The WHO Inter-country Support Team for West Africa was established in 2006 in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) to provide support to seventeen countries: Algeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Côte d'Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Guinea Conakry, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Mauritania, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo.
The main objective of IST/WA Nutrition is to support countries in the implementation of the comprehensive plan for maternal, infant and young child nutrition. This includes the development/revision/implementation of policies and strategic plans related to nutrition in line with international recommendations. It also supports the strengthening of nutrition surveillance systems to assist countries in measuring progress towards achievement of national nutrition goals.
2. Consultancy objectives
OVERALL OBJECTIVE
To strengthen the role of the unit by providing technical support to West African countries in the development of nutrition strategies and implementation of effective national nutrition programmes to improve maternal, infant and young child nutrition.
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES:
(i) In close collaboration with country teams and partners, provide support to countries to implement nutrition interventions as part of development efforts or in response to crisis situations:
a. Provide support to WHO country office staff for the implementation of the nutrition work plan
b. Assist countries in developing and implementing national nutrition policies and multi-sectoral strategies with a special focus on strengthening health workforce capacities;
c. Monitor and evaluate nutrition activities
d. Respond as required to humanitarian crises requiring nutrition action
(ii) Contribute to strengthening nutrition capacity at regional- and country-level by providing training or support for the design or adaptation of training materials, adaptation of WHO guidelines, and serve as a WHO resource person in training events
(iii) Advise and support programme managers on improving performance so as to meet programme targets and goals
(iv) Establish effective collaboration with priority programmes at sub-regional and country levels, with special focus on the development and implementation of nutrition initiatives
(v) Collaborate with regional networks in ongoing efforts to improve nutrition (SUN movement, REACH initiative, other UN agencies and NGOs working in nutrition)
(vi) Provide support to countries to address the synergies of nutrition and food safety issues.
3.Competencies:
1) Producing results;
2) Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences;
3) Building and promoting partnerships across the Organization and beyond;
4) Communicating in a credible and effective way;
5) Driving WHO to a successful future.
4. Functional skills and knowledge:
1) Knowledge of the current global health and nutrition issues and stakeholder positions in the global health policy landscape;
2) State-of-the-art knowledge of health systems in West Africa;
3) Proven negotiation and networking skills;
4) Computer skills (Word processing, Spreadsheet, Presentations);
5) Proven ability to plan, monitor & evaluate
5. Education (Qualifications):
Essential: University degree in medicine and/or a Masters or Ph.D. in Public Health Nutrition or allied field.
6.Experience:
Essential: At least 5 years’ experience, in part or wholly in developing countries, in the field of public health, nutrition and/or international development, spanning operational work as well as policy formulation.
Desirable: Experience working with multiple stakeholders in strategic planning at national and/or international level and country-level implementation of activities in collaboration with sectors other than health will be an advantage
7. Languages:
Excellent knowledge of French or English, and a good working knowledge of the other. Knowledge of Portuguese will be an added advantage.
HOW TO APPLY: Send your cv to domingueze@who.int
DEADLINE FOR CV RECEPTION: 13/9/2015