Associate Nutrition and Food Security Officer

BFamilyFamily NOBNational Professional Officer

Reason

Regular > Regular AssignmentNo2025-01-01December 8, 2024

Associate Nutrition and Food Security Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Associate Nutrition and Food Security Officer is a member of a multidisciplinary team and will ensure that UNHCR's nutrition and food security programmes meet minimum UNHCR and international standards, to minimise malnutrition, micronutrient deficiencies and anaemia prevalence and improve food security of populations of concern towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The incumbent provides timely technical and strategic guidance to UNHCR senior management and partners including on the design and monitoring of UNHCR's responses in nutrition and food security. S/he provides guidance on nutrition and food security programming, supports design and implementation of nutrition and food security assessments and communicates the data and analysis on the nutrition and food security situation to a range of audiences internally and externally.
The incumbent will support technical coordination with other regional UN agencies involved in nutrition and food security including WFP, UNICEF, WHO, FAO and NGOs in line with global guidance and commitments. S/he will share information and experiences, carry out joint assessments, seek financial and technical support for selected refugee operations, and conduct joint trainings.
The Associate Nutrition and Food Security Officer will work closely with UNHCR's programme, cash, registration and data management staff on targeting of food and basic assistance with WFP. S/he will work with the Programme Officer (or other designated staff member) to support operational collaboration and joint programming with WFP on nutrition and food security (including the design and implementation of Joint Assessment Missions).
The incumbent has a functional line to the Senior Nutrition and Food Security Officer in the Regional Bureau and/or in the Public Health Section in Geneva regarding authoritative guidance and support in technical matters and is expected to maintain regular contact with them.

All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR's core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties
Coordination, Leadership and Partnership
- In the absence of more senior public health and nutrition staff, coordinate nutrition and food security activities for Persons of Concern (POC) with other government, UN agencies, donors, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and other humanitarian partners including development actors to ensure nutrition and food security is in line with the Global Compact on Refugees and in support of the Sustainable Development goals, including SDG 2.
- In collaboration with more senior nutrition and/or public health staff, represent UNHCR in relevant technical nutrition and food security meetings and advocate with evidence and data on refugee nutrition and food security situation.
- Support operational collaboration with WFP including the design and implementation of Joint Assessment Missions and corresponding Joint Plans of Action in line with global commitments on targeting of assistance to meet basic needs and data sharing to support assistance distribution (in collaboration with programme and protection colleagues),
- Support inter-sector collaboration throughout all stages of programme cycle between nutrition and food security with public health, WASH, education, environment, shelter, and protection etc. in order to promote synergies and maximise impact.
- In collaboration with public health staff, contribute to the development and monitoring of country specific medium to long term inclusion plans in support of the Ministry of Health and other relevant Ministries (e.g. Social Welfare) and in partnership with development and other actors including the World Bank, International Labour Organisations, UNICEF, WFP, WHO and major donors.
- Work with stakeholders, including UN agencies, NGOs, Ministries of Health and academic institutions in the development of nutrition and food security plans associated with refugee movements (including in repatriation programmes).
- Maintain and update contingency plans for potential outbreaks, refugee and returnee movements.
- Advocate with government and partners for refugees, returnees and other POC's access to local public health and nutrition services as well as for their inclusion as a specific group in government policies, plans and social protection programmes.

Strategic planning and development
- Implement UNHCR's Strategic Plan for Public Health and its adaptation at country level.
- Ensure that Nutrition and Food Security strategies address known gaps in nutrition and food security programming based on country-specific needs assessment with due consideration to multi-sectoral linkages and existing national nutrition and social protection programmes.
- Support the development of country public health, nutrition and food security strategies (including targeting of basic food and non-food assistance) based on up-to-date assessment and identification of needs, recognizing the contributions of governments and other actors and in support of national health systems as much as possible; include preventive, promotive, curative, and rehabilitative care; recognise the different approaches required for the stage of the humanitarian response (preparedness, emergency, stabilisation, transition and long term inclusion) as well as for settlement or camp based POCs and those in urban or non-camp situations.
- Support the design, implementation and reporting on Joint Assessment Missions with WFP and the resulting Joint Plan of Action.

Technical Support
- Provide technical assistance on nutrition and food security to UNHCR's staff and partners.
- Advise Field Offices on matters related to procurement of sector-related materials and equipment, and regular update on new developments and specifications of such items.
- Ensure dissemination and implementation of internationally accepted technical standards, policies, and guidelines within UNHCR and among partners; adapt accordingly to the unique situation of refugee populations.
- Advocate on all issues relating to refugees' and other POC's nutrition and food security including adequate access to services, inclusion in national systems and services and identification of development and international funding sources.

