Programme Policy Officer (Food Fortification) at World Food Programme (WFP)

Job Title: Programme Policy Officer (Food Fortification)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT: Millions of Nigerians suffer from micronutrient deficiency (MND), a form of undernutrition caused by the lack of essential vitamins and minerals that support growth, cognitive development, and optimal functioning of the body. Around a third of Nigerian children under the age of five are stunted. Seven percent are wasted (thin or low weight for their height), and 22% are underweight (low weight for their age). Furthermore, iron deficiency anaemia affects more than 50% of pregnant women and women of reproductive age. MND can lead to lasting negative consequences on physical health, cognitive development, and productive capacity – currently, as much as 11% of Nigeria’s GDP is lost due to poor nutrition. When households, and specific household members, are unable to meet their dietary micronutrient needs due to physical, financial or sociological barriers, it becomes necessary to consider additional pathways that can safeguard against micronutrient malnutrition.

The UN World Food Programme (WFP) is one of the leading global institutions helping to measure and alleviate malnutrition and has long been involved in efforts to expand the scope and impact of Large-Scale Food Fortification (LSFF). WFP supports national food and health systems across 73 countries as they strive to provide access, safely and systematically, to healthy, nutritious diets and reduce micronutrient deficiencies in women, children and the population at large by working across the fortification value-chain, amongst others. This includes providing technical assistance to farmers and millers, using WFP’s vast purchasing power and marketing expertise to increase demand for fortified foods, and working with governments and academic institutions to develop standards and advocating for fortification. Additionally, a key part of this work is the generation of data on food and nutrition security, dietary diversity and access to nutritious foods and nutritious diets, including food costs and expenditure, and using these data to highlight where there are risks of insufficiencies, by target group, geography or vulnerability, reflected as hunger (insufficient dietary energy and coping strategies), unaffordability of nutrient-adequate diets, inadequate dietary diversity and likelihood of micronutrient deficiencies.

Rice fortification presents a unique opportunity for Nigeria to significantly strengthen the national fortification programme’s reach and impact. Nigeria is among the biggest consumers of rice in Africa, with average consumption in the country standing at 77 grams per capita per day. Since 2021, under the umbrella of the Promoting Rice Fortification Project in Nigeria, WFP and GAIN have partnered to support the Federal Government of Nigeria and worked towards creating an enabling environment for the introduction of rice as an additional food vehicle in the national food fortification programme. The next phase of the project involves the implementation of a pilot production of fortified rice in the country. Furthermore, WFP, in Nigeria, also plans to generate and increase access to modelled data on risk of inadequate micronutrient intake at national and sub-national levels, which will be critical to advocate for and inform the design and roll-out of large-scale food fortification as well as complementary programs and policy.

The Nigerian-based Food Fortification Expert will support food fortification and food value-chain strengthening efforts in Nigeria Country Office. This includes, but is not limited to, the coordination of the Promoting Rice Fortification Project in Nigeria as well as Nigerian-based activities for the Modelling and Mapping the risk of Inadequate Micronutrient Intake (MIMI) project and any other food fortification initiatives identified by the Country Office. Under the supervision of the Nigeria Country Office Head of Nutrition and in close collaboration with Supply Chain and other programe units, this position will specifically coordinate WFP Nigeria’s food fortification efforts, advocacy, stakeholder engagement and consult on and advise internal and external programme and policy discussions relevant to food fortification. The position will also include capacity building to national stakeholders and other actors, the coordination of in-country workshops or meetings with government and non-government partners to disseminate evidence and other outputs developed through the projects and collect feedback and development of a strategy on food fortification for the CO as well as any other focus areas such as local development of fortified foods for specific target groups, such as fortified blended foods and complementary foods. More broadly, the Fortification expert will be expected to represent WFP at national-level discussions on LSFF, task forces and other platforms advocating for and making decisions about LSFF and grow the food fortification portfolio in the coming years and in-line with the Nigeria Country Office new Country Strategic Plan (CSP 2023-2027) as well as the strengthening of south- south cooperation.

