FAO JOBS: Specialist for the Development of Food Based Dietary Guidance – Zanzibar 

Organizational Settings

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), leads international efforts to alleviate hunger, eliminate poverty and achieve food and nutrition security for all.  At present, FAO is supporting a number of interventions related to Agriculture (crop, Livestock, Fisheries, Forestry development and Food Security And Nutrition. FAO is seeking for suitably qualified and experienced consultants to support finalization of Food Based Dietary Guidance (FBDG) Tanzania Mainland under the FAO Programme in Tanzania and according to the Country Programming Framework.

Reporting Lines

The National Consultant: Food Based Dietary Guidance for Tanzania Mainland will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative, and the direct supervision and guidance of the Assistant FAO Representative – Programme and technical supervision of the FAO Nutrition Officers from Tanzania country Office and the  FAO Sub-regional Office for Southern Africa as well as technical backstopping from the Regional Office for Africa (RAF) and FAO Headquarters

Tasks and responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Tanzania and working closely with the Assistant FAO Representative

(Programmes) will perform the following duties:

• Prepare and facilitate workshop centred to  finalize the Food Based Dietary Guideline (FBDG) to review the result of the field testing and completion of the workshop reports;
• In collaboration with country FBDG Technical Working Groups (TWG) and the FAO team, set up the process of pre-testing the food guides, messages and conduct the field testing;
• Work in collaboration with Tanzania Food and Nutrition centre (TFNC) to analyse the results emerging from the fieldwork and prepare a report. Technical officer in FAO will review and provide feedback on the report before the start of stakeholder’s workshop;
• Conduct the desk review of any previous evidence report and other updated information (ensure validity), and draft FBDG guideline;
• Working with the TFNC, FBDG TWG and FAO team to prepare and develop key messages, food guides and food graphics based on the pre-testing results;
• Organise and facilitate a stakeholders workshop to present and discuss the draft guidelines;
• Work on the comments from stakeholders workshop and submit draft FBDG for approval and general population;
• Document good practices, success stories and lessons learned for organizational learning and improvement;
• Undertake other duties as might be assigned by supervisor.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Post Graduate degree in human nutrition, dietetics, social/behavioural sciences or closely related fields
• 5 years’ experience in human nutrition programming with special training and practical experience in nutrition education or health promotion and knowledgeable on food and nutrition security.
• Candidates should be Tanzanian;

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Familiarity with the development of Food-based Dietary Guidelines
• Relevant experience in developing behavioural change materials and messages, and pre-testing of lifestyle behaviour change messages.
• Previous working experience in  Tanzania with training experience and willingness to frequently travel within the region
• Excellent communication and writing skills and fluency in written and spoken English and Kiswahili
• Experience in publishing or writing clear and concise scientific papers, policy papers, and guidelines
• Excellent computer skills.

Selection Criteria

• Academic qualifications; Relevant Advanced university degree
• Extent and relevance of work experience;
• Excellent communication skills.