ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Field Coordinator, in liaising with Brach Office Nutrition team, the Nutrition Officer is expected to provide policy and technical guidance on nutrition, training, carry out joint assessments, nutrition surveys, coordinate implementation of the programme with WFP and UNICEF, ensure standard settings and protocols, compile and provide data on nutrition situations.

In order to ensure wider reach out to the refugee and reinforce their close involvement in the delivery and management of nutrition services, the incumbent will need to establish an appropriate consultative and monitoring framework which would draw the experience and expertise of a wide range of actors both internally and externally.

The incumbent of the position will oversee and supervise the Nutrition programmes in all refugee camps in Gamella, and provide strong technical guidance to partners, monitor and evaluate the programme and ensure and lead monthly nutrition coordination meetings.

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT

Accountability

• Nutrition programmes are coordinated in order to ensure that minimum UNHCR and international standards are met.
• The prioritization of the nutrition and food assistance strategy is supported focusing on prevention and treatment activities, including ensuring appropriate food availability at entry points, transit sites and in camps, referral and management of MAM and SAM, IYCF, community based nutrition linkages and monitoring components.
• Nutrition data is available for incorporation into the Health Information System and is analysed and interpreted to serve as evidence base for planning and interventions.
• The WFP/UNHCR Memorandum of Understanding¿ and general policies on Food and Nutrition Programme Management are adhered to including provision of complementary foods, micronutrients, feeding programmes etc.
• The liaison with WFP in all aspects related to the general food distribution and food aid is maintained.
• Joint Assessment Missions (JAM), nutritional survey and other assessments are adequately conducted and implemented.
• Nutrition coordination meetings are regularly conducted with all relevant partners.

Responsibility

• Coordinate field level nutrition programmes in co-operation with government, UN agencies, UNHCR partners, and other humanitarian partners.
• Formulate and submit projects including budget to respond to the assessed and prioritized needs in collaboration with appropriate authorities, partners and UNHCR programme and technical sectors.
• Monitor and evaluate field level nutrition programmes against UNHCR and international standards to ensure that programmes are evidence-based and implemented in a comprehensive and cost-effective manner; this will include data analysis, interpretation and monitoring of programme impact.
• Assess and build technical capacity of UNHCR and its partners including training and inclusion of nutrition and food security into cross cutting issues such as HIV/AIDS.
• Assess the training needs of nutrition and / or health workers on nutrition and develop a training programme to meet these needs and support.
• Ensure that the UNHCR responsibilities and obligations in the WFP/UNHCR Memorandum of Understanding, and the nutrition components of UNHCR/UNICEF Letter of Understanding are implemented.
• In collaboration with WFP and partners, coordinate and provide technical support to Joint Assessment Missions (JAMs), nutrition surveys as well as implementation of the JAM and nutrition survey recommendations.
• Provide technical leadership, technical support and guidance to implementing and operational partners, including on the integration of a nutrition component into the overall primary health care programmes and curative services.
• Work closely with UNHCR programme, field, health, WASH, livelihoods and protection staff to identify priority nutrition issues and key data requirements for programme planning and monitoring to ensure that minimum UNHCR and international standards are being met.
• Ensure regular updates and share information within UNHCR as well as with relevant government, UN and implementing and operational partners, counterparts and donor communities in the host country on their nutritional status and needs.
• Contribute to standard setting and monitoring of nutrition programme, and establish and maintain sound surveillance systems through health and nutrition information system.
• Follow up with WFP on coordination and technical support provision to Post Distribution Monitoring (PDM), Food Basket Monitoring (FBM) as well as General Food Distribution (GFD).
• Submit regular nutrition reports including weekly updates, monthly, mid-year, and annual reports, as well as other reports when required.
• Advocate, inform, and communicate amongst stakeholders to ensure that refugee nutrition and food security issues are addressed and that the nutritional needs and status of refugees and other persons of concern to UNHCR are appropriately documented and disseminated including micronutrient deficiencies.
• Establish an appropriate consultative and monitoring framework, which would draw the experience and expertise of a wide range of actors both internally and externally.
• Support the prioritization of the nutrition strategy, and participate in the programming cycle to draw proposals and budgets related to nutrition and food assistance.
• Perform any other duty as requested.

Authority

• Enforce UNHCR¿s standards and guidelines in nutrition.
• Make recommendations to Senior Management on nutrition issues concerning refugees.
• Represent UNHCR at the meetings related to the function.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• University degree in Human Nutrition or related field.
• Minimum 8 years (6 years with advanced university degree) of relevant experience; at least 3 years of this experience should be in a capacity directly relevant to the current position in the UN or in an international organization dealing with large-scale emergencies or displaced/refugee situations.
• Proven technical expertise in the area of nutrition and food security assessments including surveys, rapid screenings and rapid assessments in the public health nutrition areas.
• Ability to coordinate a range of diverse actors and activities to achieve a common objective in the area of public health and WASH is essential.
• Exposure to UNHCR mandate, its priorities and principles.
• Knowledge and experience of working with partner agencies with a capacity to provide formal and informal training.
• Proficiency in computer software such as Excel, PowerPoint, Word, ENA, Ep info.
• Excellent knowledge of English language.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES

• Experience, advanced training and combined knowledge in various related fields: e.g. public health, food assistance, IYCF, reproductive health, WASH.
• Experience in nutrition surveys, implementation of micro-nutrients programme.