JOB PURPOSE The overall purpose of the assignment is to strengthen integration of nutrition into WFPs emergency preparedness and response mechanisms and support regions and countries to implement these; this will facilitate early and effective actions to prevent increases in child wasting in crises affected countries, especially in the 15 priority countries under the joint transition plan. KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive) 1. Strategic and operational support to the programmatic shift in 15 countries Provide strategic, technical, and operational support to facilitate implementation of the programmatic shifts in the countries part of the transition plan. Support will be provided through WFPs Regional Bureaus and directly, when needed. Specifically, focus on technical operational aspects in countries where the Regional Bureaus limited capacity for implementation. When onsite assistance and guidance to country teams is required, support in addressing specific challenges and in finding solutions that country teams can build upon. Offer hands-on support to ensure effective transition to the new programme modalities. Support establishment and implementation of joint workplans at country level for the transition plan on child wasting with particular attention to identifying gaps in early warning systems and preparedness. Develop strategies to address these gaps and enhance the effectiveness of collaborative efforts. Ensure seamless communication and collaboration between Rapid Response Teams member and relevant stakeholders at global, regional and country level, where relevant. When providing support to a country, actively identify and communicate learning in relation to programmatic implementation that can be elevated and used for other countries or region, identify operations research opportunities, as relevant. Facilitate informed discussions and strategic adjustments based on the identified cross-cutting issues. 2. Strengthen the capacity of regional and country offices to integrate nutrition in emergency preparedness and response into their operation. Critically review and identify gaps and opportunities to strengthen integration of nutrition into WFPs corporate early warning and preparedness processes and systems; suggest and develop strategies to address the gaps and build on. Participate in WFPs preparedness cell to advance the integration of nutrition in priority countries emergency preparedness actions, involving other teams and units in the Nutrition and Food Quality Service. Build and maintain a strong collaboration with key actors involved in the preparedness cell and enhance understanding and buy-in for nutrition integration. Reinforce collaboration to advance the creation of an anticipatory action framework centred around safeguarding nutrition and dietary needs, leveraging the World Food Programmes unique strengths and expertise. Identify fundamental lessons learned from WFPs crisis responses including from the deployment of the Nutrition Rapid Response Team and guide the documentation, integration into guidance and tools, dissemination and take up. DELIVERABLES Insights and advancements on programmatic shift are consistently exchanged across global, regional, and national levels, and this reciprocal flow is subject to critical evaluation and necessary adjustments. Operational and technical support effectively provided to Regional Bureaus and Countries Offices to advance the joint transition plan on child wasting. Minimum preparedness measures for nutrition are defined and integrated into the corporate Minimum Preparedness Actions. Opportunities to enhance capacity on integration of nutrition into emergency preparedness and response are identified and delivered on. STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Education: Masters degree in nutrition, Public Health, Food Security, Food systems or other related fields, or Bachelors degree with additional years of relevant professional work experience. Experience: Minimum of 8 years of work experience in international nutrition with a minimum of 5 years work in humanitarian contexts Must have operational experience supporting/managing nutrition emergency responses in different contexts, including familiarity with IMAM/CMAM, simplified approaches, prevention programming, and extensive experience in IYCF-E programming. Work experience with the U.N, preferably with WFP, highly desired; field experience with NGOs is an asset. Demonstrated ability to strategically engage with Government and partners to develop and implement multi-sectoral programmes. Languages: Fluency in English is required, fluency in French is highly desirable. Working knowledge of another UN language. ADDITIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS Knowledge of global nutrition and global humanitarian architecture including the cluster approach and related roles and responsibilities for the nutrition sector. Conceptual and operational knowledge of nutrition in emergencies. Thorough understanding of WFPs mandate and roles. Knowledge and experience with gender concepts. Strong assessment and analytical skills. Knowledge of humanitarian funding mechanisms (CERF, flash appeals, country-based pooled funds, etc). Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work effectively in multicultural settings and teams. Ability to perform duties under pressure with a minimum level of supervision and to cope with highly demanding living/working environment. Excellent written and oral communication skills.
