Nutritionist (NOB) Damascus CO OA051-2024

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

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.

ABOUT WFP

The World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity, for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

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: https://www.wfp.org and follow us on social media to keep up with our latest news: YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok.

WHY JOIN WFP? 

• WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.

• WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse, and multicultural working environment.

• WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of training, accreditation, coaching, mentorship, and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities.

• A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across the various country, regional and global offices around the world, and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe.

• We offer an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section of this vacancy announcement).

CONTRACT DETAILS:

Contract Type: Fixed Term (FT)
Duration: 12 months
Duty Station: Damascus Country Office
Number of required employees: 1
The position is advertised internally and externally

Objectives: The Nutritionist will provide support and technical analyses to implement the WFP Syria Nutrition Programme portfolio and contribute to meeting the needs of WFP beneficiaries. This entails working closely with the Head of strategy and design to assist in the development and implementation of nutrition specific and nutrition sensitive activities, in addition to providing support in the coordination and follow up with internal and external stakeholders to ensure timely and quality implementation of nutrition activities.  

Organizational Context and Role: The Nutritionist will work in the Nutrition Unit and in collaboration with the other units of WFP.

Supervision received: This post is based in Damascus and falls under the direct supervision of the Head of Strategy and Design in Damascus, Syria.

Accountabilities: Within delegated authority, the Nutrition Programme Policy Officer will be responsible for the following duties: (These duties are generic and thus are not all-inclusive nor are all duties carried out by all programme policy officers)

• Contribute to the development of nutrition projects, activities, plans and processes, ensuring alignment with wider nutrition policies and guidance.

• Provide project management support to specific and defined nutrition projects and activities, ensuring a coordinated approach with wider programmes/projects that complies with WFP standards and procedures.

• In lieu of funding shortfalls, ensure prioritization of most vulnerable for curative and preventative nutrition programmes using operational data and assessments.

• Lead on the integration of nutrition across various activities to enhance assistance provided to beneficiaries ensuring nutritional needs are addressed and not compromised.

• Lead on the context specific adaptation of the new WHO guideline, for the prevention and management of wasting.

• Support EPR team in managing the nutrition elements of the “Food for Nutrition Emergency Response”, including updating programmatic design in response to arising needs.

• Lead the development, preparation and review of all activity rations including those pertaining to Targeted Food Assistance, Ready to Eat rations, Reference Baskets for the Nutrition support to Pregnant & Breastfeeding women and girls, and Out of School programmes.

• Develop and co-ordinate data gathering/monitoring systems (nutrition dashboard), ensuring that rigorous quality standards are maintained.

• Track and analyse data to contribute to the preparation of accurate and timely reporting on nutrition activities.

• Liaise with implementing partners (internal and external) to monitor ongoing projects, ensuring effective collaboration, timeliness, and efficiency, and highlight potential risks to project delivery.

• Support the identification of potential partners and partnership negotiations to ensure a collaborative and holistic approach to meeting nutrition needs.

• Provide coaching to junior staff, with essential focus on enhancing skills, behaviour development, and performance management.

• Support the capacity building of WFP staff (CO. AO and FO), partners, and national government to prepare for and respond to nutrition needs.

• Undertake field visits to areas affected by emergencies, including regions with access challenges, as required to provide on-ground support and assessments.

• Oversee the preparation and implementation of nutrition assessments, including the development of Terms of Reference, coordination of technical teams, partner engagement, and comprehensive report writing.

• Lead efforts in developing the CO's fortification activities, working closely with the Ministry of Health, relevant UN agencies, and partners to ensure alignment and impact.

• In absence of Head of the Section, assume OIC responsibility if requested.

• Represent WFP in key coordination forums such as nutrition and education sectoral meetings, MOH/MOE forums, in addition to Regional and Global initiatives.

• Contribute to the revision of nutrition strategies and program design, leveraging evidence and findings to enhance program effectiveness.

• Collaborate with other relevant units and field offices to review and enhance the beneficiary communication strategy, ensuring it is well-targeted and impactful.

• Others as required.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Education:

Advanced University Degree in Public Health Nutrition, Nutrition, Food Technology, Medicine, or other relevant fields, or First University Degree with two additional years of related ‎work experience.

Experience:

• At least three (3) years of professional experience in Nutrition or Health related field with a master’s degree, or First University Degree with two (2) additional years of related work experience.

• Has demonstrated successful team management skills, ability to coach and ‎mentor, empower, and lead people, acting as a role model for more junior staff ‎and supervisees.

Languages:

Fluency in both oral and written communication in English and Arabic Languages

Knowledge/Skills:

• Analytical and problem-solving skills, with a strong solution and action orientation.

• Flexibility, sound interpersonal skills and cross-cultural sensitivity.

Desired experience for Entry into the Role:

• Desirable to have specific Nutrition projects implementation experiences.

• Preferable to have experience of emergency context for ensuring safe delivery for nutrition services to the beneficiaries.

• Desirable to have experience of working/coordinating with government Ministries relevant to Health and Nutrition

• Awareness of Local context, culture and contextual knowledge of factors influencing programme acceptance is highly desirable.

• Experience in nutrition surveys/assessments or related research is desirable

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK

WFP Leadership Framework guides to the common standards of behavior that guide HOW we work together to accomplish our mission.

Click here to access WFP Leadership Framework

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

WFP is dedicated to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our recruitment process is inclusively crafted to welcome candidates of all backgrounds, celebrating diversity and ensuring a respectful environment for all. We aim for an accessible and fair recruitment journey. Should you need any reasonable accommodations or have accessibility concerns, please reach out to us confidentially at global.inclusion@wfp.org. Our DEI team is here to ensure your full participation in our recruitment process.

NO FEE DISCLAIMER

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.

REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

• We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete, and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, language skills and UN Grade (if applicable).

• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application.

• Please make sure you upload your professional CV in the English language

• Kindly note the only documents you will need to submit at this time are your CV and Cover Letter

• Additional documents such as passport, recommendation letters, academic certificates, etc. may potentially be requested at a future time

• Please contact us at global.hrerecruitment@wfp.org in case you face any challenges with submitting your application

• Only shortlisted candidates will be notified

All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational 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, Joint 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.