WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status or disability.

WFP seeks candidates of the highest integrity and professionalism who share our humanitarian principles. Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis, and we are committed to promoting diversity and gender balance. Female Candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

ABOUT WFP

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), a highly prestigious, reputable & world’s largest humanitarian organization, operates in more than 120 countries and territories, bringing life-saving assistance in emergencies, building pathways to peace, stability, and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change and supporting sustainable and resilient livelihoods for a world with zero hunger. At WFP, people are at the heart of everything we do, and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse, committed, skilled, and high-performing teams, selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living WFP's values (Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves.

To learn more about WFP, visit our website: UN World Food Programme (WFP), and follow us on social media to keep up with our latest news: YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter.

The Regional Bureau Dakar (RBD) provides policy guidance, technical support, and oversight for operations in 19 countries west and central Africa where WFP’s efforts contribute towards the eradication of hunger and malnutrition.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

In West and Central Africa, several factors threaten the food security and nutritional status of the population, but especially of women and children under five. These include household food insecurity, conflicts and armed violence, population displacement, high levels of childhood illnesses and water-borne diseases such as diarrhea, fragile health systems, poor access to clean water and sanitation, and chronic poverty.

In Central Sahel countries, the food security and nutritional status of the population and especially women and children 6-23 months is severely compromised, and worsening amid colliding crises of conflict, climate change, Covid-19 and now skyrocketing costs of food, fuel and fertilizer. But also because of severely disrupted food systems which leave almost three quarters of households in some regions unable to afford to eat enough or even any nutritious food.

In this context it is essential to ensure a balance between emergency responses to acute shocks, and approaches which strengthen systems and improve countries, communities, and individuals’ resilience to future shocks.

Building on prior WFP experience in food systems strengthening in West Africa, WFP is reinforcing simultaneously the capability and capacity of producers of nutritious foods; supporting transformation of products into complementary foods for distribution in markets and shops; introducing fortified foods; improving national analytical capacities for monitoring markets and the prices of nutritious foods; and supporting access to and demand for nutritious food by vulnerable communities.

Social Behaviour Change and Demand Creation activities across nutrition and non-nutrition programmes can help to ensure that the food and nutrient needs are met by vulnerable populations. As such, such Social Behaviour Change and Demand Creation contributes to changing behaviours with regards to nutritious food choices from a food systems perspective by:

- Contributing to change the behaviour of family members to influence food choices and encourage the preference and acceptance, preparation, and consumption of nutritious foods.

- Contributing to increase the demand for nutritious foods by strengthening private sector marketing and communication strategies.

- Contributing to increase the supply of nutritious foods by strengthening food producers and food processors choices to prioritise nutritious foods production and processing.

- Strengthening all related national SBCC capacities and systems at country level (policies, strategies, reporting, coordination, communication, …)

- Establishing effective partnerships for strengthening SBCC

MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES: Under the supervision of the Senior Regional Nutrition Advisor and in close coordination with relevant technical colleagues in RBD and CO’s (Monitoring, Evaluation, Nutrition, CBT, Communication, Supply Chain, etc.), the Social Behaviour Change and Demand Creation Specialist will be responsible to lead high quality, results oriented Social Behaviour Change and Demand Creation programme planning, implementation support and reporting in compliance with donor and WFP agreements and procedures, in collaboration with partners.

This includes, in close coordination with relevant technical colleagues in RBD and CO’s:

Strategic and Technical Support: Provide strategic and technical directions to change behaviours with regards to nutritious food choices from a food systems perspective and coordinate support to country offices, governments, and partners in developing and implementing innovative Social Behaviour Change and Demand Creation strategies, building on proven Social Behaviour Change and Demand Creation approaches and activities, including marketing.
Evidence generation: Support development and updating of knowledge on behaviours change communication and demand creation on nutritious food choices from a food systems perspective situation, such as analyses, including gathering and reviewing studies; polices, coordination, reporting and materials, stakeholder, and opinion leader assessments. Advise on the development and implementation of formative assessments and innovative approaches to increase learning around Social Behaviour Change and Demand Creation with country offices, governments and partners.
Capacity building & System Strengthening: Collaborate with governments, partners, private sector and colleagues to plan, develop, and produce tools and communication vehicles to enhance capacities, policies and systems leading to improved nutritious food choices from a food systems perspective in the region, and support related program objectives. Support private sector partners to design and implement their marketing strategies. Coordinate capacity building of partners in design, plan, implementation and monitoring of innovative Social Behaviour Change and Demand Creation approaches. Strengthen the capacity of WFP’s team members in advocacy for nutrition area. Ensure successful approaches are integrated in relevant national policies, strategies, monitoring tools, surveys, etc.
Documentation and dissemination: Ensure the preparation and writing of reports on Social Behaviour Change and Demand Creation activities in a timely manner to ensure informed decision-making and consistency of information presented to stakeholders. Support the identification of good practices and lessons learned regarding nutritious food choices from a food systems perspective. Contribute to the development of communication and advocacy documents around WFP's Social Behaviour Change and Demand Creation.
Partnership development: Support the establishment of effective strategic and operational partnerships for strengthening Social Behaviour Change and Demand Creation activities and systems and engage all stakeholders at country and regional level.
Representation and engagement: Establish and maintain constructive working relationships with all colleagues involved at RBD and CO-level. Represent WFP in meetings, workshops, working groups, and networks with internal and external stakeholders including governments, civil society organizations, and other partners. Increase the visibility of WFP within the Social Behaviour Change sector at the country and regional level.

