National Nutrition Specialist

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), together with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ), with the support from the European Union (EU) to implement the project “PROMOVE Agribiz – Improving Rural Competitiveness in Nampula and Zambézia Provinces, Mozambique” with an overall objective of contributing to a sustainable, inclusive and broad-based economic growth and poverty reduction in the context of national food and nutrition security and climate change. The project aims to achieve the overall objectives through (i) improving the food and nutrition security and resilience of smallholders and climate-smart and nutrition-sensitive agriculture, and (ii) enhancing rural competitiveness by improved participation of smallholders in economic activities, economic diversification, improved access to rural services and improved rural investment. The project will ensure application of measures that contribute towards addressing micronutrients deficiencies and prevention of chronic malnutrition. Activities will focus on enhancing the production and availability of diversified food, social and behavioural change communication (SBCC) for improved dietary and nutritional practices. To this end, FAO intends to recruit a National Nutrition Specialist to support the implementation and delivery of the PROMOVE Agribiz nutrition results in all districts.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative and the general supervision of project Chief Technical Advisor, the National Nutrition Specialist report directly to the International Nutrition Specialist.

Technical Focus

The incumbent will support in the implementation of the SBCC package to the project beneficiaries especially women of reproductive age with focus on pregnant and lactating women with an approach of combining women from Farmer Field Schools and Mother Care Groups. At the same time s/he will build synergies by linking home gardens and other crops promoted by the project for improved dietary diversity and nutrition of the women and children.

Tasks and responsibilities

The National Nutrition specialist will undertake the following duties: • Liaise between the International Nutrition Specialist and the District Nutritionists for the implementation of nutrition component of the project. • Provide technical support to the District Nutritionists for the effective implementation of Nutrition-SBCC package involving the members of Farmer Field School and Mother Care Group targeting the vulnerable women and children focusing on the first 1 000 days of life (pregnant and lactating women and the children below 2 years). • Liaise between the National Government Institutions (SETSAN, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education) and the provincial/district government and other institutions and stakeholders. • Coordinate with national, provincial as well as district level government institutions (agriculture, health, education) for the effective implementation of nutrition activities in the communities. • Build synergy with the existing government and non-government nutrition programmes at the district level. • Support national, provincial and district level coordination structures on food security and nutrition. • Monitor and supervise the implementation of training activities and ensure adequacy of messages for desired behaviours on nutrition. • Support for the integration of home gardens with small livestock targeted at vulnerable women for increasing production and consumption of high nutritive value crops including bio-fortified varieties, fruits, etc. • Support the process of development of food based dietary guidelines for Mozambique. • Document human life stories of changed lives for project beneficiaries covering various aspects of the project’s nutrition outputs. • Facilitate wide dissemination of project results and the promotion activities through newspaper, radio and TV. • Perform any other tasks for the implementation of the programme.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or PhD) in Nutrition, Food Science or an any other closely related field • Three years of relevant experience in implementing nutrition SBCC projects/programmes or any other nutrition programmes • Working knowledge of English and Portuguese • National of Mozambique

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus • Teamwork • Communication • Building Effective Relationships • Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Selection Criteria

• Previous experience of working in the provinces of Nampula and Zambezia will be an advantage. • Previous work experience with UN agencies will be an asset. • Knowledge of any other local languages of Nampula and Zambezia provinces will be an advantage.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
• Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
• Please note that FAO 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 at http://www.whed.net/
• For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.