Assessment, analysis and monitoring
- Support the planning and implementation of the UNHCR Standardized Expanded Nutrition Surveys.
- Coordinate and participate in joint needs assessments (including Joint Assessment Missions with WFP), nutrition and food security assessments of refugees and returnees.
- Assist in the design and implement the monitoring and evaluation system for nutrition and food security programmes within the Area of Responsibility (AoR).
- Support staff and partners to implement the Health Information Systems, Post Distribution Monitoring and ensure linkages with nutrition cluster assessment tools and process in out of camp or host populations.
- Support the exchange and analysis of information on nutrition and food security at the national level with government and other partners.

Capacity Strengthening:
- Undertake and/or support capacity strengthening of UNHCR and its implementing partners to ensure the technical integrity of nutrition and food security programmes in a co-ordinated, multi-sectoral way.
- Share with local and international partners relevant guidelines and information materials on programming relating to refugee nutrition and food security.

- Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).

- Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P2/NOB - 3 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 2 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 1 year relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education
Human Nutrition; or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses
Public Health; Food Security; Food Assistance
Reproductive Health; Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF)
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Proven technical expertise in the area of nutrition and food security assessments including surveys, rapid screenings and rapid assessments. Experience in the collection and use of routine health and nutrition monitoring data. Ability to work under pressure and in hardship conditions. Ability to promote good working relationships among colleagues, supervisors, and supervisees. Analytical and creative thinking abilities with solutions oriented approach. Ability to coordinate a range of diverse actors and activities to achieve a common objective in the area of Nutrition and Food Security. Knowledge and experience of working with partner agencies with a capacity to provide formal and informal technical training. Strong communication skills both verbal and in writing. Proficiency in computer software such as MS Access, Epi Info, Excel, PowerPoint, Word and other statistical programmes required for nutritional survey data analysis.

Desirable
Previous professional work with refugees and other populations of concern to UNHCR with UNHCR, NGO's and / or UN agencies. Experience in multi-sector programming for nutrition outcomes. Experience, advanced training and combined knowledge in various related fields: e.g. public health, food assistance/food security, IYCF, reproductive health, WASH. Demonstrated experience in Community Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM), Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices, targeting food assistance, small scale agriculture and livelihoods interventions, cash assistance to meet basic needs. Experience in project cycle management and working with diverse range of partners.

Functional Skills
FO-Operational activities in hardship duty stations
IT-Computer Literacy
MG-Partnership Development
NU- Nutrition
Nu-Food Supplements,Smart Methodology, CMAM, IYCF Voucher Cash Transfer
PG-Programme Management (programme cycles and reporting standards)
TR-Training - Virtual and face to face
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Language Requirements
For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.
For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.
For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.


All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power.

As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.

Essential
• University degree in food; nutrition and dietetics with experience in running food and nutrition programmes for forcibly displaced persons in particular refugees.
• Proven technical expertise around nutrition and food security assessments including surveys, rapid screenings and rapid assessment coupled with experience in upholding UNHCR core values and L2 core, managerial and cross functional competencies.
• Strong communication skills both verbal and in writing. Proficiency in computer software such as MS Access, Epi Info, SMART/SMART PLUS, Excel, PowerPoint, Word and other statistical programmes required for nutritional survey data analysis.
• knowledge and experience in coordination, particularly within the interagency context and contributing to interagency response strategies while ensuring that the interest of refugee and other populations that UNHCR serves are well represented and articulated.
• Experience in multi-sector programming, sustainable, solutions from the start for results in nutrition and food security including multisector programming and in particular nutrition sensitive programs
• Evidence and results-based program and conducting large scale surveys and analysis internally and externally.
• Experience in collaborative leadership in managing relations with traditional and non-traditional partners with diplomacy and respect.
• Multiple stakeholder management and mobilization including working with the Government at regional/Zonal or Wareda level , WFP UNICEF or other UN agencies and NGO involved in food and nutrition sector
• Proven experience in leading and managing large and diverse teams toward a shared vision to ensure that global strategic priorities (GSP) and regional priorities as well as information on projected resource availability guide the planning parameters.

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Nature of Position:

Ethiopia has a rich history of hosting refugees within its borders, supported by a progressive asylum policy that ensures humanitarian access and protection for those seeking refuge. As the second-largest refugee-hosting country in Africa, Ethiopia provides shelter to over 1million registered refugees and asylum-seekers in addition to over 4 million IDPs and over 2 million returnees. The majority of refugees in Ethiopia come from South Sudan, Somalia, and Eritrea, and they are settled in 25 refugee camps, sites and settlements across six Regional States (Afar, Amhara, Tigray, Benishangul-Gumuz, Gambella and Somali Regions).

