Regional Nutritionist
Requisition ID: 19865
Region: Africa, Senegal
Contract type: Open-ended contract
What we do
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) works worldwide to provide humanitarian assistance to people affected by conflict and armed violence. We take action in response to emergencies and at the same time promote respect for international humanitarian law. We are an independent and neutral organization, and our mandate stems essentially from the Geneva Conventions of 1949. We work closely with National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and with their International Federation in order to ensure a concerted, rational and rapid humanitarian response to the needs of the victims of armed conflict or any other situation of internal violence. We direct and coordinate the international activities conducted in these situations.
Purpose
The Regional Nutritionist for West Africa provides support and guidance within their field of expertise either remotely or in person. S/he contributes to global policies and guidelines and develops tools and training modules for the Nutrition programmes, whether integrated in Ecosec, Detention or Health departments, and contributes to the strategic development of relevant technical files at regional level and in support to the HQ.
General Duties
- Understands and adheres to the 7 Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement;
- Understands and adheres to the ICRC Code of Conduct;
- Understands the three components of the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement;
- Respects and observes staff regulations and security rules at all times;
- Represents the ICRC in a professional manner at all times;
- Develops and maintains a pleasant and conducive working environment with colleagues and line managers;
- Performs all duties with the highest level of confidentiality in the interest of the employees and the ICRC;
- May be asked to perform duties and tasks not covered in this job description as well as to provide support to other departments when necessary.
Accountabilities & Functional responsibilities
1. Global Thematic Support
- Monitors and provides regional situation analysis to the Regional Management and HQ Nutrition technical reference and other relevant units in relation to field of expertise.
- Liaises with fellow Regional Specialists (both EcoSec and non-EcoSec) for in-depth regional situation analysis.
- Collaborates as necessary with regional peers to develop common projects and objectives to enhance the ICRC’s response to affected populations at regional level. Contributes to reflections on how to improve and operationalise multi-disciplinary work both within EcoSec and beyond.
- Documents and actively participates in reflections operationalising issues of institutional importance (in relation to the Institutional Strategy and beyond).
- Contributes to the adaptation and adoption of EcoSec global strategies and policies.
- Contributes to specific institutional files of interest, research projects, briefs, articles and policy papers devising a roadmap for action.
- In close collaboration with the nutritionists at Headquarters, contributes to the reflexion on operational research and nutrition strategy at regional level.
- Contributes to the development of ICRC/EcoSec strategies and policies in Nutrition (including for Detention and Health).
- Contributes to the development of guidelines, training material and other technical tools in relation to the area of expertise and in support of other specialists.
- Support in the delivery of the annual Nutritionists’ Workshop in collaboration with the GVA nutritionists.
- Support development, improvement and dissemination of new ICRC validated tools (digitalisation).
2. Regional Networking
- Develops and maintains a Regional network of external contacts (private, public, non-governmental) in the field of nutrition, and represents the ICRC in relevant working groups, regional meetings and fora. Engages actively with the relevant communities of practice to continuously share knowledge, literature, and information relevant for the community regionally and globally.
- Exchange expertise and experiences with relevant networks and interlocutors as necessary and ensures dissemination of regional issues, and recent literature/ developments/ techniques/ tools among fellow Nutritionists (and the EcoSec Unit as necessary).
3. Operational Support (Field & Desk Support)
- Ensures the integration of new EcoSec strategies in their field of expertise in Delegations, according to priorities and strategies developed by or jointly with the EcoSec Unit.
- Coaches Delegation’s nutritionists and/or the Delegation in developing relevant strategies, plans of action and programme adjustments.
- Designs, organises and delivers trainings and workshops as required and agreed with GVA counterpart. Provides coaching to Nutritionists in delegations as required.
- Maintains an overview of regional approaches and programs in the area of expertise to ensure the exchange of experiences and lessons learned between Delegations.
- Ensures Delegations apply institutional technical tools and provides guidance to adapt and operationalise them. Coaches’ nutritionists or supports delegations directly in the definition of malnutrition causal frameworks and food chain analysis for civilians and detainees. Ensures guidelines on food quality and good practices on food storage are known, disseminated and used in the field.
- Supports Delegations in programme-level assessments, monitoring and evaluations (including use of relevant tools) in area of expertise. Coaches new specialists in ICRC approaches to field of expertise, including methodologies, standards and guidance applied.
- Provides specific Delegation level capacity building as requested and required by the Delegation.
- Supports EcoSec Departments and Specialists in representing the ICRC with relevant authorities in case of challenging negotiations.
Additional Duties
- Ensures the follow up of all messages and correspondence related to the work, in relation with the concerned interlocutors and/or departments.
- Is aware of the delegation’s objectives and has a good knowledge of the Movement and other interlocutors relevant to the position.
- Collects and shares information so as to improve the ICRC’s understanding of the environment, humanitarian trends and responses.
- Represents the ICRC in an appropriate way during activities, meetings and in the field and avoids any activity that may reflect negatively on the ICRC’s image.
- Takes responsibility of own professional learning and development.
People management responsibilities
- Understands and supervises the Performance Management & Development (PMD) activities for employees under her/his supervision
- Makes sure that deadlines for the PMD cycle are met.
- Engages in ongoing and continuous feedback and support, particularly for employees under her/his supervision
- Organizes regular meetings within their team to ensure optimal coordination of the work and proper flow of information
- Ensures that job descriptions for employees under their supervision are up to date; seeks feedback and support from the HR Department/GVA advisors if needed
- Coordinates and supports the employees under her/his supervision in their personal development by coaching and advising them on internal and external training and development possibilities.
Scope & Impact
- Geographical remit: North Africa, Sahel, Lake Chad and West Africa
- The position is based in Dakar, with significant travel – up to 70% of the time - to other sites
- Work can have a global impact or a more Regional dimensions depending on the priorities agreed with the Geneva nutritionists, Regional Delegation and the Delegations supported.
Relationships
- Internally, interacts with staff in the Delegation where they are based (notably other Regional Management and Regional Staff) and teams in delegations where s/he carries out support assignments. Also interacts with technical reference persons at headquarters.
- Contributes to performance appraisals process for mobiles and resident technicians involved in nutrition program as required.
- Externally, represents the ICRC to technical authorities, organisations and forums who work relates to the area of expertise.
Desired profile and skills
Essential
- Master’s degree in Nutrition, Public Health or relevant equivalent field of expertise
- At least 7 years’ experience in the humanitarian field, involved in nutrition and health activities
- At least 3 years’ experience in coordination position, with strong management experience
- At least 3 years‘ international field experience (outside of the candidate’s home country)
- Experienced in assessment and survey design, implementation, and analyses, as well as analysis of program monitoring results
- Previous proven experience in policy, strategy, plan of actions and tools development and implementation
- Effective coaching and training skills
- Able to work under pressure and in unsafe environments
- Fast learner and solutions focused
- The position is regional and covers several countries. A very good command of French and English is required
Desirable
- Diplomatic
- Previous experience in Detention context is an asset
- Previous experience in pharmaceutical and food quality management is an asset
What we offer
- Rewarding work in a humanitarian and multicultural environment
- Online and in-person trainings as well as induction courses
- Generous social benefits
The ICRC values diversity and is committed to create an inclusive working environment. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates. Women are strongly encouraged to apply.
Additional information
Type of role: Mobile
Working rate: 100%
Starting date: 07/08/2023
Location: Dakar (DAK)
Hardship : H0 : family posting and full amenities
Job level: C1 (C1)
Length of assignment: 24 months (up to 48 months extendable)
Type of position: Open-ended Application deadline: 06/01/2023
The position is open both internally and externally.