Food Fortification Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization dedicated to saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build pathways to peace, stability, and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impacts of climate change. Established in 1961, WFP operates in around 80 countries, reaching over 130 million people with food assistance annually. WFP is committed to diversity and equal employment opportunities, encouraging qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply. The organization has been recognized for its efforts, being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020, and it emphasizes 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, providing opportunities for career advancement across its global offices.

Job Overview:
The Food Fortification Specialist position is crucial for leading the implementation of WFP's food fortification strategy in the Eastern and Southern Africa region. This role involves providing continuous technical support to country offices in planning, designing, implementing, and monitoring food fortification programs. The specialist will work closely with the Food Technology Coordinator and collaborate with various stakeholders to ensure the successful integration of fortified foods into WFP operations and government-led programs. The position aims to address micronutrient deficiencies, which are a significant public health issue in the region, particularly affecting women and children. The specialist will also oversee fortification landscape analyses, capacity strengthening initiatives, and advocacy efforts to enhance the nutritional quality of food assistance provided by WFP.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead and oversee fortification landscape analysis for Eastern and Southern Africa, including reviewing scoping tools and conducting exercises on fortification-related information in priority countries.
• Implement WFP ESARO’s food fortification strategy, ensuring successful operational plans and continuous capacity strengthening of technical resources.
• Provide ongoing technical guidance to country offices on fortification program planning, design, and monitoring, including capacity building for government stakeholders.
• Influence regional and country-level decision-making regarding fortified foods, including the integration of fortified staples into WFP operations.
• Coordinate WFP’s engagement with regional partners and contribute to advocacy and thought leadership on food fortification.
• Perform other tasks as required to support the mission of WFP.

Required Qualifications:
An advanced degree in Food Fortification, Food Processing, Food Technology, Food Science, Nutrition, Public Health, or a related field is required. Candidates should possess a minimum of five years of relevant experience, particularly in food fortification, food technology, and project management. Experience working with national governments and private sector stakeholders is essential, along with demonstrated experience in the Eastern and Southern Africa region.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold an advanced degree in a relevant field such as Food Fortification, Food Processing, Food Technology, Food Science, Nutrition, or Public Health. This educational background is critical for understanding the complexities of food fortification and its impact on public health.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of professional experience in areas related to food fortification, food technology, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security, and project management. Experience in providing technical support on food fortification and working with various stakeholders, including governments and private sectors, is highly valued. Familiarity with the Eastern and Southern Africa region is also important.

Languages:
Fluency in English (level C) is mandatory for this position. A good working knowledge of French is preferred, as it will enhance communication and collaboration with stakeholders in the region.

Additional Notes:
This position is an International Consultant role with a contract duration of 11 months, subject to extension based on funding availability. The role is full-time and based in Nairobi, Kenya, with responsibilities that may require collaboration across various country offices in the Eastern and Southern Africa region. WFP offers an attractive compensation package and emphasizes a commitment to diversity and inclusion in its hiring practices.