact and diplomacy.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Candidates from the Southern African region are encouraged to apply.
• The candidate must be willing to undertake country (field) technical support missions when required to do so to achieve the objectives of the assignment.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

This vacancy announcement will close on Monday, 14 June 2021 at 11:59pm, Johannesburg time.

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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.