Nutrition & Food Security Associate – UNHCR Vacancy Announcements

Nutrition & Food Security Associate – UNHCR Vacancy Announcements, April 8 2023

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Organization: UNHCR

Position: Nutrition & Food Security Associate

Employment: Contract

Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Date of Announcement: April 8 2023

Deadline: April 23 2023

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Reason: Regular > Regular Assignment

 

Job description

Nutrition and Food Security Associate Organizational Setting and Work Relationships The Nutrition and Food Security Associate supports UNHCR efforts in ensuring that international standards are met to protect and correct nutritional status and minimise avoidable morbidity and mortality among affected populations of concern (POC) in the country. The incumbent provides timely technical support to UNHCR senior management and partners on nutrition and food security programming in line with global and national technical standards, supports nutrition and food security monitoring and assessments. The Nutrition and Food Security Associate normally reports to a more senior Programme, Public Health, Nutrition and Food Security staff. 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 – Support the design and implementation of nutrition and food security programmes based on up-to-date assessment and identification of needs in support of national health systems. – Support the planning and implementation of UNHCR Standardized Expanded Nutrition Surveys, joint food security assessments with WFP and partners. – Support staff and partners to implement the Health Information Systems, SENS data base, Post Distribution Monitoring. – Analyse and interpret related nutrition, food security and health data for reporting and advocacy and support the exchange and analysis of information on nutrition and food security at the national level with government and other partners. – Provide technical assistance on nutrition and food security to UNHCR’s staff and partners. – Advise on matters related to procurement of sector-related materials and equipment, and regular update on new development and specifications of such items. – 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. – 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. – Ensure close coordination with other humanitarian actors involved in nutrition, food security and related areas. – Undertake regular missions to camps in order to support, monitor and evaluate the implementation of nutrition activities to ensure quality services. – Perform other related duties as required. Minimum Qualifications Education & Professional Work Experience Years of Experience / Degree Level For G6 – 3 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher Field(s) of Education Not applicable. Certificates and/or Licenses Public Health; Nutrition; Food Security; (Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential) Relevant Job Experience Essential Knowledge and experience in working in the area of nutrition (including Community Management of Acute Malnutrition) and food security with UNHCR or partners. Proven technical expertise in the area of nutrition and food security assessments and programme design. Experience in the collection and use of routine health and nutrition monitoring data. Analytical and creative thinking abilities with solutions oriented approach. Ability to provide formal and informal technical training to partner staff. Strong communication skills both verbal and in writing. Proficiency in computer software such as Excel, PowerPoint, and Word. Desirable Experience in multi-sectoral nutrition programming including understanding and experience in public health, WASH, agriculture and cash programming. Functional Skills IT-Computer Literacy NU- Nutrition Nu-Food Supplements,Smart Methodology, CMAM, IYCF Voucher Cash Transfer NU-Nutrition Treatment & Prevention of Micronutrient Deficiencies and Anaemia PG-Programme Management (programme cycles and reporting standards) (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.

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Job requirements

– Understanding of the GCR and CRRF
– Previous professional work with refugees and other populations of concern to UNHCR with UNHCR, NGO’s and / or UN agencies
– Expertise in nutrition and food security assessments including surveys, rapid screenings, and rapid assessments
– Experience in use of health and nutrition monitoring tools such as the Health Information System
– Knowledge of local institutions
– Minimum of 2 years of experience focused on nutrition/food security or public health including community mobilization, participatory planning, and rural/community development Minimum.
– University degree in food ;nutrition and dietetics or public health with experience in running food an nutrition programmes
– Fully competent and experienced in the use of computers using a Word, Excel, Email, PowerPoint Presentations.
– Experience in multi-sector programming for nutrition outcomes. 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

 

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

 

Nature of Position:

Ethiopia is one of the largest refugee asylum countries in Africa hosting more than 874,239 refugees. The ongoing conflict has significantly affected several refugee camps across the country, with camps in Assosa (Gure Shambolla and Tongo), Shire (Mai Aini and Adi Harush), Gambella (Okugo), and Afar (Berhale) all affected by conflict induced displacement, lack of access to services and increased insecurity, denoting increased basic needs including food security and nutrition. Refugees in Ethiopia predominantly reside in currently 23 operational camps/temporary sites (7 in Gambella, 5 in Melkadida, 3 in Jijiga, 3 in Assosa, 2 in Afar, 1 in Amhara and 2 in Tigray). The country provides protection to refugees from some 26 countries. Most refugees in Ethiopia (90%) live in camps across four of the least developed regions in Ethiopia (Gambella, Benishangul Gumuz, Tigray and Afar) while some reside in urban settlements, with a growing number of refugees in Addis Ababa. Almost 4 per cent of the refugee population in Ethiopia remains in protracted displacement, mostly South Sudanese and Somali refugees, with little prospects of returning home. The regions hosting refugees are characterized by harsh weather conditions, poor infrastructure, low administrative capacity, a high level of poverty and poor development indicators. The situation has been compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic and other epidemics (measles outbreak), conflict, global economic shocks, a lack of livelihoods and drought especially in the Somali region.

