Technical Officer, Nutrition

Contract

This is a P-3 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 5 years of experience, depending on education. More about P-3 contracts and their salaries.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

Despite progress, Timor-Leste is still among the highest prevalence of malnutrition in the world. 46% of children suffer from chronic malnutrition or stunting; 24% suffer from acute malnutrition or wasting and 40% are anemic. The prevalence of both stunting and wasting exceed the “very high” WHO classification of public health significance, while the prevalence of anemia is a “severe” public health problem. The basic and intermediate drivers of malnutrition such as inadequate dietary intake and access to health/nutrition care and water and sanitation are yet health care are significant problems. These are further complicated by a host of basic factors such as poverty, socio cultural norms and taboos that shape food choices and predispose vulnerable population groups to malnutrition.

The need to scale-up and improve the quality of existing nutrition interventions focusing during the 1000 days window of opportunity to improve maternal, new-born, infant and young child health is clear. However, many coordination and capacity issues impede robust nutrition service delivery. In recent years, the government of Timor Leste support for nutrition has increased with nutrition increasingly being recognized as a key pillar for national development. Despite this increased impetus for nutrition, on ground actions are impeded by many challenges.

The recent health sector strategic plan for nutrition (draft) identified specific challengers within the nutrition service delivery system. These included capacity gaps of the health care workforce to fulfil the nutrition service delivery demands at all levels of the health care system across the country; poor coordination and cooperation and lack of coherence across the different programmes that deliver nutrition service e.g. Health Promotion/health environment/maternal child health and nutrition, and data gaps that hinder informed policy making. Therefore, it is clear that the health system nutrition service delivery needs to be supported in order to provide the requisite nutrition care for mothers and children.

There are many technical agencies working on nutrition in the country, notably USAID, DFAT, EU and UN agencies such as UNICEF and FAO. WHO's role is to provide policy guidance and evidence based strong technical support to improve strategic nutrition service delivery to improve operational actions. In this regard WHO proposes to obtain the services of a consultant to enhance the support provided by WCO to the ministry of health to scale up and increase the efficiency of nutrition service delivery in Timor Leste.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the direct supervision of Technical Officer- Epidemiology and overall supervision of WHO Representative, the incumbent will perform the following duties:

1.Evaluate gaps in health /nutrition system in relation to the capacity and performance of nutrition workers at community level, to deliver quality basic nutrition interventions. (It is expected that the consultant will gather basic quantitative data and qualitative data to produce the evaluation). Based on this information, develop plans and conduct prioritized capacity building and performance support activities for community nutrition workers.

2. Assess the coordination mechanisms between nutrition and other units including Reproductive, maternal, neonatal, child and adolescent health, school health and NCDs at different levels of governance and evaluate the current status of integration of nutrition service delivery in terms of implementation of prioritized essential nutrition actions through programme packages.

3. Holdstakeholder discussions and identify gaps and solutions to improve the coordination, communication and coherence of nutrition service delivery.

4.Provide technical support during the meetings with relevant staff from the different units within the MOH which are essential in delivery of nutrition services to reach consensus on operational strategies to improve coordination across nutrition service delivery.

5.Provide technical input and support the revision of hospital dietetic manual and training module.

6. Submit an end of assignment report (mandatory).

7. Perform any other duties, as assigned by the supervisor.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University degree in medicine, nutrition, pharmacy or another relevant field. Desirable: Advanced university degree in medicine/ nutrition/ public health.

Experience

Essential: At least 5 years of experience in the area of nutrition and health systems, including on nutrition service delivery, advocacy and communication. Demonstrated exposure at international level. Desirable:

Functional Skills

- Ability to analyse and interpret diverse information, draw out the keyinformation and translate evidence into context specific and operational solutions.

- Skills and experience in health/nutrition programme service delivery.

- Strong organization skills with the ability to plan, perform, prioritize multiple tasks under tight deadlines.

Desirable:Good knowledge of WHO/UN administrative and financial rules, processes and procedures.

Other Skills (e.g.: IT):

Excellent knowledge of computer applications, particularly word and excel and ability to make oral and written presentations.

WHO Competencies

1. Teamwork 2. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences 3. Communication 4. Producing results 5. Ensuring the effective use of resources

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Desirable:

REMUNERATION

WHO salaries for staff in the Professional category are calculated in US dollars. The remuneration for the above position comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 62,120 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable), a variable post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station, and currently amounts to USD 2366 per month for the duty station indicated above. Other benefits include 30 days of annual leave, allowances for dependent family members, home leave, and an education grant for dependent children.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level

• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

• A written test may be used as a form of screening.

• In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.

• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual.

• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.

• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.

• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.

• WHO's workforce adheres to the WHO Values Charter and is committed to put the WHO Values into practice.

• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

• WHO has a mobility policy which can be found at the following link: http://www.who.int/employment/en/. Candidates appointed to an international post with WHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.

• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.

• *For WHO General Service staff who do not meet the minimum educational qualifications, please see e-Manual III.4.1, para 220.