The Food Fortification Expert should bring technical expertise in LSFF, specifically Rice Fortification and food technology and skills in stakeholder engagement, technical capacity building, partnerships, advocacy and communication, evidence generation and translation of evidence to inform policy.

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES: Identify, map, engage and build strong networks with with key food fortification stakeholders, including governments, the United Nations system, civil society, the private sector, research institutes and donors.

Contribute to the development of food fortification and nutrition projects, including development of a strategy/approach that encompass several projects, activities, plans and processes, ensuring alignment with WFP Nigeria new country strategic plan (CSP 2023-2027) as well as with wider nutrition policies and guidance.

Lead the food fortification projects including Promoting Rice Fortification Project in Nigeria (PRiFN), and act as focal point for the Modelling and Mapping risk of Inadequate Micronutrient Intake project and other food fortification initiatives in Nigeria.

Coordinate the Partners for PRiFN platform.

Provide technical support on food fortification including rice fortification and other food fortification initiatives.

Support the continuous identification of food fortification opportunities.

Develop and coordinate micronutrient and fortification data gathering and monitoring/assessment systems ensuring that rigorous quality standards are maintained.

Track and analyse micronutrient and fortification data to provide input into reporting activities and contribute to the preparation of accurate and timely reporting on nutrition activities that enables informed decision making and consistency of information presented to stakeholders.

Liaise with HQ, RB and other project partners (internal and external) to monitor activities, ensuring effective collaboration, timeliness and efficiency, and highlight potential risks to project delivery.

Support the identification of potential partners and partnership negotiations including south-south cooperation to ensure a collaborative and holistic approach to meeting nutrition needs.

Contribute to resource mobilization efforts.

Perform other tasks within the technical area of work, as required.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• Education: Advanced University degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Public Health, Nutrition, or another relevant field.
• Experience: 3-5 years relevant professional experience is required in the following: Experience and exposure to implementation of national/international development programmes.
• Experience working in public health/food security/ food technology and safety /nutrition related activities, with a particular emphasis on Food Fortification and food value addition.
• Experience in technical capacity development, especially of government counterparts and the private sector, on aspects related to food fortification specially on rice fortification.
• Experience identifying and defining nutrition issues/problems within a country.
• Experience identifying and promoting advocacy messages for nutrition issues and solutions.
• Knowledge and skills

• Strong technical knowledge of public health and nutrition, including micronutrients.
• Strong technical knowledge of food fortification (large-scale), food-value addition, and food technology.
• Good overall knowledge about the fortification landscape in Nigeria, including key players, policies and programmes.
• In-depth knowledge of global nutrition goals, policies and programs, such as the Sustainable Development Goals, the SUN movement for scaling up nutrition, etc.
• Languages: Fluency (level C) in English language. Knowledge of Hausa and Kanuri local languages is desirable.

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Click here to access WFP Leadership Framework: REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION: WFP is dedicated to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our recruitment process is inclusively crafted to welcome candidates of all backgrounds, celebrating diversity and ensuring a respectful environment for all. We aim for an accessible and fair recruitment journey. Should you need any reasonable accommodations or have accessibility concerns, please reach out to us confidentially at [email protected]. Our DEI team is here to ensure your full participation in our recruitment process.

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•  Please make sure you upload your professional CV in the English language
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•  Additional documents such as passport, recommendation letters, academic certificates, etc. may potentially be requested at a future time
•  Please contact us at [email protected] in case you face any challenges with submitting your application
•  Only shortlisted candidates will be notified

Application Instructions:

The application deadline is on 03rd December 2024. Therefore, qualified and interested candidates can “CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT APPLICATION” It is important to visit the official website (link found below) for detailed information on how to apply successfully for this vacancy.

Website:

Official Job Website: https://www.wfp.org/careers