The population is food insecure due to limitations to timely access, availability, and utilization of food, compounded by insecurity affecting food supply chains and market functionality. Further ration cuts were applied in November 2021 from the current 84 per cent to 60 per cent of the recommended minimum dietary allowance (RDA) of 2,100 kilocalories per person per day and further cuts from June 2022 to meet only 50% of RDA. The current refugee food basket consists of pulses, vegetable oil, super cereal, iodized salt, and cereal, while sugar is not included due to funding constraints. The same food basket will continue in 2022, subject to availability of funds, and subject to availability of supply chain, noting the full ramifications of the Ukraine crisis are yet to be fully quantified.

The triple burden of malnutrition with the coexistence of food insecurity in refugee, IDP and host community is evident in the regular nutrition information and analysis. In 2021 UNHCR Standardized Expanded Nutrition Survey (SENS) conducted in 18 camps indicated very high prevalence of wasting in 3 camps (16 percent), high level in 9 camps (50 percent); and medium level in 4 camps (22 percent), while only 2 camps (11 percent) indicated low level of wasting. Stunting is high with a weighted average of 24.7% where 6 camps have very high stunting; 4 camps high, 4 medium, 3 low and 1 camp very low.

The human development index in relation to anaemia is low given critical levels and medium levels of anaemia among children 6-59 months and women in the childbearing age. Of the 18 surveyed camps, anaemia levels among children 6-59 months are critical 66.7% (12/18) above 40% and 27.8% (5/18) medium denoting delayed cognitive, motor, and effective long lasting development constraints. Women in the childbearing age (15-49 years) 44.4% (8/18) have medium prevalence between 20%-39% thus indicating poor nutritional status.

Breastfeeding indicators are improving in reference to the SENS survey where exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is averaged at 80.1% and timely initiation of breastfeeding at 79.6%.  Complementary feeding with introduction of solids and semi solid food is low at 42.8% linked to lack of access to adequate nutritious diets for growing infants and young children. Twelve camps have timely initiation of breastfeeding rate above 85%; 15 camps exclusive breastfeeding rate >75%,7 camps met UNHCR standard of >60% introduction of solid and semisolid foods.

The effects of food insecurity and inadequacy have been exacerbated by the impact of COVID- 19, in addition to ongoing conflicts that continue to affect livelihoods and economic dynamics for host communities and refugees regarding access to markets and delayed access to food assistance and cash, compounded by many thousands of refugees finding themselves displaced once again within the country, and thus deprived of regular access to services.

The Nutrition & Food Security Associate will be under the direct supervision of the Nutrition and Food Security Officer at the country level. H/she plays a key role in planning, organising, implementing, monitoring and evaluation UNHCR’s Nutrition and food security programmes for all persons of concern in Ethiopia with specific attention to refugees.  This will include undertaking regular field trips to monitor and support the implementation of Nutrition and food security activities to refugees; monitor refugee access to Food and nutrition services and ensure feedback relating to key nutrition data is provided by partners, relevant UN agencies. The incumbent will work closely with the federal and regional health sections and support synergies in line with the global compact of refugees; support development of context strategic development and implementation project activities to address identified needs.  This will be done in consultation with federal/regional Health, food and nutrition authorities, INGO partners; UN agencies especially WFP and UNICEF in the Nutrition and food security and through liaison with other sectors internally and externally within UNHCR (WASH, protection, programme, livelihood etc.) to ensure a multi-sectoral approach. The staff will work closely with the Senior Public Health Officer to enable results in the preventive and curative aspects especially the community-based activities, Reproductive health, epidemic preparedness, and response. The incumbent of this position will report to the Nutrition Officer, there is no supervisee under this position.

Living and Working Conditions:

Addis is the capital of Ethiopia. the city has an estimated population of 3 million 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 reside in commercial accommodation available in town (cf. UNDSS TRIP WEBSITE for the list of UN recommended hotels). There are limited medical facilities in Addis that are equipped to deal with moderate medical cases. Evacuation opportunities are also limited.
However, air ambulance evacuation can be organized for life- threatening emergencies during daytime. 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 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. Exchange of foreign currency outside the regulated banks (Black Market) is a criminal offence, 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. 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 an acceptable access to communication means, such as internet, telephone sim cards etc. PAMA is also available at the Offices.

 

Additional Qualifications

 

Skills

IT-Computer Literacy, NU-Food Supplements,Smart Methodology, CMAM, IYCF Voucher Cash Transfer, NU- Nutrition, NU-Nutrition Treatment & Prevention of Micronutrient Deficiencies and Anaemia, PG-Programme Management (programme cycles and reporting standards)

 

 

Certifications

Food Security – Other, Nutrition – Other, Public Health – Other

 

Competencies

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

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

Compendium

Additional Information

This position doesn’t require a functional clearance

 

How to Apply

 

To Apply for this vacancy Click on the ‘Apply Now’  button below. Please make sure that you have read the requirements section very well before you apply.

 

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