Organizational Setting
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.
FAO's Subregional Office for Eastern Africa (SFE) is responsible for developing, promoting, overseeing and implementing agreed strategies for addressing subregional food, agriculture and rural development priorities. It develops and maintains relations with subregion-wide institutions including Regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs).
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The FAO Subregional Office for Eastern Africa (SFE) is a subsidiary of FAO's Regional Office for Africa (RAF). It supports subregional policy dialogue on food security, agriculture and rural development issues, facilitates the emergence of subregional partnerships and supports capacity development and resource mobilization for food security, agriculture and rural development in the subregion.ย
The Subregional Office for Eastern Africa (SFE) and Representation to the African Union (AU) and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) is a technical hub, which supports eight countries (Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan and Uganda) in the Eastern Africa subregion. The Office also plays an important liaison role to the African Union (AU) and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) as well as the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and to pertinent development partners based in Ethiopia and within the subregion. FAO SFE Team supports Member States, continental and regional institutions in the development and implementation of agreed strategies for addressing subregional and national food security, nutrition, agriculture and rural development priorities. The Subregional Office is a subsidiary of FAOโs Regional Office for Africa (RAF) to the African Union Commission and to EAC.ย
FAO SFE signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the organization of the Africa Unity (OAU), now African Union (AU) in June 1995, and works very closely with the African Union Commission (AUC), to provide technical assistance to the nutrition, food security and food systems agenda of the AUC. To support the implementation of the agreed MoU, FAO SFE in collaboration with the AUC is recruiting an international consultant as a Technical Advisor Nutrition Policy to be seconded to the Department of Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development (HHS) of the African Union Commission (AUC), based as Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. ย
The Technical Advisor-Nutrition Policy to be seconded to the African Union Commission is based at the AUC Heads Quarter in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The technical advisor in Nutrition under the close supervision of the Head of Division of Health Systems Strengthening, Diseases and Nutrition, will closely work with the departments of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy Sustainable Environment (DARBE), Education, Science, Technology Innovation (ESTI), Economic Development, Trade, Industry, Mining (ETIM), and African Union Development Agency โ NEPAD (AUDA NEPAD).
Reporting Lines
The Technical Advisor Nutrition Policy reports to the FAO SFE Subregional Coordinator for Eastern Africa and the AUC Director for Health and Humanitarian Affairs directorate. He/she will work under the direct supervision of the AUC Head of the Division of Health Systems, Diseases and Nutrition, in close collaboration with the FAO SFE Nutrition Officer.ย
Technical Focusย
Support the AUC nutrition agenda, including policy formulation, strategy development, advocacy, coordination, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation of decisions made by AU policy bodies in the realms of Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development. This work will be undertaken in close collaboration with other AUC departments, Member States, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), United Nations (UN) agencies and other development partners from public, research, civil society and private sectors to foster harmonization in the implementation of nutrition policies and strategies.ย
Tasks and responsibilities
โข ย ย Coordinate the development and implementation of AUC strategic documents and initiatives, especially implementation of the Africa Regional Nutrition Strategy 2016-2025 and the follow-up actions from the implementation of the AU Theme of the Year 2022 on Nutrition; and development of the Africa Regional Nutrition Strategy 2026-2035.
โข ย ย Contribute to the preparation of the Continental Nutrition Report featuring the results of the implementation of the Africa Regional Nutrition Strategy 2016-2025, implementation of the AU Theme of the Year 2022 on Nutrition and the Abidjan Declaration Plan of Action.ย
โข ย ย Provide strategic and technical expertise to AUCโs nutrition initiatives of various departments, including supporting the coordination of stakeholder engagements and multi-stakeholder initiatives to promote internal synergies and coordination of food and nutrition related initiatives.ย
โข ย ย Contribute to the development of concept papers, proposals, briefing notes and advocacy briefs, for major AU/FAO led activities on nutrition, including statutory events and initiatives, meetings, and high-level events.
โข ย ย Provide support in organizing high-level events, including technical consultations, seminars, and study and field visits, to facilitate knowledge exchange and collaboration in relevant areas.ย
โข ย ย Support in research and technical areas, including handling complex information requests, conducting reviews, and drafting technical documents such as concept notes, terms of reference, and preliminary technical papers; to ensure evidence-based analysis and technical advice on nutrition enhancing policies, strategies and programmes.
โข ย ย Promote visibility of AUCโs nutrition agenda by participating and acting as a resource person in international, regional and national meetingsย
โข ย ย Support resource mobilization to expand existing partnerships with nutrition donors and other development partners, both for the AUC, RECs and Member States for delivering technical assistance on food and nutrition related issues.
โข ย ย Perform other related duties as required.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
โข ย ย Advanced university degree in Nutrition, Public Health, Food Science, Economics, Agriculture, or a related field. A Bachelorโs level degree and 2 years of relevant experience may be considered equivalent in certain circumstances.
โข ย ย At least 5 years of relevant experience in working with developing countries in areas such as health, nutrition, food security and agricultural policy, strategy and programme or related fields; out of which minimum of 3 years of work experience at international level.
โข ย ย Working knowledge of English.
FAO Core Competencies
โข ย ย Results Focus
โข ย ย Teamwork
โข ย ย Communication
โข ย ย Building Effective Relationships
โข ย ย Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skillsย
โข ย ย Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is desirableย
โข ย ย Extent and relevance of academic qualificationsย
โข ย ย Extent and relevance of experience in integrating nutrition into agricultural policies and programmes in developing countriesย
โข ย ย Level of knowledge of nutrition policy, strategy and programme initiatives
โข ย ย Analytical skills and demonstrable ability to prepare publications, technical reports and other relevant materialsย
โข ย ย Ability to interact and communicate with high level government.ย
โข ย ย Experience in working with continental organisations, and broad engagement with a range of government clients and donor agencies. ย ย
โข ย ย Ability to mobilize resources for nutrition related activitiesย
โข ย ย Familiarity with FAO and FAO partner institutions (UN, NGOs, donors) would be an asset
โข ย ย Familiarity with and proven experience on nutrition policies and programmes, particularly in the Africa region
โข ย ย Experience and track record advising or working with regional and/or international organizations and/or governmentsย
โข ย ย A high level/strategic thinker with evidence of meaningful contribution to complex development planning acquired over a long period
โข ย ย Proven experience in coordinating/ facilitating multi-stakeholder dialogues and workshops