Country: Burundi
Closing date: 24 Jul 2018
Job Title: Fortification Consultant P3 Level
ABOUT WFP
The United Nations World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. The mission of WFP is to help the world achieve Zero Hunger in our lifetimes. Every day, WFP works worldwide to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry and that the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly women and children, can access the nutritious food they need.
BACKGROUND
Malnutrition is a serious development and public health issue in Burundi. Burundi is the country most affected by stunting in Africa and second in the globally rankings of countries most affected by stunting. The average prevalence is 56%, with roughly half of stunted children having a severe form of stunting (DHS 2016/17). It is important to note that 5 provinces have stunting levels over 60%. Acute malnutrition (GAM) is also becoming a greater problem as a result of worsening socio-economic trends and as well as deteriorating food security indicators. The prevalence of GAM is 5 percent at national level ranging from 1.5 percent to 8.1 percent depending on the province. A recent MIRA study in 2017 showed that 2 provinces assessed had GAM over 10%, one at 17%, while 3 provinces had level of SAM over the threshold of 2%. A SMART survey is planned in 2018.
Micronutrient Deficiencies
Micronutrient deficiencies are also of grave concern. There is a high prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia, at 61% amongst children under five and 39 % for women of reproductive age (DHS 2016/17). Between 2010 and 2016 anaemia in children increased from 44% to 61% (DHS). Over the same period the prevalence of anaemia in women doubled from 18% to 35%. A comprehensive micronutrient survey has not been conducted in Burundi, however, given the information that is available and the significant burden of chronic malnutrition it is evident that much needs to be done in addressing micronutrient deficiencies especially given the role of specific micronutrients in the development of stunting in children under 5.
The government of Burundi has shown a commitment to addressing micronutrient deficiencies. With the support of WFP and other partners, in 2016 a presidential decree was issued which outlined the mandatory fortification of wheat and maize. The application of this decree has been weak and significant support is needed in ensuring that commodities are fortified in line with the national standards. In addition, UNICEF and other partners including WFP are working on the process of salt iodization.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
WFP is the leading UN agency in Burundi for the prevention and treatment of Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM) and develops food-based programmatic approaches for the prevention of stunting and micronutrient deficiencies. WFP is supporting the government in capacity building and upstream policy support on nutrition, in particular within the SUN framework. WFP’s work on fortification includes the support at national level to help the state structures implement the fortification strategy. WFP also assists industrial and small to medium scale millers produce fortified commodities in line with quality and safety standards. WFP has provided support to the use of MNPs (micronutrient powders) in a number of communes in Burundi.
WFP is the lead for fortification in a number of joint projects with UNICEF/FAO and UNFPA. A common thread within the joint projects, in the fight again malnutrition, has been the support to fortification through providing local millers the right technical support and inputs needed to fortify at provincial level in order to supply the local market. The joint projects also focus on the legal and regulatory environment, the supply and the demand and the strengthening of institutional frameworks and increasing community awareness and demand. One critical point is how the private sector is co-opted into the process and how the private sector and government are aware of the benefits which fortification brings both in terms of human development improvements and economics gains. This is done in close collaboration with SUN process at national level. At present there are a number of working groups established where issues of fortification are discussed however these groups do not meet and there is a need to consolidate the dialogue on fortification into one structure.
STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Standard Minimum Academic Qualification
- Education: Advanced University degree in Nutrition, Public Health, Food Technology, Project Management or other field relevant to international development assistance. Alternative qualifications with clearly demonstrated results in the area of fortification will be looked at favourably.
- Language; English and a strong working knowledge of French is desirable for this role
JOB PURPOSE
Under the direct supervision of the Head of Nutrition, the consultant will be responsible for the overall management of fortification activities. The consultant will provide overall management for fortification activities in the joint projects in which WFP is the lead for fortification. The consultant will be accountable for the financial resources management, inter-agency coordination, donor coordination, reporting and ensuring the project deliverables are achieved in all the joint initiatives.
Working in close collaboration with the relevant government authorities, the consultant will support the strengthening of institutional coordination mechanisms, ensure the appropriate national policies and strategies related to food fortification and micronutrient deficiencies are in place. The consultant will also help facilitate greater private sector partnership, from the use of MNPs to the identification of new players in the milling domain both at large scale and small to medium scale. The consultant may also be called up to lead in the development of new funding proposals and the elaboration of new joint initiatives.
