Programme Assistant (Nutrition) SC5

The World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. The mission of WFP is to help the world achieve Zero Hunger in our lifetimes. Every day, WFP works worldwide to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry and that the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly women and children, can access the nutritious food they need.

JOB TITLE:

Programme Assistant (Nutrition)

TYPE OF CONTRACT:

Service Contract (SC5)

Six months full-time, with possibility for extension, funding permitting

UNIT/DIVISION:

Nutrition

DUTY STATION (City, Country):

Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

BACKGROUND

Currently designing the next 5-year-plan, WFP contributes to the objectives of the UNDAF/UN Cooperation Framework and the work of the United Nations in the Kyrgyz Republic with its current Country Strategic Plan for 2018–2022, which focuses on five Strategic Outcomes:

1. Providing hot school meals for primary school-aged children (SO1);
2. Supporting vulnerable and food insecure smallholders to enhance their livelihoods (SO2);
3. Strengthening resilience to shocks and climate change for vulnerable communities (SO3);
4. Capacity-strengthening of government institutions for a comprehensive food security and nutrition management system (SO4);
5. Emergency support and early recovery (SO5).

WFP’s activities, including school meals and preventive, shock-responsive and promotive social protection measures in support of the vulnerable households, aim at ensuring that vulnerable populations meet their essential needs and at improving food security and nutrition in the country.

WFP in the Kyrgyz Republic co-leads the SUN Network with UNICEF, co-chairs the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food Security and Nutrition working group of the DPCC, and actively participates in other national and regional fora, including with nutrition expertise. The nutrition unit in the Country Office is a cross-cutting advisory support to all programme lines

PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

To perform specialized and/or standardized nutrition policy and programme-related processes and activities to support the effective delivery of WFP’s nutrition-sensitive programmes, coordinating policy partnerships in the area of healthy diets and nutrition.

Supervision received: The assistant will receive technical guidance and inputs from a part-time nutrition advisor, but will work closely with the Research, Analysis & Monitoring team as well as the partnerships unit, with the aim of growing this role over time into a programme officer position. The assistant will be directly supervised by a policy officer and will regularly report to Head of Programme and Deputy Country Director to ensure cross-cutting nutrition objectives are achieved.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive, nor exhaustive):

1. Perform specialized and/or standardised processes and activities as regards WFP’s work in nutrition. supporting alignment with wider programme and related policies and guidelines.
2. Provide project management and/or general office support following established targets and WFP’s policies and procedures. Project tasks include but are not limited to:
   1. Development of a comprehensive training module on diets for Social Inpatient Institutions with consideration of the age, chronic illnesses and disability needs of the service-users and resources of the institutions (e.g. personnel, budget, canteen equipment, procurement regulation), focusing on the role of food and nutrition in health promotion of the residents, including prevention of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and undernutrition.
   2. Support food ration and menu analyses in terms of nutritional and dietary needs, incl. for public institutions.
   3. Capacity building of key staff/administration of institutions supported by WFP and other relevant stakeholders on nutrition and healthy lifestyle principles.
   4. Support the design and implementation of social behaviour change communication strategies.
3. Within the specific area of responsibility, compile data and support analysis and preparation of reports in order to support operational decision-making for nutrition-sensitive programmes.
4. Perform accurate, timely recording of data within the specific technical area of work (e.g. food security and vulnerability assessments) following corporate standards and guidelines.
5. Work and exchange information with internal counterparts to support effective collaboration, implementation and monitoring of ongoing project activities.
6. Support communication and activities with local partners, agencies, NGOs and government institutions.
7. Coordinate with the Regional Bureau nutrition and food safety and quality (FSQ) experts.
8. Support WFP strong presence in relevant policy discussions on nutrition through minutes-taking, meeting coordination and translation support.
9. Act as a point of contact for resolution of general operational queries requesting assistance where necessary.
10. Follow standard emergency preparedness practices to ensure WFP is able to quickly respond and deploy needed resources to affected areas at the onset of the crisis (incl. with advice on food basket composition).
11. Other as required.

DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE:

• Has facilitated communication with technical teams (i.e. nutrition, VAM, etc.).

• Has contributed to implementation of programmes.

• Has observed or assisted with policy discussions.

Functional Capabilities (Knowledge & Skills):

• Understands basic technical concepts and data and their relevance to nutrition-sensitive development programmes, achievement of food safety and quality standards in value chains and other types of WFP programmes or behaviour change communications strategies applied to address the triple burden of malnutrition.

• Understands and applies basic principles of engagement with government counterparts at the national or local level.

• Displays capacity to provide inputs into the development, implementation and realignment of high-quality nutrition programmes.

Education: Completion of secondary school education. A post-secondary certificate in the related functional area. Training in medical school or any form of education focused on food/nutrition is considered an advantage.

Language: Fluency (level C) in both oral and written communication in English and in the duty station’s languages (Russian and Kyrgyz).

TALENTED WOMEN ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY

We look for applicants with the highest integrity and professionalism who share our humanitarian values. We commit to promote diversity, gender parity and equality between men and women.

WFP is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all qualified candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organisation.

WFP strives to build a work environment that is safe and respectful, and free of sexual harassment and abuse of authority. We believe in open communication, and every individual at WFP is treated with respect regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, religious and political beliefs, etc.

Closing date: 29 June 2022

This position is open ONLY to Kyrgyz citizens or those authorized to live and work in the Kyrgyz Republic according to national regulations. Applicants who do not meet this criterion will not be considered for this position.

WFP does not charge any fees at any stage of its recruitment process.

Only candidates who are short-listed will be contacted.