National Nutrition Officer, (Position no. 325052)

Application Deadline: 3 March 2011 (3 day(s) until closing deadline) Currently accepting applications Duty Station: Kabul, Afghanistan Organization unit: EMCO Countries (EM_ACO) / EM_AFG WHO Representative's Office, Afghanistan (EM_AFG) Division of Health Protection and Promotion (DHP), Nutrition (NUT)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME : The overall objective of the nutrition programme is to reduce malnutrition of all types including micronutrient deficiency diseases through integrated and coordinated programming.

Description of duties: Purpose of the post: Provide technical expertise to Public Nutrition Programme in planning, implementation, supervision, monitoring and evaluation of routine nutrition activities in line with Public Nutrition Directorate (PND) National Strategy and WHO Nutrition Programme. Organizational Context: Under the general guidance of WHO Representative in Afghanistan and direct supervision of Maternal and Child Health Professional Officer (MCH), the National Officer will: Coordinate the implementation of the capacity building component of the Millennium Development Goals Fund (MDG-F) Project, in coordination with the other technical team of Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL) and the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) and other participating agencies. The incumbent's major responsibility is to provide technical support to the Government, in particular MoPH, implementing partners and other stakeholders involved in the project at national, sub-national and community levels, including design, implementing and monitoring the nutrition based activities. Summary of assigned duties: - Develop nutrition advocacy and communication strategy for MoPH, through consultative process with all key partners. - Prepare workplan including all key activities of the project including the key activities with a timetable in consultation with key partners namely the Joint Programme Technical Advisory Committee (JPTAC), Programme Management Committee (PMC) and the National Steering Committee (NSC). - Develop advocacy materials and key messages in nutrition to the targeted beneficiaries, through pamphlets, posters, TV spots...etc. - Develop training material in the area of nutrition advocacy and communications for MoPH and other partners. - Conduct training to the key partners involved in the project in the area of nutrition and food security. - Implement the community-based nutrition activities. - Ensure close linkages to nutrition interventions implemented by other participating agencies, in particular the MoPH, UNICEF, FAO and WFP. - Mobilize additional resources from donors communities to support the nutrition surveillance system and other related activities. - Work closely with MoPH, other Ministries, UN agencies and other organizations to ensure mainstreaming nutrition in other related programmes. - Prepare and facilitate short term missions that support JPTAC and the WHO operations, to ensure that mission's objectives are accomplished. - Monitor the implementation of the project and prepare for regular evaluations, and other reporting requirements.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Essential: - University degree in medicine. Desirable: - Training in components of nutrition. - Postgraduate studies in public health.

Skills: Competencies: 1) Producing result. 2) Fostering integration and teamwork. 3) Creating an empowering and motivating environment. 4) Communicating in a credible and effective way. Functional Skills and knowledge: - Experience in conducting trainings and workshops as well as skills in participatory approaches are a necessity. - Ability to prepare and give presentations to public audiences and donors is a requirement. - A strong commitment of working in a team is a condition. Other skills: Good computer skills (Word, Excel, Power Point, Email, Internet applications and Outlook).

Experience: Essential: At least one year experience in the field of nutrition. Desirable: Experience with national and international organizations in the field of nutrition and food safety.

Languages: Excellent knowledge of English and local languages.

Additional Information: POST IS OPEN FOR LOCAL RECRUITMENT ONLY. APPLICANTS MUST BE NATIONAL OF THE COUNTRY OF ASSIGNMENT. Applicants are kindly requested to pay attention to the screening questions as they will be used to screen out unqualified candidates. Only qualified applicants with the relevant experience will be considered. A written test/presentation and interviews will be used as a form of screening. The written test might be used as an eliminatory tool. Other similar positions at the same level may be filled from this vacancy notice. Candidates will be interviewed using a competency-based approach.

Annual salary: (Net of tax) USD 26,523 at single rate

Online applications are strongly encouraged to enable WHO to store your profile in a permanent database. Please visit WHO's e-Recruitment website at: www.who.int/employment. The system provides instructions for online application procedures.

All applicants are encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the vacancy has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the vacancy announcement.