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TERMS OF REFERENCE
Position title :Emergency Nutrition Officer
Duty Station: Ndjamena, Chad
Duration of assignment: Three months, with possible extension, starting from 1st December 2015
Background and context
Since the beginning of 2013, the repeated assaults of the armed group Boko Haram in the neighboring regions of Lake Chad have caused massive displacements and forced populations to seek refuge in neighboring countries, Cameroon, Niger and Chad. According to the latest food security nutrition analysis, the impact of the conflict in Nigeria and bordering regions remains unclear. However, the latest SMART nutrition surveys in Far North region of Cameroon (13.4% GAM), and in Diffa region of Niger (17.1% GAM) seem to show a slight deterioration of the nutrition situation during the 2015 lean season. In Kanem region of Chad, a SMART Nutrition survey conducted in June 15 indicated a GAM prevalence of 22.1%. In Nigeria, the current GAM prevalence in the NE states ranges from 7.1% in Adamawa to 11 % in Yobe. Stunting prevalence stand at a critical to very critical level, according to WHO thresholds, in all these regions.
In December 2014, WFP launched a regional emergency operation to respond to the immediate food and nutritional needs of vulnerable populations in Cameroon, Chad and Niger. In addition, technical assistance is provided to Nigeria government to assist the vulnerable populations in the North East states of Nigeria.
Considering the results of the 2014-2015 WFP Nutrition response, the latest security development, the recent deterioration of the nutrition and the latest nutrition recommendations for reducing undernutrition, the WFP’s Regional Bureau of West Africa, in close coordination with Country Offices has decided to adjust WFP’s nutrition response strategy.
The main objectives of the new WFP Nutrition response strategy are:
1)To implement nutrition specific and nutrition sensitive interventions having a proven a sustainable impact on the reduction of both wasting and stunting and associated mortality ;
2)To scale up the joint delivery an essential package of complementary services, targeting the most vulnerable populations; and
3)To design and implement a robust monitoring and evaluation system aiming at building evidence on the impact of WFP food and nutrition response in Lake Chad basin.
Duties and Responsibilities
Reporting to the Regional Nutrition Advisor and in coordination with the rest of the Nutrition Unit, other regional and country offices staff, the Emergency Nutrition Officer will be responsible for the following duties, focusing mainly on the provision of technical assistance for the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of WFP Nutrition response in the regions of Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon impacted by the Lake Chad Crisis:
Nutrition Programme Implementation
a)Provide technical assistance to Country Offices aiming at improving implementation of WFP’s nutrition strategy, and activities throughout the targeted regions to ensure effective delivery of joint food security and nutrition assistance;
b)Develop Blanket Supplementary Feeding operational guidelines including : selection of beneficiary, joint delivery mechanisms, staffing, integration of complementary services, Behavioral Change Communication, management of non food items, monitoring and evaluation;
c)Undertake regular field missions (2 missions /month/country) to provide on the job training, formative supervision to WFP field staff and Nutrition partners in Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon if security situation allows.
d)Develop a documentation on best practices and evidence of success of nutrition activities in the Lake Chad Basin;
Assessment and Information Management
e)Oversee preparation and dissemination of timely analytical and critical reports including monitoring and evaluation reports;
f)Provide technical assistance to Country Offices Nutrition and M&E units for the establishment of a robust M&E framework, including systematic nutrition screening at food distribution sites, assessment of participation and coverage in nutrition prevention activities, as per recommendations 2014-2017 WFP Strategic Results Framework;
g)Elaborate monthly report on nutrition treatment and prevention activities in the targeted regions;
Coordination
h)Promote actively integration of nutrition specific and nutrition sensitive interventions among the relevantactors involved in the humanitarian response to Lake Chad Basin crisis(Government, U.N agencies, NGO, communities);
i)Foster implementation of the 2015-2020 Joint UNICEF- WFP Framework for addressing undernutrition in West and Central Africa ;
j)Participate actively in national andfield coordinnation forum directly related to WFP’s nutrition operations in the Lake Chad Basin. These include: Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition (IMAM), Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF), Micronutrient, and Nutrition Information Management workin groups etc..
Educational Requirements
At least a master’s degree in public health nutrition, international studies or other related field.
Minimum Work Experience
- At least 4 years of relevant experience in nutrition programming in emergency and post emergency settings
- Previous experience in similar regional support and advisory role
- Previous Working experience in West and Central Africa is desirable
Working Languages
- Fluency in both English and French (level C) is essential
Critical success Factors
- Ability to travel frequently and to work in difficult environments.
- Ability to engage effectively at field level with a wide range of actors including those in the international humanitarian community and governments;
- Good computer knowledge and skills;
- Ability to work under tight deadlines and simultaneously manage multiple tasks in an autonomous manner;
- Previous work experience with UN organisations is desirable;
- Maturity, initiative, courtesy, tact and ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.
- Ability to handle any other additional tasks as requested by his supervisor.
If interested, please send CV to and as soon as possible, no later than 24 November 2015.