Assistant Nutrition Officer

Contract

This is a UNV National Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Specialist contracts.

In Senegal, WFP plays an important role in supporting country-led social protection systems and resilience building framework, ensuring that the nutrition needs of the poorest and most vulnerable are met. WFP provides food and nutrition assistance in all 14 regions of Senegal and aims to target the most vulnerable communities with an integrated assistance package for better results. WFP envisions a hunger free Senegal, in which food-insecure households have access to adequate nutritious food all year around; and vulnerable populations are resilient to shocks and able to rely on integrated sustainable food systems. WFP maintains a twin track response - responding to shocks and assisting populations in their early recovery, while continuing efforts to build resilience in anticipation of shocks with a focus on the same vulnerable communities over two to three years. Overall activities include Targeted Food Assistance (TFA), Supplementary Feeding (SF), School Feeding (SF) and Food Assistance for Assets (FFA). WFP is extending the R4 Rural Resilience Initiative, which aims at building vulnerable communities’ resilience to climate change through the integration of four risk management strategies based on assets creation (FFA), agricultural micro insurance, credit and savings. WFP is also prioritizing local procurement through the Purchase from African for Africa (PAA) partnership with FAO and Brazil - and Cash-Based Transfers (CBT). In Senegal, WFP is implementation a strategic plan covering the period from 2019 to 2023. WFP Senegal Country Office is also engaged in the provision of strategic and technical assistance for the implementation of large-scale nutrition interventions in response to emergency and protracted nutrition crisis and for the development of national Nutrition Capacity in Senegal. WFP Senegal uses the following strategies to provide response for malnutrition issues: Nutrition-specific intervention through the prevention of acute malnutrition and stunting in children 6-23 months and women and the treatment of undernutrition in children 6-59 months Nutrition sensitive intervention through:
Integrated approach to improve the nutritional status of children and women through an integrated approach; CBT & Nutrition through nutritional assistance to children and pregnant and lactating women; HIV & Nutrition through food and nutrition assistance; Micronutrient fortification of food through rice fortification for school canteens;

This UNV assignment is part of WFP following nutrition objectives in the country: o Providing children and pregnant and breastfeeding women with specialized nutritious food to treat and prevent malnutrition o Promoting awareness on nutrition and infant feeding practices o Supporting government efforts to address vitamin and mineral deficiencies including through salt iodization and food fortification.

Under the direct supervision of the Nutrition Programme Officer, the UNV volunteer will perform the following tasks o Support the implementation of the Nutrition Projects in WFP intervention areas; o Strengthen the continuous monitoring of prevention and treatment of acute malnutrition activities with partners; o Support the distribution of nutritional inputs in collaboration with cooperating partner for the prevention of chronic malnutrition among non-malnourished children aged 6-23 months, pregnant, and lactating women; o Provide technical support and guidance to regional nutrition partners (cooperating partners, communities and NGOs) in the planning and implementation of nutrition-sensitive activities supported by WFP; o Assist cooperating partners at the regional level in the promotion of community nutrition activities (Infant and Young Child Feeding) through the consolidation of the collaboration initiated with community level actors; o Assist cooperating partners in identifying training/retraining needs, planning and organizing training/retraining on MAM management; o Assess partners' resource needs, local storage conditions, and monitor the use of inputs made available to the region by WFP; o Participate in partner meetings to review and monitor the implementation of interventions, recommendations and contracts with partners ; o Support cooperating partners, communities and NGOs in the collection, analysis of data and preparation of technical reports related to WFP-supported interventions; o Analyze, consolidate and submit the validated technical report on the implementation of WFP supported interventions in the region (monthly statistical report, distribution report, etc.); o Participate in food security and nutrition assessments as requested by the country office; o Prepare reports (weekly sitrep, monthly quantitative report, quarterly quantitative and narrative report and final quantitative and narrative report including all indicators; o Provide technical guidance on the design and implementation of nutrition specific (prevention and treatment of maternal and child malnutrition) and nutrition sensitive interventions (school feeding, livelihoods support programmes, social protection, etc.)
o Support the management of nutrition interventions in WFP emergency, relief and development assistance. o Work closely and collaboratively with colleagues and partners to analyze programme data and strengthen programme implementation based on the data; o Sustain liaison with key counterparts, including Government and national organizations, UN agencies, NGOs and private sector engaged in the field of food security / nutrition, and contribute to efforts in building effective and collaborative relations with the local authorities o Support trainingrequired coaching to WFP and cooperating partners’ staffs in using required tools/approaches to provide nutritional assistance o And accomplish all other tasks as requested by WFP.

