Nutrition and Food Systems Officer

Organizational Setting

The Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa (RNE) leads FAO's support to countries in the region in transforming their agrifood systems to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It identifies regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development and ensures the planning and implementation of FAO's strategic response in the region through a multidisciplinary approach. It implements approved programmes and projects, monitors programme implementation, and ensures that they contribute to addressing regional priorities. RNE also advises on the incorporation of regional priorities into the FAO Strategic Framework and Programme of Work and Budget. RNE supports regional policy dialogues, facilitates the emergence of regional partnerships, and supports knowledge exchange, capacity development and resource mobilization for food security, agriculture and rural development in the region. It develops and maintains relations with region-wide institutions including the Regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs).

The Regional Office implements its Programme through four regional priorities, and this position will be located in the Regional Priority titled as "Health Diets for All". The post is located in RNE, Cairo, Egypt.

Reporting Lines The Nutrition and Food Systems Officer reports to Senior Economist (lead of the Regional Priority on Healthy Diets for All) and works within the Regional Programming Framework and in close collaboration with the Food and Nutrition Division (ESN) and other relevant units within the FAO.

Technical Focus The Nutrition and Food Systems Officer contributes to the regional programme in general, and specific initiatives and projects on nutrition and food systems. The incumbent also provides support to Members on nutrition and food systems linkages and related policy issues.

Key Results Research and analysis of information, data and statistics, and the maintenance and updating of related tools, methodologies, and/or databases to support the delivery of programme products, projects, publications, and services.

Key Functions • Researches and analyses agricultural, economic, trade, market, social, environmental, nutrition/food composition and/or gender related data, statistics and information to provide technical, statistical and/or policy related information and analysis to support the delivery of economic and social development programmes work, products, projects, publications and services; • Produces a variety of technical reports and input for technical documents, publications and/or web pages; • Provides technical, statistical, and/or analytical services on various studies, projects and/or assessments and provides technical backstopping to field projects; • Participates in the development of improved/updated technical, statistical and/or analytical tools, methodologies, systems, databases and/or key social/economic/environmental/nutritional and/or early warning indicators, etc.; • Participates in multidisciplinary teams, collaborates with other divisions/offices and agencies on work groups and committees and promotes best practices; • Collaborates in capacity development activities involving the planning and organizing of training workshops, seminars and major meetings and the preparation of related information, materials, on-line tools and information kits; • Promotes knowledge sharing and best practices at international meetings and conferences and influences partners in stakeholder consultations; • Participates in resource mobilization activities.

Specific Functions • Contributes towards design and delivery of FAO's regional programme of work in the area of nutrition and food systems; • Contributes to the development of approaches for food systems analysis and for monitoring the effects of food and agricultural policies, and programmes on nutrition outcomes; • Facilitates multistakeholder dialogues and partnerships among public and private food systems actors and institutions, including Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and research organizations, to increase FAO's visibility and impact of work in the nutrition and food systems; • Supports in developing guidelines for FAO's contributions to the nutrition governance mechanisms and policy dialogue; • Compiles evidence, lessons learned and good practices of FAO work and makes recommendations in nutrition-enhancing food and agricultural policies; • Contribute towards the work related to agrifood systems and nutrition-sensitive policy and action, including preparation of case studies, factsheet and other materials; • Performs other duties as required. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements • Advanced university degree in social sciences nutrition, epidemiology, health sciences food sciences or a related field. • Five years of relevant experience in integrating nutrition into agricultural policies and programmes, including at least two years’ experience working with national or international policy issues in this area. • Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate – level B) of another official FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

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

Technical/Functional Skills • Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions. • Extent and relevance of experience and knowledge of nutrition policy and programme initiatives. • Extent and relevance of experience in nutrition and knowledge of food systems policy and programming and multistakeholder processes. • Depth of familiarity with FAO's partner institutions (UN, NGOs, donors), and experience with the public sector. • Extent and relevance of experience in the analysis and formulation of food systems and nutrition policies for sustainability improvement in the food and agriculture sector. • Analytical skills and ability to prepare publications, technical reports and other relevant materials. • Ability to analyse complex nutrition-related issues.