Young Professional Officer (Nutrition And Food Systems)

The Young Professional Officer (Nutrition and Food Systems) supports FAO's efforts in West Africa to integrate nutrition-sensitive and nutrition-focused approaches into agriculture and food systems programming. The role involves technical support, policy analysis, capacity development, and strengthening multisectoral coordination to improve nutrition and food security in the subregion.

Responsibilities

• Analyse relevant technical social, economic, environmental, and technology information, data and/or statistics for input in various documents.
• Maintain records and update databases and web pages.
• Provide technical support to various projects.
• Collaborate in the development of training tools and materials and the organization of workshops/seminars.
• Participate in the organization and follow-up of meetings, consultations and conferences, the production of required materials and the provision of information and assistance to partners.
• Assist in integrating nutrition-sensitive agriculture and food systems approaches into FAO programmes and projects in West Africa.
• Contribute to the formulation of project concept notes, proposals and provide technical inputs to strengthening the integration of nutrition considerations in regional and national interventions.
• Support the alignment of project documents with national nutrition priorities, FAO global frameworks, the SDGs, WHA Nutrition Targets and the UN Decade of Action on Nutrition.
• Support SFW and FAO Country Offices in reviewing project proposals, implementing nutrition-sensitive interventions and preparing technical notes.
• Assist with technical backstopping missions and preparation of field visit materials, data collection tools and follow-up reports.
• Support the organization of regular meetings of Nutrition focal points in SFW region for information sharing, capacity building, Monitoring Evaluation and Learning (MEL), and fostering joint efforts to improve nutrition in the sub region.
• Assist in strengthening multisectoral collaboration among agriculture, health, social protection, education and environment sectors to promote integrated nutrition strategies.
• Support the review and enhancement of national and subregional coordination mechanisms involving RECs such as ECOWAS, CILSS, UEMOA and other partners.
• Contribute to the development of national and subregional nutrition action plans, ensuring a holistic food systems approach.
• Perform other duties as required.

Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Nutrition or a related field, such as Food Science, Food Security, Agriculture, Food Technology, and Public Health, integrating nutrition into agriculture.
• One year of relevant experience in nutrition-sensitive programming, food security, agricultural development or related fields, preferably in developing countries.
• Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).
• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is desirable.
• Experience in collecting and analysing technical information and data.
• Knowledge and experience in related fields such as policy and programme initiatives in strengthening nutrition and agrifood systems.
• Experience in the preparation, editing and revision of technical/scientific documents and in organizing meetings and workshops.
• Experience in strengthening nutrition and agrifood systems.
• Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of French is considered an asset.
• Candidates should be 32 years of age or younger as of 31 December of the year of application.

Skills

• Nutrition-Sensitive Programming
• Food Security
• Agricultural Development
• Nutrition integration in agriculture
• Data Collection
• Policy Analysis
• Program Development
• Technical Document Development
• Scientific editing
• Workshop Organization
• Capacity Development
• Inter-sectoral Coordination
• Nutrition and agrifood systems
• Food Systems Programming
• English Language Proficiency
• FAO Official Languages
• French Proficiency

Languages

English, French