Nutritionist

Context

Poverty is widespread in Comoros, where nearly 45 percent of the population lives below the national poverty line (World Bank, 2004). Although showing slight improvement since 2000, the country’s Global Hunger Index core has remained high at 29.5: a score reflecting ‘alarming’ indicators for undernutrition, child malnutrition and child mortality, and ranking Comoros fourth worst out of 120 countries (IFPRI, 2014). On the nutrition situation, in addition to a 30 percent prevalence of stunting (DHS, 2012) and an 11 percent rate of wasting (UNICEF 2008-12), Comoros has an overweight prevalence of 10.9 percent among children (DHS 2012), indicating a double burden of malnutrition. This is further reflected by a recent rapid survey that revealed a 24 percent prevalence of hypertension and about 5 percent of diabetes in the adult population.

Comoros joined the SUN (Scaling up nutrition) movement on 3^rd December 2013 and by so doing committed to developing a common results framework, establishing multisectoral platforms to respond to nutrition sensitive and specific interventions. As a member of SUN there are several accountabilities that the Government needs to be fully engaged in however there is currently limited capacity to fully do so.

Following an interagency mission (FAO, IFAD, UNFPA, UNICEF, WFP, WHO) in February 2015, it was recommended that given the context of the nutrition situation in the country and the lack of capacity to scale up nutrition interventions, it was recommended that technical capacity through joint funding for a dedicated resource person with adequate expertise in nutrition programming to accompany government and the permanent multi-sectoral platform be solicited. The appointed Nutritionist will be hosted under the Resident Coordinator’s office, given that the priority support to be rendered by this individual pertains to coordination.

Job purpose

To facilitate SUN (Scaling up Nutrition) activities, to design and manage large-scale nutrition programs in a complex environment in order to contribute to meeting the nutritional needs of beneficiaries within the country. To provide technical advice and guidance to the government on nutrition strategies, program design and implementation.

Key responsibilities (not all-inclusive, within delegated authority)

1. Translate national policies into nutrition strategies, program guidance, implementation modalities and operations.
2. Provide technical and strategic advice to the government on nutrition specific and nutrition sensitive program and policy issues including assessment and analysis, the choice of objectives, activities for nutrition specific and nutrition sensitive and food-based approaches programming in line with government standards and processes.
3. Provide technical support on national nutrition initiatives, including the development of national government policies related to nutrition (including health, social protection, food systems and agriculture, and education policies) as well as nutrition strategies, action plans, protocols and guidelines in line with the SUN movement and international guidance and current evidence.
4. Support the design and the coordinated implementation of national nutrition programs and manage large-scale government nutrition programs.
5. Oversee and provide technical support on country initiatives on research and evidence-building in nutrition.
6. Work with national government, and UN agencies, in particular FAO, WFP, UNICEF and UNFPA staff to ensure effective advocacy, design and delivery of national nutrition programs.
7. Oversee or advise on operational partnerships and coordination, including inter-agency collaboration, to ensure a strong multi-sectorial response to nutrition in both emergency and non-emergency settings.
8. Participate in the development of national integrated food and nutrition security implementation plan.
9. Provide technical support in the design and management of nutrition specific programs such as MAM, SAM, fortification, SBCC, IYCF, acute malnutrition and stunting prevention.
10. Provide guidance and technical support in mainstreaming nutrition in food systems, agriculture, WASH, social protection and education policies, strategies and programs.
6. Oversee and prepare accurate and timely reporting and learning, contributing to a knowledge base that informs decision making of government and other stakeholders.
7. Represent government at regional, national and international meetings to contribute to technical discussions, exchange experiences, advocate for nutrition interventions and identify areas of potential collaboration.
8. Identify capacity gaps in the response to nutrition programs and support government to build this capacity.
9. Provide technical assistance, guidance and analysis related to surveys, assessments, monitoring and reporting of government nutrition activities.
10. Incorporate gender perspectives in all areas of work, to ensure equal participation of women and men.
11. Contribute to emergency preparedness actions, providing technical recommendations on contingency planning, risk analysis and early warning related to food and nutrition insecurity.
12. Support resource mobilization efforts for nutrition programs.

Desired experience

• Experience in strategic planning at country level.
• Experience in design for nutrition specific and nutrition sensitive programs or approaches (direct or with national governments).
• Experience building strategic partnerships with multiple government ministries to raise awareness on nutrition related issues.
• Experience presenting nutrition findings/global evidence to governments to build country specific nutrition plans/programs.
• Experience working in emergencies and development context in multiple countries.
• Experience working with multi-functional teams.

Minimum academic qualifications

Education: Advanced University degree in Nutrition, Public Health Nutrition or other relevant field.

Language: Fluency (level C) in English and French language is required.

Experience: The incumbent should have 5 years of progressive technical experience in nutrition. Proven experience in facilitating and coordinating nutrition programs in collaboration with the government is essential. Experience working on moderate acute malnutrition, severe acute malnutrition and stunting prevention programs is an asset.  Experience in food based approaches in addressing malnutrition and in integrating nutrition into agricultural and food security policies and programs is an added advantage.

Duration

One year consultancy, possibility for renewal for another year based on the availability of funds. This position is co-funded by FAO, WFP, UNICEF and UNFPA. The position will be housed under the Resident Coordinator’s office in Moroni, Comoros.

Contact

Kindly submit your application, including cover letter, curriculum vitae and the attached P11 form, to the UNDP HR officer Raichat Mohamed Ali at Raichat.mohamed.ali@undp.org