Nutrition Technician

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized technical agency of the United Nations established in 1945 whose mission is to contribute to eradicating hunger and achieving food security for all. FAO contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through FAO’s Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agri-food systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.

FAO mobilizes high level national and international technical expertise to build capacity of institutions and human resources. It also helps to bring in modern and innovative technologies and formulate conducive policies in countries through piloting, adapting and scaling up of successful global practices to achieve sustainable agri-food systems transformation.

Currently in Nepal, FAO projects focus on technical capacity building, policy development, enhancing agri-production, strengthening food systems, improving food & nutrition security, enhancing resilience to Disasters and impacts of Climate Change as well as threats posed by zoonotic diseases to human health through the One Health approach. FAO also contributes to the coordination of humanitarian assistance/relief and transition to livelihoods recovery within the agriculture sector, under the framework of the food security cluster.

In this context, FAO Nepal seeks to hire a Nutrition Technician (32 position) who will perform a crucial role in supporting the implementation and monitoring of nutrition programs and conducting dietary assessments and reliable nutritional information.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Nepal, the direct supervision of the Project Team Leader with technical guidance of Cluster Nutrition Specialist and in coordination with Nutrition Specialist, the Nutrition Technician will perform the following tasks.

Technical Focus

The Nutrition Technician will primarily focus on conducting dietary assessments and anthropometric measurements to evaluate the nutritional status of target communities and maintaining accurate data on food intake, dietary habits, and nutritional health indicators aimed at improving the nutritional status of communities and dietary practices.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Formation/ identification of new nutrition groups and selection of existing groups (mother groups) • Conduct group level orientation/meeting to sensitize on project activities as per the guidance from PCU • Facilitate groups formation and registration process in concerned rural municipalities and provide group strengthening support, • Facilitate in the planning, implementation of Nutrition Field School (NFS), Home Nutrition Garden (HNG) in the targeted municipalities, • Facilitate nutrition groups in adoption of social and BCC practices, • Facilitate nutrition groups in developing proposals/business plan for accessing small grants from the project, • Prepare and submit a monthly work plan to cluster-based Nutrition Specialist and PCU as per the format developed by the project, • Collect and report field level data required for PMIS to cluster-based Nutrition Specialist on monthly basis, • Monitor, supervise and prepare monthly progress report on the nutrition related activities of the project, • Coordinate with PCUs for the distribution of inputs/ tools equipment for implementing NFS, establish HNG and implementation of small grants to the beneficiaries, • Implement awareness raising activities on environment and social issues and safeguard aspects, and information/data collection as per the need of the project, • Monitoring of environment and social compliances identified in environment and social management plan, • Report on progress in the use of funds disbursed to the beneficiary groups by the project as instructed and on the progress of business plans and small grant programs, • Support PCUs for the identification of beneficiaries, formation of nutrition groups in new RMs for the implementation of FANSEP II interventions, • Collect and report field level data required for PMIS to Cluster Nutrition Specialist Team on monthly basis, • Undertake other project related tasks as assigned by PCU chief, PCU staffs and FAO TA-Team

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Minimum High School Diploma/Technical Diploma (equivalent to SLC) TSLC Health education Nutrition related subject. • At least two years of working experience development project and social mobilization and awareness activities along with group formation and strengthening will be an added advantage. • Working knowledge of English and Nepali. • National of Nepal.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Strong understanding of nutritional science, dietary guidelines, and the nutritional needs of target areas. • Meticulous in conducting nutritional assessments, maintaining accurate records, and ensuring data integrity. • Ability to effectively communicate nutritional information to clients and community members. • Proficient in preparing reports and educational materials. • Capable of managing multiple tasks, prioritizing workload, and adhering to deadlines. • Good knowledge of communication and documentation standards. • Good knowledge of the organizational structure.

Selection Criteria

• Knowledge of local language will be an advantage. • Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and with a multidisciplinary and multicultural team. • Proficiency in collecting dietary data and maintain accurate records and analyzing nutritional information to support research and program development. • Assisted in the implementation and evaluation of nutrition programs, including preparing educational materials, organizing workshops, and coordinating with other health professionals. • Good knowledge of computer operation of the MS Office applications, Internet and office technology equipment • Extent of technical and practical experience on the day-to-day operational activities of the project or programmes. • Communication, writing and presentation skills in English and Nepali.. • Prior work experience with UN agencies, development partners, banks, and government of Nepal. • High degree of team ethics, well-organized, result focused and dynamic personality • Preference will be given to local applicants and applicants should mention their preferred Rural Municipality (RM) in the motivation letter (Gorkha: Aarughat and Sahid Lakan RM / Dhading: Siddhalek and Galchhi RM / Sindhupalchowk: Sunkoshi and Tripurasundari RM / Dolakha: Baiteshwor and Meling RM / Dhanusha: Janaka Nandini and Bateshwor RM / Mahottari: Sonama and Samsi RM / Siraha: Laxmipur Patari and Nawarajpur RM / Saptari: Chhinnamata and Mahadeva RM)

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.