The situation presents a triple burden of malnutrition, with concurrent food insecurity affecting refugees, IDPs, and host communities. Persistent nutrition challenges, both acute and chronic, impact refugees in Ethiopia. Shock events, including disease outbreaks (such as COVID-19), conflict and insecurity, macroeconomic instability leading to inflation, climate change (droughts and floods), inadequate maternal and childcare practices, limited infrastructure, and insufficient investments in multisectoral and nutrition-sensitive programs, exacerbate the situation. Complex emergencies, including recurring new arrivals, necessitate humanitarian emergency responses. Overall, one out of two children under five presents with at least one form of undernutrition referenced from the  2022 and 2023 UNHCR Standardized Expanded Nutrition Survey (SENS) conducted in Ethiopia refugee camps, sites and settlements in collaboration with partners.

Among the newly arrived refugees from Sudan and Somalia, malnutrition levels are even higher. However, funding shortages in recent years have led to a reduction in refugee food assistance from 100% of the ration to 60%. Without additional funding for food assistance and food system development, this percentage may decrease further. Recent data indicates that only 31% of refugees achieve an acceptable Food Consumption Score (FCS), leaving 87.4% of the population resorting to negative coping strategies. A participatory assessment led by UNHCR highlights lack of food as the second most significant stressor for refugees, exacerbated by the absence of alternative cooking energy sources, resulting in mental health and psychosocial challenges. Achieving the World Health Assembly (WHA) targets for nutrition by 2025 and the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2030 requires concerted efforts.

The Associate Nutrition and Food Security Officer’s role aligns with Ethiopia’s national food and nutrition strategy, UN Country commitments to the Global Action Plan (GAP) for reducing child wasting, and UNHCR’s public health strategy. The vision is to eliminate all forms of malnutrition by 2030 (SDG 3) and advance progress toward SDG 2; accelerated by the World health assembly (WHA) 2025 commitments, UNSDCF and targets 2030 and the newly developed UNHCR Ethiopia Multiyear strategy 2025 to 2029 towards sustainable inclusive programming. The incumbent will collaborate closely with the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) and regional health bureau to promote synergies in line with the global compact for refugees and national priorities in food and nutrition.

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Living and Working Conditions:

Addis Ababa is the capital of Ethiopia. The city has an estimated population of 5.7million inhabitants. It is where the African Union is headquartered. It also hosts the headquarters of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), as well as various other continental and international organizations. Staff members reside in commercial accommodation available in town (Check the Travel Advisory for Addis Ababa on UN TRIP site). There is an UN Clinic in Addis and there are limited medical facilities in Addis that are equipped to deal with moderate medical cases. Evacuation opportunities are also limited but the official destination for medical evacuations – Nairobi, Kenya – both, in case of health as well as mental health complications and note that such travels are approved in line with rules and regulations of the UNHCR Medical Section. Candidates with conditions requiring regular treatment or medical supervision should be appropriately advised.

The climate of Ethiopia and the regions varies greatly. It is temperate on the plateau and hot in the lowlands. Generally, the high elevation of the land affects one's adjustment to the environment. At Addis Ababa, which ranges from 2,200 to 2,600 m (7,218 to 8,530 ft), the maximum temperature is 26 °C (78.8 °F) and minimum 4 °C (39.2 °F). The weather is usually sunny and dry, but the short (belg) rains occur from February to April, and the large (meher) rains are from mid-June to mid-September. The economy of Ethiopia is a mixed and transition economy with a large public sector. The Government of Ethiopia is in the process of privatizing many of the state-owned businesses and moving toward a market economy. However, the banking, telecommunication, and transportation sectors of the economy are dominated by Government-owned companies.

The local currency is the Ethiopian Birr. Foreign currency may only be changed at authorized banks and hotels. The exchange of foreign currency outside the regulated banks (Black Market) is a criminal offense, and international UN personnel caught by police sting operations have been known to be arrested and detained for several days. Any entry or exit of cash in excess of US$3,000 (or the equivalent in other foreign currencies) must be declared to the customs authority. ATM cash withdrawals are largely available in Addis with withdrawal limit per day of 12,000 Birr from the Zemen Bank ATM. AMEX is generally not accepted. Payment with credit card is possible in a few selected shops and tourism areas, but this form of payment is expanding. There is acceptable access to communication means, such as the internet, telephone sim cards, etc. PAMA is also available at the Offices.Rental housing price ranges from USD1,600 to USD3,000 and higher, depending on the number of bedrooms and of course location. And it is also important to note that there is a custom of 3 to 6 months payment of rent in advance.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

FO-Operational activities in hardship duty stations, IT-Computer Literacy, MG-Partnership Development, NU-Food Supplements,Smart Methodology, CMAM, IYCF Voucher Cash Transfer, NU- Nutrition, PG-Programme Management (programme cycles and reporting standards), TR-Training - Virtual and face to faceBachelor of Arts (BA): Child Care, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Food Security, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Health, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Public Health

Certifications

Food Assistance - Other, Food Security - Other, Infant and Young Child Feeding - Other, Public Health - Other, Reproductive Health - Other

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Stakeholder management, Teamwork & collaboration

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Compendium

Additional Information

This position requires Functional Clearance