Education:

You have

An advanced university degree (Master's degree equivalent, BAC+4/5), recognized by https://www.whed.net/home.php in Communications, Marketing, Social or Behavioural Sciences, Human Nutrition, Public Health, or related fields OR a first university degree (Bachelor's degree equivalent, BAC +3) in the same disciplines with additional years of experience.

Experience:

You have:

At least eight (8) years of progressively responsible professional post-graduate (advanced degree) experience in an international setting (ideally humanitarian and development), including in implementing or supervising social and behavioural change interventions related to Health and Nutrition.

Other required experiences:

Strong knowledge of multisectoral nutrition programmes, strategies and policies.
Experience in designing and conducting formative research related to social and behavioural changes, ideally on all aspects related to complementary feeding and influencing food choices.
Experience in marketing strategy design and implementation
Experience in community mobilization and program management
Experience working with private and public sectors, as well as civil society and coordination with UN-agencies.
Experience in national capacity strengthening programmes/projects is an asset.
Experience with UN, including at Country Office-level, is an asset.

Languages:

Fluency (level C in reading, writing and speaking) in English and French.

Knowledge, Skills and other requirements:

Good communication, writing and facilitation skills;
Knowledge of formative research methods, including qualitative methods;
Flexibility and adaptability;
Analytical and problem-solving skills;
Interpersonal and cross-cultural sensitivity;
Able to work under pressure and meet deadlines;
Able to work in a sometimes fluid and insecure environment;

Deadline for application: 25 August 2023

WFP Value Proposition

Meaningful and impactful careers - Our day-to-day work makes a difference in the lives of the people we serve.
Continuous learning and training - We provide learning tools for our staff to continually develop their careers.
Multicultural and stimulating working environment - We encourage gender and cultural diversity to make our teams stronger.

PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU APPLY

All employment decisions are made based on organisational needs, job requirements, merit and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Join Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.
Female applicants and qualified applicants from developing countries are especially encouraged to apply. WFP has zero tolerance for discrimination and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status.
Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis, and we are committed to promoting diversity and gender balance
WFP will not request payment at any stage of the recruitment process including at the offer stage. Any requests for payment should be refused and reported to local law enforcement authorities for appropriate action.
WFP has a zero-tolerance approach to conduct such as fraud, sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination.
All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to WFP’s standards of conduct and will therefore undergo rigorous background verification internally or through third parties. Selected candidates will also be required to provide additional information as part of the verification exercise. Misrepresentation of information provided during the recruitment process may lead to disqualification or termination of employment.

Special Notice on WFP RBD office relocation:

WFP and other UN Agencies will be moving to the new United Nations House, presently under construction in Diamniadio, 30 kilometres from downtown Dakar. The name of the duty station for this position will remain Dakar, Senegal.

Special recommendation

Before you apply, please confirm that

You have the experience we are looking for
You possess the academic requirements
Your on-line profile and CV are correct, accurate and up to date, (your CV should include your employment history, academic qualifications, and language skills.

WFP is committed to ensuring that all its workplaces are free from abuse, offensive behaviour, harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. WFP is also committed to promoting a work culture in which every employee understands, and is able to carry out, her/his personal responsibilities for maintaining the dignity of work colleagues. WFP seeks to promote gender equality and the empowerment of women. We believe our mission of fighting global hunger worldwide can only be achieved if women, men, girls and boys are offered equal opportunities in terms of access to resources and services and participation in decision making roles.

Apply now

Added 9 months ago - Updated 8 months ago - Source: wfp.org