The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world's largest humanitarian agency, fighting hunger worldwide. We are currently seeking to fill a consultancy position of Deputy Nutrition Cluster Coordinator. The position will be based in our Country Office in Kenya for a contract period of 6 months, with a possibility of extension. The selected candidate will be required to travel frequently to Somalia.
The Horn of Africa is experiencing the worst food crisis in the world today, with over 13 million people severely affected by food insecurity in drought-stricken areas of Somalia, Kenya, Ethiopia, Djibouti and Uganda. In Somalia, conflict is worsening the situation by causing death and displacement, and severely limiting humanitarian access. In July and August 2011, famine was declared in 6 areas in South Somalia affecting an estimated 750,000 people. Overall in the country, 4.0 million people (53% of the population) were in need of humanitarian assistance and an estimated 450,000 children less than 5 years were acutely malnourished .
The large scale humanitarian response triggered by this event has put existing coordination mechanisms such as the Nutrition Cluster under considerable strain. As a key partner of the nutrition cluster, WFP has proposed to assist UNICEF in strengthening the structure of the cluster to ensure effective coordination and promote better communication between cluster members’ through the secondment of an International Consultant with a strong background in nutrition and in emergency including coordination.
The selected candidate will be responsible for the following key duties:
Support the NCC in the identification of key partners:
- Identify key humanitarian partners in the nutrition sector, respecting their respective mandates and program priorities;
- With support from the Information Manager, carry out capacity mapping of all current and potential actors – government, national and international humanitarian organizations as well as national institutions, the private sector and market access to materials and services.
Assist the NCC in the establishment and maintenance of appropriate humanitarian coordination mechanisms:
- Establish and maintain appropriate coordination mechanisms (national and regional) between all nutrition humanitarian partners (including national and international NGOs, the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement, as well as national authorities and local structures at all levels);
- Ensure full integration of cross-cutting issues such as human rights, HIV, age, gender and environment, utilizing participatory and community-based approaches in all nutrition programming;
- Work closely with cluster participants in responding to needs, gaps identification and filling , ensuring an appropriate distribution of responsibilities within the cluster, with clearly defined focal points for specific issues;
- Ensure that nutrition cluster participants work collectively, ensuring the complementarities of the various stake holder’s actions;
- Promote emergency response actions while at the same time considering the need for early recovery planning as well as prevention and risk reduction concerns;
- Ensure effective links with other clusters especially Health, WASH, Food Security, and Education;
- Represent the interests of the cluster in discussions with the Humanitarian Coordinator on prioritization, resource mobilization and advocacy;
Support cluster Planning and strategy development:
- Ensure predictable action within the cluster for the following;
- Needs assessment and analysis; development of standard assessment formats for use within the cluster;
- Developing/updating agreed response strategies and action plans for the cluster and ensuring that these are adequately reflected in the overall country strategies, such as the consolidated appeal process (CAP).
Support the Application of standards by the cluster:
- Ensure that cluster participants are aware of relevant nutrition policy guidelines, technical standards and relevant commitments that the Government/concerned authorities have undertaken under international human rights law;
- Ensure that the ongoing nutrition responses are in line with existing policy guidance, technical standards, and relevant Government/local authorities policies.
Support the Monitoring and reporting mechanism:
- Ensure analytical interpretation of best available information in order to benchmark progress of the nutrition emergency response over time;
- Ensure regular reporting against cluster indicators of service delivery (quantity, quality, coverage, continuity and cost) supports analysis of cluster in closing gaps and measuring impact of nutrition interventions.
Assist the NCC in Advocacy and resource mobilization:
- Identify core advocacy concerns, including resource requirements, and contribute key messages to broader advocacy initiatives of the Humanitarian Coordinators and other actors;
- Advocate for donors to fund cluster participants to carry out priority activities in nutrition, while at the same time encouraging cluster participants to mobilize resources for their activities through the usual channels.
Support Training and capacity building of partners:
- Promote and support training and capacity building of nutrition partners, based on the mapping and understanding of available capacity;
- Support short to long term efforts to strengthen the capacity of all the nutrition partners.
Perform other related duties as required.
Qualifications & Experience Required
Education:
- University degree, preferably at the advanced level, in Nutrition, International Health & Nutrition, Public Health & Nutrition Policy and Management, Family Health & Nutrition, Food Security, Food Technology or other related fields.
Experience:
- At least 5 years of postgraduate progressively responsible professional experience in nutrition, public health management, development projects, emergency assistance, and/or operational aspects of national, bilateral or multilateral food assistance;
- Experience in survey methodologies, nutrition assessment and relevant data analysis;
- International experience is an added advantage;
- Food security and multisector programme knowledge and experience are desirable.
Technical Skills & Knowledge:
- Strong knowledge of nutrition and recent developments in the field;
- Knowledge of sound research methods and monitoring and evaluation standards;
- Understanding of donor policies, strategies, and programme priorities;
- Advanced computer skills with at least intermediate proficiency in windows based word processing, spreadsheet and nutrition/public health software (i.e. EPI Info);
- General knowledge of UN system policies, rules, regulations and procedures governing administration is highly desirable;
- In-depth knowledge of relevant field of specialization (nutrition, public health, development or other) is an asset;
- Familiarity with quantitative and qualitative health/nutrition survey techniques is an added value.
Competencies:
- WFP’s core competencies for professionals include action management, communication skills, teamwork and high standards of ethics and values.
Language:
- Working knowledge (proficiency/level C) of English;
- Intermediate knowledge of another UN official language (Arabic, French, Spanish, Russian or Chinese) or Portuguese as a WFP working language is preferred.
WFP offers a competitive compensation package which will be determined by the contract type and selected candidate’s qualifications and experience.
Please visit the following websites for detailed information on working with WFP. http://www.wfp.org Click on: “Where we work” and “Our work” to learn more about WFP’s operations http://icsc.un.org Click on: Quick Links > Salary Scales > by date http://www.unstaffmobility.org Learn more about countries where the UN operates
Go to: http://i-recruitment.wfp.org/vacancies/12-0012419 Step 1: Create your online CV. Step 2: Click on “Description” to read the position requirements and “Apply” to submit your application. NOTE: You must complete Step 2 in order for your application to be considered for this vacancy.
Deadline for applications: 12 February 2012
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