Nutrition Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, established to save lives in emergencies and to use food assistance as a means to build pathways to peace, stability, and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impacts of climate change. WFP was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020, recognizing its efforts to combat hunger and promote security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security. The organization operates in numerous countries worldwide, working closely with governments and partners to implement effective humanitarian assistance programs. WFP is committed to diversity and inclusion, ensuring equal employment opportunities for all employees, regardless of race, gender, or background. The organization emphasizes the importance of a healthy and inclusive work environment, living by its core values of Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion. WFP invests in the personal and professional development of its employees through various training and mentorship programs, offering opportunities for career advancement across its global offices.

Job Overview:
The Nutrition Specialist will play a crucial role in the 'Nutrir o Futuro' project, which aims to promote adequate and healthy nutrition and prevent malnutrition among preschool populations in partner countries. This position involves working closely with the Center of Excellence against Hunger (CdE) and the Brazilian Ministry of Health to enhance the management capacities related to health, nutrition, and food security. The overarching goal of the project is to expand actions that promote healthy eating among preschool-aged children in cooperating countries, thereby contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 2: Zero Hunger. The specialist will be responsible for gathering scientific evidence on the epidemiological landscape of micronutrient deficiencies and developing thematic papers on the prevention of conditions such as vitamin A deficiency, iron deficiency anemia, goiter, and deficiencies in vitamins D, B12, and zinc. This role requires collaboration with various stakeholders, including government agencies, international organizations, and civil society, to ensure effective communication and implementation of nutrition policies and programs.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Nutrition Specialist will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including:

• Participating in regular technical meetings to align on the execution of duties and responsibilities.
• Conducting systematic reviews of the epidemiological landscape regarding micronutrient deficiencies and evaluating the effectiveness of supplementation programs for preschool populations in partner countries.
• Producing reports and technical articles on the epidemiological scenario of micronutrient deficiencies and the effectiveness of related programs.
• Mapping existing programs and actions aimed at preventing micronutrient deficiencies in preschool populations across cooperating countries.
• Reviewing national guidelines on micronutrient supplementation programs for preschoolers.
• Developing thematic papers focused on preventing nutritional deficiencies, including a review of national policies aimed at eradicating conditions such as vitamin A deficiency, iron deficiency anemia, goiter, and deficiencies in vitamins D, B12, and zinc.
• Supporting the creation of accessible materials for diverse audiences, including researchers, public managers, health professionals, and civil society organizations, ensuring alignment with existing public policies and the SDGs.
• Collaborating with governmental bodies, international organizations, and other relevant actors to enhance the quality of produced content.
• Assisting in the organization of technical events such as seminars, workshops, and conferences to share best practices identified during the project.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a minimum of 2 years of experience in managing public health systems (SUS), professional qualification processes, and the production and review of technical materials, preferably related to nutritional deficiencies and micronutrient supplementation. Additionally, candidates should have at least 3 years of experience in food and nutrition policies and actions, particularly concerning the prevention of micronutrient deficiencies. Experience in conducting scientific research, as well as producing reports and documents related to nutrition, public health, or collective health, is essential. Familiarity with health indicators and policies related to food and nutrition will be considered an advantage.

Educational Background:
The ideal candidate should hold a degree in Nutrition. A postgraduate degree (master's or doctorate) and/or specialization in public policy management, collective health, public health, or nutrition in public health will be considered an asset. Additional qualifications in related fields will enhance the candidate's profile.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 2 years of relevant experience in public health management, with a strong focus on nutrition and food security. Candidates should have a proven track record in developing and implementing nutrition-related programs and policies, as well as experience in research and analysis within the field of nutrition and public health.

Languages:
Fluency in both oral and written Portuguese is mandatory. Basic knowledge of Spanish for reading documents is also required. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an advantage, particularly in the context of international collaboration.

Additional Notes:
This position is a hybrid contract type (Service Contract) with a duration of 12 months. The role involves expected travel, with travel expenses covered by the Center of Excellence against Hunger at WFP in Brazil. Candidates must be Brazilian nationals or possess legal authorization to work in Brazil. The WFP is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities throughout the recruitment process.