Nutrition Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is an agency that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Established in 1945, FAO has a mission to achieve security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. The organization operates in over 130 countries and employs thousands of professionals dedicated to improving nutrition, food security, and sustainable agricultural practices. FAO's work is guided by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly the goal of ending hunger and ensuring food security and improved nutrition.

Job Overview:
The Nutrition Consultant position at FAO is focused on leveraging expertise in nutrition to support the integration of nutrition into the organization's broader agricultural and food systems initiatives. The consultant will work under the guidance of the Director of the Food and Nutrition Division and will be responsible for facilitating the mainstreaming of nutrition across FAO's programs. This role involves mobilizing data and evidence to provide technical assistance for food and agricultural projects, enhancing the nutrition impact of these initiatives, and developing global public goods such as guidelines and standards for nutrition-sensitive policies. The consultant will also engage in capacity-building initiatives to empower FAO Members in designing and implementing effective nutrition-sensitive programs.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will undertake a variety of tasks, including but not limited to: providing specialized expertise in nutrition and healthy diets across various agrifood subsectors; developing evidence-informed strategies and tools for FAO Members; assisting in the creation of global public goods to strengthen nutrition through food-based approaches; compiling evidence and best practices in nutrition-sensitive policies; enhancing the capacities of FAO and its Members in nutrition-sensitive programming; providing technical assistance in policy design and implementation; preparing evidence-based content for global nutrition governance; and evaluating policies and programs aimed at integrating nutrition into agriculture and climate initiatives. The consultant may also be required to perform additional duties as necessary.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in nutrition, nutritional epidemiology, food security, or a related field recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO. They should have a minimum of one year of relevant professional experience for Level C, five years for Level B, or ten years for Level A, specifically in nutrition and/or food systems. Additionally, candidates must demonstrate a working knowledge of English, French, or Spanish, with limited knowledge of one of the other two languages or Arabic, Chinese, or Russian being advantageous.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree is required, which should be from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO. The degree should be in a field related to nutrition, food security, or any other discipline relevant to the work of FAO, ensuring that the candidate has a solid foundation in the principles of nutrition and its application in food systems.

Experience:
The level of experience required varies by the position level: Level C requires at least one year, Level B requires five years, and Level A requires ten years of relevant professional experience in nutrition and/or food systems. Candidates should have a proven track record of working in diverse locations or areas of work, providing expert advice, and managing nutrition initiatives, as well as experience in capacity strengthening for nutrition-sensitive policies and programs.

Languages:
Candidates must have a working knowledge of English, French, or Spanish, and limited knowledge of one of the other two languages or Arabic, Chinese, or Russian is considered beneficial. Proficiency in multiple languages will enhance communication and collaboration within the international context of FAO's work.

Additional Notes:
The position is likely to be full-time and may involve international recruitment. Specific details regarding contract duration, seniority level, compensation, and benefits are not provided in the job description but are typically discussed during the hiring process. Candidates should be prepared for a role that may require travel and engagement with various stakeholders in the field of nutrition and food systems.