Project Nutrition Support Specialist
Job Description
Organizational Setting
FAO is expanding its sectoral interventions in Kenya to the Dadaab refugee camps in Dadaab and Fafi sub-counties of Garissa County. Subsequently, FAO is jointly with UNHABITAT, UNHCR and WFP implementing the “Building Refugee Settlements in Kenya” project in Dadaab from 1st January 2024- 31st December 2026, under the European Union funded Flexible Mechanism for Migration and Forced Displacement in Sub-Saharan Africa. The Overall Objective of the project is to contribute to the roll-out of refugee settlements in Kenya in which displacement affected communities (asylum seekers, refugees, and the host community) participate in fostering their common socio-economic inclusion and self-reliance.
FAO, alongside WFP will be implementing activities aimed at achieving the Specific Objective 1: Improved availability and up-take of fresh, locally- produced and nutritious foods. These will include components on skills development and promotion of household production and consumption of nutritious, safe, and diverse food; preservation and processing for year-round food availability with an aim to contribute to a reduction of malnutrition affecting the refugees and host communities in Dadaab.
Reporting Lines
The Project Nutrition Support Specialist will work under the overall guidance of the FAO Representative in Kenya and with guidance from the Assistant FAO Representative in charge of Programmes in FAO Kenya, and the direct supervision of the Project lead/Agribusiness specialist and technical supervision of nutrition team leader.
Technical Focus
The Project Nutrition Support Specialist will work in consultation with the FAO Nutrition Sensitive Agriculture Specialists and in close collaboration with the agriculture and health ministries at county level; the Specialist will support implementation of the nutrition aspects of the ‘Building Refugee Settlements in Kenya’ project in Garissa County – Dadaab.
Tasks and responsibilities
• Support capacity building efforts targeted at the Garissa County government executive and County officers on Nutrition-sensitive Agriculture and Food Systems.
• Support establishment of 5 model gardens which will serve as learning sites to produce nutrient-dense, diverse, bio-fortified, and drought-resistant crops.
• In close collaboration with WFP, support Social Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) formative research, develop key messages and design interventions as informed by the research.
• Support activities of Social Behavior Change Communication on nutrition and food safety targeted at refugee and host community households.
• Lead identification of Community-Based Extension Service Providers (CBESP).
• Support establishment and maintenance of kitchen garden technologies and poultry keeping by host and refugee households.
• Lead initiatives that promote appropriate preparation, processing, preservation, and storage of locally produced nutrient-dense foods, by host and refugee households. Joint field monitoring with the service provider
• Track progress of reporting with a lens on nutrition indicators
• Represent FAO in County coordination platforms for nutrition.
• Perform any other duty as requested.
Skills and Qualifications
Minimum Requirements
• University degree in nutrition, home economics, food science or any other relevant field.
• 5 years of professional experience in implementing field-based projects with a nutrition component.
• Working knowledge of English and Kiswahili
• National of Kenya
FAO Core Competencies
• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
• Experience in nutrition sensitive agriculture will be an added advantage.
• Experience in report writing will be an added advantage.
• Ability to read, write and communicate in local languages including Somali.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/
For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.
FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.
How to apply
• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.
If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance: https://fao.service-now.com/csp
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