Programme Policy Officer (Fortification), SC8

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WFP encourages female candidates and people with disabilities to apply.

WFP seeks candidates of the highest integrity and professionalism who share our humanitarian principles. Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis. We are committed to promoting diversity and the principle of equal employment opportunity for all our employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of religion or belief, ethnic or social background, gender, gender identity and disability.

JOB RELATED KEY INFORMATION

Job Title:                           Programme Policy Officer (Fortification)   
Grade:                               SC8 
Type of contract:              Service Contract              
Duration:                           12 months  
Duty Station:                     Dushanbe
Vacancy Number:             206157
Date of Publication:          28 December 2022
Deadline of Application:   11 January 2023

BACKGROUND

Despite positive economic growth and progress in poverty reduction, Tajikistan is still facing a challenging food security and nutrition situation. Recent economic challenges compounded by population growth have contributed to the reclassification of the country as low-income in 2018 and have increased household vulnerability. Malnutrition rates remain the highest in Central Asia, and the number of undernourished has remained stagnant. In this context, in order for WFP to advance the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 2 (Zero Hunger) and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), WFP Tajikistan must ensure that access to and availabity of nutritious foods is made possible across the country. 

In 2019, the Government of Tajikistan approved a mandatory flour fortification law after years of advocacy by national stakeholders and international development partners. Fortification is the practice of deliberately increasing the content of one or more micronutrients (i.e., vitamins and minerals) in a food or condiment to improve the nutritional quality of the food supply and provide a public health benefit with minimal risk to health. As well as increasing the nutritional content of staple foods, the addition of micronutrients can help to restore the micronutrient content lost during processing. Implementation of the law has yet to take place. More advocacy is needed.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

Within the duty station, the incumbent will coordinate closely with the head of nutrition team and the supply chain unit. Direct line supervision of the incumbent will rest with the fortification specialist in WFP country office with further technical support and guidance being provided by the country office’s human development outcome manager and the Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific’s food safety and quality / fortification team. The incumbent is expected to perform the following duties and responsibilities:
 

I. Coordination with Fortification Stakeholders
• Along with the fortification specialist, represent WFP in various technical forums with key government officials involved in fortification at the central and subnational level, establishing and strenghthening linkages as required (e.g., Ministry of Health and Social Protection; Ministry of Industry and New Technologies; Agency of Standardization, Metrology, Certification and Trade Inspection; State Unitary Enterprise “Ghalla”, etc.). 
• Lead coordination among the WFP technical teams, UN agencies, international financial institutions, nongovernmental organizations, development partners and private sector stakeholders to ensure synergies with WFP’s fortification efforts are incorporated in project implementation and to engage in joint or complementary initiatives where possible.
• Serve as WFP’s fortificaiton liaison to the Scaling Up Nutrition platform and facilitate the establishment of the Scaling Up Nutrition Business Network in relation to fortification. 
• Support realizing the agreed upon actions from the millers’ fortification forums organized by WFP in June and November 2022. This will include following-up with participating milling companies to ensure their peparations for fortification are progressing as per their committments.
• Coordinate with external stakeholders on a planned micronutrient survey and any other survey or analysis that will support longer-term fortification planning and implementation.
• Assist with developing learning exchanges among field offices, with other development partners and through South-South and triangular cooperation.
• Support the fortification specialist in understanding local context and strategic issues pertaining to fortification in Tajikistan.
 

II. Internal Implementation
• Coordinate with field offices and the Communication, Advocacy, and Marketing unit to develop success stories, fact sheets, information packets, social media posts, mass media pieces, and other advocacy and information sharing materials for a wide range of audiences as relates to fortification.
• Support the nutrition team in developing relevant social and behaviour change communication activities targeting communities in relation to understanding the benefits of consuming fortified foods;
• Participate (as necessary) in meetings and activities such as studies and surveys related to wheat flour fortification and support other initiatives when required.
• Update the cost-benefit analysis regarding fortification of diverse foods, as necessary.
• Research, develop, and diversify programming through sourcing and obtaining alternative funding streams, including through initiation of concept notes and proposals.
• Proactively advise and support on mobilization of WFP resources and capabilities for an effective and sustainable fortification project.
• Hold regular meetings and/or use other innovative and effective ways to ensure proper information sharing and communication within the team/staff members, ensuring documentation of key points.
• Support with activities relevant to internal WFP processes and procedures in accordance with all deadlines (e.g., potential partner proposals, field level agreements, and service provision processes and contracts; invoice/transfers clearances; corporate systems such as WINGS/COMET; monthly deliverables such as mission plans, country brief inputs and bank forecast inputs; responding to official letters requesting support or information; etc.).
• Support the implementation of the WFP Tajikistan country stragegic plan through ensuring cross-cutting efforts such as nutrition-sensitivity, gender and diversity inclusion, protection and accountability, and capacity development, are integrated throughout the portfolio and to ensure equal participation and consideration of women and men, boys and girls, and people living with specific needs and/or disabilities.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

• Product Delivery
• Flexibility
• Analytical capacity
• Data presentation / Ability to present complex ideas and data in a simple manner
• Excellent writing and communication skills in English

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Experience: At least one year of relevant professional experience in relevant filed with Advanced University Degree or 3 years of relevant professional experience with First University Degree in the fields of public health, nutrition, political science or economics.
• Academic and / or professional background in economic research
• Experience working with food security and nutrition indicators
• Excellent analytical skills, resourcefulness, advocacy and initiative is required. 
• Experience working in international organisation and/or nongovernmental organization is strongly desirable. 

Education: Advanced University Degree in public health, nutrition, Political science or economics Or First University degree with additional years of relevant professional experience and/or training courses. 

Language: Fluency (level C) in English language, as well as Tajik and/or Russian. 
 

DESIRABLE KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS

• Full knowledge of computer applications, such as MS Office. 
• Experience with using various data analysis and visualization packages
• Demonstrated understanding of food supply chains and processing; experience with private sector engagement and working in development setting would be an advantage.

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WFP is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce. WFP has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, abuse of authority or discrimination. All selected candidates will, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.  

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.