13. Results/expected outputs

General understanding of WFP overall operations and activities in Senegal Become familiar with the principal components of WFP’s strategy in Senegal Good knowledge of Nutrition programmin Strong understanding of integrated risk management approaches Programme activities coordinated. Project sites visited. Coordination meetings attended.

• As an active World Food Programme team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to World Food Programme and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including: At the end of the achievement of the objectives assigned to the volunteer, the following results are expected The implementation of the Nutrition Projects in the WFP intervention zones are supported; The permanent monitoring of prevention activities and treatment of acute malnutrition are strengthened with good collaboration with partners; The distribution of nutritional inputs is accompanied in collaboration with health workers for the prevention of chronic malnutrition among non-malnourished children aged 6-23 months and pregnant and breastfeeding women; Technical support and guidance is provided to regional level nutrition partners (cooperating partners, communities and NGOs) in planning and implementing WFP-supported nutrition sensitivity activities The technical capacity of colleagues and partners in the prevention and management of acute malnutrition and input management is strengthened; Partners in a timely manner implement planned nutrition-sensitive activities and micronutrient fortification; WFP inputs are distributed and available at the distribution sites (health facilities and communities) in accordance with the distribution plan; Activity and statistical reports are prepared monthly and submitted on time;

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to World Food Programme; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to World Food Programme procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; • Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and World Food Programme in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority; • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; • Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. • Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities;

food security and/or nutrition programme management • Experience in supporting national, bilateral or multilateral strategic and operational nutrition plans • Experience in the implementation of food security and nutrition related activities • Experience or exposure to emergency nutrition response • Good computer knowledge and skills. • Good analytical and drafting skills • General knowledge of UN policies, rules, regulations and procedures governing administration • Other skills : o Ability to engage effectively with a wide range of actors from multicultural background, including those in the international development and humanitarian community and governments. o Ability to work in a multicultural environment with sound interpersonal and communications skills. o Ability to handle any other additional tasks as requested by his supervisor.

The assignment will take place in the nation’s capital, Dakar, a family duty station (Hardship classification A) with eventual missions to the region. It is located on the Cap-Vert peninsula on the Atlantic coast and has a population of 3,732,2841. Its standard time zone is UTC/GMT+0 hours, and its climate is generally warm. Dakar has a hot semi-arid climate, with a short rainy season and a lengthy dry season. Dakar between December and May is usually pleasantly warm with daily temperatures around 24–27 °C (75–81 °F). Dakar is home to multiple national and regional banks as well as numerous international organizations. The living conditions are good with occasional ruptures in electricity requiring many civil servants to use generators. Accommodations can be found with all required amenities (hot water, almost 24 hours electricity, internet, etc…), are in general good and the choice is wide. It is possible to rent unfurnished and furnished accommodations. UN Volunteers can also co-rent and share private accommodations, which must comply with Minimum Operating Residential Security Standards (MORSS). Transportation in town can be easily arranged through local taxis. There are many social or recreational opportunities outside of work. Senegal is an open country that enjoys social stability resulting from the smooth functioning of state institutions. Senegal is also a popular tourist destination. The reception and spontaneous hospitality of Senegalese are among the characteristic features of this West African country. The country is at the level of Security 2, which corresponds to "Low", with the exception of the Casamance natural region (administrative regions of Kolda, Sédhiou and Ziguinchor) where acts of banditry are often reported but also the presence of Elements of the Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance (MFDC) and unexploded ordnance (UXO). All United Nations personnel must scrupulously comply with UNDSS procedures and recommendations during their assignment to Senegal. Thefts and burglary are the main incidents against UN personnel. Small arms proliferation and organized cross-border crime often occur in suburban areas on major trade routes. There is no R&R entitlement in Senegal. The access to health services in Dakar is good. The yellow fever vaccine is compulsory and vaccination cards should be presented at the entrance. Vaccinations against Meningococcal Meningitis and Hepatitis A and B are also recommended. The basic drugs are available in pharmacies, but it is recommended to bring specific prescription drugs. Many hotels, restaurants and large businesses in Senegal accept the main international credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, etc.). It is also possible to withdraw cash from automatic telling machines found in all the major cities. To enter Senegal, a valid passport is required. ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) nationals are not required an entry visa. Nationals of other countries may be required an entry visa or long stay visa. They should contact the closest Senegalese representation. Senegalese Embassies and consulates in various West African countries and in other parts of the world issue visas prior to travel.

End with encouraging but cautioning statement such as “XXX is a unique country and XXX is a unique (humanitarian) operation. It provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential.