Food and Nutrition Specialist

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

Within the multidisciplinary teamwork, nutrition is both a core technical thematic and a cross-cutting issue and is therefore a key priority for the office. Current projects are related to nutrition mainstreaming in agriculture policies and investment plans at county and regional level; school food and nutrition; nutrition education; food based dietary guidelines; nutrition sensitive value chain; nutrition sensitive social protection; etc. The office also provide support to IFNA countries in the implementation of their IFNA Framework and Action Plan. SFE Nutrition Team supports capacity building and is facilitating policy dialogue and advocacy initiatives with Parliamentarians and other relevant stakeholders to advance food security and nutrition agenda in the region.

Under the under the overall guidance of the FAO Representative to AU & UNECA and Subregional coordination for Eastern Africa (SRC SFE), the direct supervision of the SFE Nutrition Officer and in collaboration with the SFE MDT technical specialists, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: • Support JICA IFNA focused countries in the Eastern Africa sub region (Ethiopia and Kenya) in implementing their IFNA country strategy; • Support documentation and dissemination of good practices and lessons learnt on implementing IFNA country framework and action plan. • Contribute to active fundraising for projects on integrated food security and nutrition programming under the IFNA; • Provide technical and policy support to the Africa Union and its Members States and relevant stakeholders for improved food security, nutrition and sustainable agriculture which can support IFNA strategy and action plan; • Analyze relevant food systems and nutrition related technical social, economic and environmental information, data and/or statistics for input in various documents to inform policy and programming
• Facilitate partner dialogue, to explore and develop potential areas of collaboration in the area of food and nutrition security • Provide technical support to FAO country Offices on food systems and nutrition programming • Plan, organize and participate in capacity development activities related to food systems and nutrition, and oversee the development of related materials and tools; • Participate in and follow-up recommendations of meetings, consultations and conferences, the production of required materials and the provision of information and assistance to partners • Perform other related duties, as required.

Adaptability and Flexibility Commitment and Motivation Commitment to Continuous Learning Communication Creativity Ethics and Values Judgement and Decision-making Knowledge Sharing Leadership Planning and Organizing Professionalism Respect for Diversity Self-Management

international development programming, most particularly in policy assistance related to food security and nutrition, food systems and/or sustainable agriculture, • Demonstrated experience in dealing with government officials, development partners and other country level stakeholders for the formulation, implementation support or evaluation of nutrition, food security, agri-food systems investment; • Relevance of experience in investment design, implementation support and evaluation procedures of FAO’s main development partners, in particular the JICA, the European Union, the World Bank, the International Funds for Agriculture and Development (IFAD), etc. • Work experience food value chain and food processes that are sensitive to integrating nutrition ; • Extent and relevance of experience in collecting, managing and analysing nutrition and food systems related information and data • Extent and relevance of experience in the preparation, editing and revision of tech-nical/scientific documents and in organizing meetings, workshops and training courses • Work experience in different geographical areas, particularly in field positions in Africa.

Addis Ababa (meaning new flower) the capital and largest city of Ethiopia is the duty station of the assignment. With a population of about 4.8 million, it is situated at 2,355m above sea level (it is advisable to take precautionary measures to avoid some health problems that might occur because of high altitude). With an average high-temperature of 20°C (68°F) and an average low-temperature of 10°C (53.6°F), days are mild to warm year-round with cooler nights (Warm dressing including cardigans/warm jackets is advised). March-April is the small rainy season while mid-June to September is the peak rainy season. The time zone in Ethiopia is East Africa Time (EAT) (UTC+03). Getting to Addis Ababa is easy as Ethiopia has the oldest Ethiopian Airlines (Ethiopian) which is the flag carrier of Ethiopia. During the past seventy plus years, Ethiopian has become one of the continent's leading carriers, unrivalled in Africa for efficiency and operational success, turning profits for almost all the years of its existence. Ethiopian currently serves 100 international and 21 domestic destinations operating the newest and youngest fleet.

Addis Ababa is often referred to as the diplomatic city as it is the seat of the Head Quarters for both the African Union (previously the Organization of African Unity) and the UNECA (including other programmes and agencies of the UN) as well as various Continental and International organizations and Embassies. While searching for a home, visitors have many options for temporary accommodations such as high to mid-end hotels, luxury apartments and guest houses. The city has many International and national hotels and restaurants boasting a wide variety of cuisines, several museums and recreational parks and malls. Depending on family needs, there about 10 international schools. Over 12 National banks cater to local and expatriate residents. The commercial bank in ECA caters for banking services for international staff.
Ethiopian culture is conservative with a majority of Orthodox Christians, followed my Muslims and Protestants. It is important to be polite and respectful. Dress code should be on the formal side in the city during work hours and moderately conservative after work hours. Alcohol is allowed in the country.

There are recurrent cases of water borne diseases (Typhoid, Amoeba, Acute Watery Diarrhea) among others that occur from time to time, but this is very much dependent on personal hygiene. Malaria is present in the country but limited to the low land areas of the south where the altitude is below 2000m. This is not the case with Addis Ababa. Infectious diseases like measles, hepatitis A, B, and C, meningitis, HIV are also common and depend on the risky behavior practiced without adequate protection for some of the diseases. Health care facilities in Addis Ababa are reasonable for basic care of minor health problems, elsewhere health care facilities are extremely poor. The United Nations Health Care Center is an outpatient health care facility located in the UNECA compound for staff and their dependents. Visitors to Ethiopia should be in possession of a valid health certificate for yellow fever. Vaccination against cholera is also required for any person who has visited or transited a cholera-infected area within six days prior to arrival in the country.