Regional Nutrition Specialist

Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET)

Chemonics International Inc., a leading international consulting firm based in Washington, D.C., seeks experienced professionals for the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET III) project. FEWS NET is the world’s premier provider of high quality food security analysis and early warning. Created in response to the 1984 famines in East and West Africa, this $200 million, five-year activity (2012-2016) aims to collaborate with international, regional, and national partners to provide timely and rigorous early warning and analysis of potential, emerging, and/or evolving food security issues in order to inform appropriate humanitarian response. The project currently covers 31 countries, with plans to expand over the coming three-year phase.

Chemonics International Inc. is looking for individuals who have a passion for making a difference in the lives of people around the world and demonstrate leadership, versatility, and integrity in their work. This is a local-hire position based in Nairobi, Kenya with some international travel in sub-Saharan Africa, Europe, and the United States. Interested candidates should send their CV and cover letter to fewsnutrition@gmail.com by February 28, 2014.

Position Description
Nutritional status is an indicator of food security for donors, food security practitioners, and the public. It is a critical input for comprehensive food security analysis. Improved early warning-related nutrition knowledge is vital to inform program planning and improve preparedness for potential nutrition crises.

There are five major elements in FEWS NET’s nutrition work:

·         Build a nutrition knowledge base

·         Develop analytical capability

·         Conduct nutrition causal analysis research

·         Fully integrate nutrition into analyses framework and core monitoring and assessment plan

·         Integrate nutrition into decision support

The Regional Nutrition Specialist (RNS) will help develop a nutritional database, and provide guidance for the integration of nutritional information into FEWS NET’s food security and early warning analysis. The RNS will also undertake other activities to increase the knowledge base of health and nutrition within a food security context. The RNS will support the Nutrition Advisor in implementing Early Warning Systems through training and capacity building while offering support and guidance to FEWS NET staff and partners. The RNS will also coordinate nutrition field work in his or her regional of assignment.

Activities
The main activities of the RNS include, but are not limited to:

·         Implementing the training and capacity building program for FEWS NET staff and partners;

·         Supporting the Nutrition Advisor in developing guidance documents and country program analyses;

·         Undertaking nutrition analysis as well as highlighting and contextualizing the most appropriate interventions and advise its utility for nutrition security early warning systems;

·         Contributing to identifying and provide technical support to new partnerships;

·         Providing technical support and facilitating the development and rollout of guidelines on how to integrate nutrition early warning systems and decisions support;

·         Travelling within the region as and when required to form part of the quick deployment team to conduct surveys when necessary;

·         Contributing to relevant operations research as required and development of nutrition products;

·         Supporting the analysis and reporting of nutritional information in regular reports by staff;

·         Contributing to other FEWS NET information products required by the local and DC-based team;

·         Reporting on progress while also following monitoring and evaluation of the implementation plan.

The Regional Nutrition Specialist is an integral member of the FEWS NET regional team and will work under the supervision of the Nutrition Advisor. S/He will collaborate with a team of regional technical experts and other technical staff of the region under the leadership of the Regional Technical Manager. The RNS will be required to travel intensely within his/her region of posting, and some international travel in sub-Saharan Africa, Europe, and the United States may be required.

Qualifications

·         At minimum, a masters degree in a discipline that is directly relevant to nutrition and/or food security;

·         At least five years of relevant regional experience in a nutrition-related field with direct applications in food security and early warning;

·         At least five years of experience working with food security information systems, food security analysis, nutrition, food security in the context of conflict, and other related fields;

·         Demonstrated ability to effectively conduct rapid assessments, focus group discussions, key information interviews, and other rapid rural appraisal techniques;

·         Demonstrated ability to work and coordinate effectively with partners and stakeholders;

·         Excellent computer, communication, analytical, and report-writing skills

Additional desired qualifications

·         Experience working with USAID;

·         Knowledge of French

·         GIS and mapping skills; and

·         Supervisory, management, and donor coordination experience.

The successful candidate must be able to speak, read, and write final reports in English and the local/regional language(s). Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.