SPECIFIC TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Provide overall strategic, technical and managerial guidance to the nutrition team on the implementation of the joint fortification projects
In line with the joint project objectives, strengthen the capacity thorough the provision of technical support and guidance on capital investment so that local small to medium sized millers can produce locally fortified flour for the market in line with national standards
Provide technical support on the WFP MNPs programme and look for opportunities to expand the scope in close partnership with UNICEF
Jointly plan and oversee the implementation of all fortification projects related activities internally, ensuring regular coordination with WFP’s resource management, finance, external relations and other programme colleagues, including P4P and the School Meals programme
Support local millers in forming linkages with the WFP School Meals programme. In practice this would involve advising local millers on the equipment and technical needs in order to be able to supply the existing schools supported by WFP. This support may include assisting them in preparing a funding proposal
Support key medium sized millers supported through the WHH joint MOU which involves identification of equipment needs and leading on trainings of staff
Help revitalize and rationalize the national technical structures where fortification is discussed in particular to ensure the roll out of the national policy and strategy on fortification
Ensure regular and close coordination with UNICEF/FAO/UNFPA and WHO on project implementation, joint missions, monitoring and reporting through meetings and written updates
Ensure project reporting, both financial and programmatic are provided on time and in coordination with other country office units in particular finance, supply chain and other programme units
Work closely with the communications unit to ensure that WFP’s work on fortification is highlighted and shared with national stakeholders
The consultant will work closely with programme management to look for opportunities to expand the scope of WFP’s work on fortification
Report regularly to the Head of Nutrition and prepare progress reports and updates for internal and external audiences
Document progress made and lessons learned from the projects
Undertake additional tasks as required ensuring that the various project objectives are achieved
Work closely with supply chain and programme colleagues at both regional office and country office level to ensure that measures are in place to provide premix to WFP suppliers on a needs basis.
FUNCTIONAL CAPABILITIES
FUNCTIONAL CAPABILITIES:
Capability Name Description of the behaviour expected for the proficiency level
Knowledge of Nutrients Has strong understanding of key nutrients requirements, food sources, food science
and food technology related to vitamins and minerals to present evidence on
nutrition effectively to WFP staff and partners.
Situation Analysis and
Evidence Assessment
Leverages new evidence and applies that to provide technical advice, identify and prioritise country nutrition gaps, design programmes and train staff and partners on
the new evidence.
Knowledge of Public Health Ability to analyze data to determine overall health status, determining factors relating to nutrition, and possible areas of intervention for health and nutrition.
Knowledge of Food System Expert knowledge of emerging trends and developments in food systems and value chain transformations, as well as innovative programming, policies and interventions achieving good nutrition-promoting food systems.
Applying Programme & Policy Standards**
Leverages nutrition knowledge to provide technical advice to governments to design and implement country nutrition programmes that follow international and WFP
agency standards and guidance.
OTHER SPECIFIC JOB REQUIREMENTS
- Lead the development and implementation of a workplan and overseeing and delivering activities that identify, develop and maintain partnerships and maximise funds. Also by ensuring timely and cost effective delivery of results in accordance with WFP and the corporate strategy, including through the implementation of the Integrated Roadmap (IRM);
- Manage a portfolio of partnerships, soliciting contributions, providing donor stewardship, forecasting, negotiating changes and assessing results, to maximise resources raised;
- Oversee and approve the information collated from media and local internal & external sources to facilitate and maximise the exchange of information and data flow between functional areas networks in WFP. Provide operational awareness and understanding of events that may have humanitarian and/or operational impact;
- Collaborate with counterparts in other UN agencies to ensure consistency in humanitarian information and to complement WFP analysis and information;
- Advise management on strategic entry points opportunities and relations with donors, the government, NGOs, private sector, and develop strategies to widen the current donor pool and partners opportunities;
- Identify, build, maintain and consolidate effective partnerships with donors, UN agencies, NGOs, host government and other partners;
- Coordinate reporting activities;
- Monitor and review situation reports for WFP Headquarters summarizing WFP activities; assist in the preparation, writing and editing of all other reports required by Headquarters;
- Other as required.
DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE
3 – 5 years of relevant experience with progressively increasing responsibilities in the field of nutrition and health and/or food technology in low income and/or middle income environments
Proven experience managing complex mulitstakeholder projects in a related field either as a team leader or a manager of a specific output
Experience working on a food based response to the prevention and control of micronutrient deficiencies
Experience of working with local millers/local producers. Ideally the candidate will have previous experience in providing technical support to small and medium sized millers and will have an understanding of the challenges which are faced in fortifying at a decentralized level
Experience of working with the private sector showing an understanding of the role of the private sector in response to malnutrition
Strong analytical, networking, and coordination skills with excellent written and oral communication. Ability to negotiate with a variety of actors from the public sector and civil society
Leadership, resistance to stress, ability to work within and lead a team, strong drive for results, cultural sensitivity
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Duration of Assignment: 11 months with possibility of extension
Type of Contract: Regular International Consultant
Level Professional: P3
Duty Station: Bujumbura in Burundi WFP Country Office(with field visits to selected areas of Burundi)
Security level : D duty station
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS
Wednesday July 24th, 2018
.
Female applicants and qualified applicants from developing countries are especially encouraged to apply
WFP has zero tolerance for discrimination and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status.
No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.
How to apply:
Modalités de soumission des candidatures : Uniquement par courrier électronique à l’adresse ci-après : http://www.wfp.org/: Chercher « *E-Recruitment*** » ; Allez à : «** Get involved » ; Cliquez sur : « Career **» ; Cliquez sur « ***View Job Opportunities » ; Cherchez « Country*** » où est situé le poste ; Allez à «** Filter vacancies » ; Cliquez sur « View vacancy » du post désiré ; Sélectionnez « Apply **» puis à « ***Create Account*** » ; Entrez vos détails ; Allez sur votre E-mail vérifiez votre compte ; Connectez-vous, Créez votre profil et appliquez.