Program Associate (Nutrition)

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 has been operational in Nepal since 1963, leveraging extensive knowledge of the socio-economic context related to nutrition" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food and nutrition security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, livelihood creation, and logistics capacity. The organization operates in numerous countries and employs a diverse workforce committed to its mission of Zero Hunger. WFP is recognized for its inclusive work environment and has received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020 for its efforts in combating hunger globally. The organization emphasizes the importance of diversity and equal employment opportunities, encouraging candidates from various backgrounds to apply.

Job Overview:
The Program Associate (Nutrition) position at WFP is designed to support the implementation of nutrition activities in Nepal, particularly focusing on the Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition Programme (IMAM) and other nutrition-related initiatives. The role involves providing technical and operational support to government counterparts during the planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and learning phases of nutrition programs. The associate will work closely with the Nutrition Officer and the Head of Programme to ensure that nutrition strategies align with WFP’s corporate goals and the Government of Nepal’s national priorities. This position is crucial for enhancing the capacity of government staff and ensuring effective collaboration with various stakeholders to improve nutrition outcomes for vulnerable populations in Nepal.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Program Associate (Nutrition) include:

• Providing capacity strengthening support to Government of Nepal (GON) counterparts in nutrition program planning and implementation.
• Offering technical and operational assistance during the execution of nutrition programs, with a focus on Mother and Child Health and Nutrition.
• Advocating for nutrition budgeting during annual planning processes and facilitating nutrition orientation workshops and training for government staff.
• Participating in training and consultative meetings as a resource person.
• Supporting the development of guidelines, manuals, and protocols for nutrition programs.
• Assisting in the implementation of the IMAM program according to national protocols.
• Attending government forums to enhance collaboration and build relationships with stakeholders.
• Supporting the planning and implementation of shock-responsive social protection initiatives.
• Organizing nutrition advocacy meetings to lobby for increased resource allocation. 1
• Conducting regular monitoring and evaluation visits and providing technical support for data reporting and analysis. 1
• Assisting in the development of Concept of Operation (CONOPS) for emergency preparedness and response plans. 1
• Carrying out additional tasks as required to support the day-to-day activities of the WFP Country Office.

Required Qualifications:
The required qualifications for the Program Associate (Nutrition) position include:

• Completion of secondary school education, with a post-secondary certificate in a related functional area. A Bachelor’s degree in public health, nutrition, or related fields is desirable.
• At least six years of relevant experience in Public Health Nutrition or related fields.
• Previous experience in providing technical assistance at national, provincial, or district levels.
• Expertise in delivering nutrition prevention and treatment programs, including social and behavior change communication.
• Experience in negotiation, training, communications, advocacy, and resource mobilization.
• Knowledge of UN and Government partnerships is an asset.
• Familiarity with nutrition-related policies and systems in Nepal is preferred.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for the Program Associate (Nutrition) position includes a minimum of secondary school education. A post-secondary certificate in a relevant field is necessary, while a Bachelor’s degree in public health, nutrition, or a related discipline is highly desirable. This educational foundation is essential for understanding the complexities of nutrition programs and effectively supporting their implementation.

Experience:
Candidates for the Program Associate (Nutrition) position should have a minimum of six years of relevant experience in Public Health Nutrition or related fields. This experience should include previous roles that involved technical assistance at various governmental levels, as well as practical involvement in the delivery of nutrition programs. Familiarity with community-based nutrition initiatives and experience in training and advocacy are also important for this role.

Languages:
Fluency in both written and spoken Nepali and English is mandatory for the Program Associate (Nutrition) position. Knowledge of local languages is considered a plus, as it can enhance communication with diverse communities and stakeholders in Nepal.

Additional Notes:
The position of Program Associate (Nutrition) is offered as a Service Contract (SC) at Level SC L-6, with a contract duration that is to be confirmed but will not be less than six months and not more than twelve months at a time. The duty station for this position is Kathmandu, Nepal. WFP provides a competitive benefits package, including salary and health insurance through CIGNA. The organization encourages applications from female candidates and individuals with disabilities, emphasizing its commitment to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.