Project Nutrition Support Specialist

Organizational Setting

FAO is expanding its sectoral interventions in Kenya to the Dadaab refugee camps in Dadaab and Fafi sub-counties of Garissa County. Subsequently, FAO is jointly with UNHABITAT, UNHCR and WFP implementing the “Building Refugee Settlements in Kenya” project in Dadaab from 1st January 2024- 31st December 2026, under the European Union funded Flexible Mechanism for Migration and Forced Displacement in Sub-Saharan Africa. The Overall Objective of the project is to contribute to the roll-out of refugee settlements in Kenya in which displacement affected communities (asylum seekers, refugees, and the host community) participate in fostering their common socio-economic inclusion and self-reliance.

FAO, alongside WFP will be implementing activities aimed at achieving the Specific Objective 1: Improved availability and up-take of fresh, locally- produced and nutritious foods. These will include components on skills development and promotion of household production and consumption of nutritious, safe, and diverse food; preservation and processing for year-round food availability with an aim to contribute to a reduction of malnutrition affecting the refugees and host communities in Dadaab.

Reporting Lines

The Project Nutrition Support Specialist will work under the overall guidance of the FAO Representative in Kenya and with guidance from the Assistant FAO Representative in charge of Programmes in FAO Kenya, and the direct supervision of the Project lead/Agribusiness specialist and technical supervision of nutrition team leader.

Technical Focus

The Project Nutrition Support Specialist will work in consultation with the FAO Nutrition Sensitive Agriculture Specialists and in close collaboration with the agriculture and health ministries at county level; the Specialist will support implementation of the nutrition aspects of the ‘Building Refugee Settlements in Kenya’ project in Garissa County – Dadaab.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Support capacity building efforts targeted at the Garissa County government executive and County officers on Nutrition-sensitive Agriculture and Food Systems. • Support establishment of 5 model gardens which will serve as learning sites to produce nutrient-dense, diverse, bio-fortified, and drought-resistant crops. • In close collaboration with WFP, support Social Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) formative research, develop key messages and design interventions as informed by the research. • Support activities of Social Behavior Change Communication on nutrition and food safety targeted at refugee and host community households. • Lead identification of Community-Based Extension Service Providers (CBESP). • Support establishment and maintenance of kitchen garden technologies and poultry keeping by host and refugee households. • Lead initiatives that promote appropriate preparation, processing, preservation, and storage of locally produced nutrient-dense foods, by host and refugee households. Joint field monitoring with the service provider • Track progress of reporting with a lens on nutrition indicators • Represent FAO in County coordination platforms for nutrition. • Perform any other duty as requested.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in nutrition, home economics, food science or any other relevant field. • 5 years of professional experience in implementing field-based projects with a nutrition component. • Working knowledge of English and Kiswahili • National of Kenya

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Experience in nutrition sensitive agriculture will be an added advantage. • Experience in report writing will be an added advantage. • Ability to read, write and communicate in local languages including Somali.

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.