Nutrition Advocacy Advisor (maternity cover)
Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis, and we are committed to promoting diversity and gender balance
Job Title: Nutrition Advocacy Advisor (maternity cover)
Type of Contract: Regular Consultant
Division: Nutrition: Nutrition Division
Duty Station (City, Country): Home-based
Duration: 11 months (starting ideally early October)
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:
The current prevalence of malnutrition in children is alarming. Over 45 million children suffer from acute malnutrition and over 149 million suffer from stunting. Undernutrition is the underlying cause of approximately 45% of all mortality in children under 5. Not only does undernutrition levels remain stubbornly high, but numbers of overweight persons are growing exponentially, even in poor countries.
As the United Nations frontline agency in the fight against hunger and malnutrition, the World Food Programme (WFP) is adapting to meet the current and emerging global nutrition challenges. This includes enhancing organisational capacity to reach vulnerable populations affected by acute malnutrition, as well as expanding our portfolio to find lasting solutions for populations affected by poor diets and chronic malnutrition.
The purpose of this assignment is to lead the Nutrition Division’s efforts in shaping and advancing WFP’s advocacy goals in nutrition. The job holder will work with external and internal stakeholders to design and implement high-quality advocacy strategies, campaigns and narratives, building on existing plans and relationships. The incumbent will coordinate WFP’s participation in advocacy networks, building and maintaining strong partnership and coalitions.
The role reports to the Division’s Nutrition Outreach and Advocacy (NOA) Team Lead within the Office of the Director.
ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Lead the implementation of existing advocacy strategies and plans, and develop new ones as needed, in support of the Nutrition Division’s strategic priorities.
- Advance WFP’s nutrition advocacy goals by coordinating internally and externally to position WFP Nutrition knowledge, analysis and policy positions and experts through a wide variety of channels such as media engagement, digital outreach, events and new public partnerships and platforms.
- Identify, map, and support engagement in strategic events and opportunities to position WFP’s policy priorities, programmes and expertise.
- Support the positioning of nutrition internally and externally through advising on key engagements and providing solid briefings and messaging to nutrition management.
- Identify relevant decision makers and influencers, and work with Communications and Programme Officers to develop a content calendar to support the high-level themes WFP aims to reinforce, with specific campaigns, activities and messages tailored by audience.
- Draft policy positions, advocacy briefs and talking points in support of key nutrition priorities.
- Facilitate and contribute to knowledge development, regarding evidence-based nutrition advocacy and liaise with relevant stakeholders in this regard.
- Provide constructive and timely advice on communication to donors and key external stakeholders on WFP’s work in nutrition and oversee the production of donor specific messaging and strategies.
- Advise on fundraising opportunities based on external dialogues to build the resource base for nutrition.
- Build and maintain relationships with key external stakeholders to align advocacy events, including joint events, statements, and products.
- Represent WFP, where appropriate, in key global policy and advocacy networks, fora and meetings.
- Work in close collaboration with counterparts in the WFP’s Communication, Advocacy and Marketing (CAM) division, regional bureaus, and country offices to align activities and ensure a coherent approach to advocacy within WFP.
KEY DELIVERABLES:
- The development and implementation of strategic advocacy plans with key WFP Global Offices, as part of broader collaboration strategies also covering fundraising and communications.
- Strategic partnerships are maintained, and new ones developed as needed, for joint advocacy activities and impact.
- A coherent set of advocacy messages, narratives and advocacy documents are produced on WFP Nutrition priority areas.
- Ensure that WFP Nutrition plays an active role in global advocacy coalitions and networks, shaping the direction of the collective advocacy.
- Ensure that WFP corporate advocacy engagements and products adequately reflect nutrition.
- Senior leadership receive strategic briefings on key nutrition topics.
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
Education:
Advanced university degree in communications, international relations, public health, nutrition, or other relevant fields.
Experience:
- At least eight years of professional experience, ideally five of which in the nutrition advocacy sector, with good knowledge and understanding of the global actors and themes, including proven success in developing and implementing high quality advocacy strategies, with impact.
- Experience of coordinating networks, building partnerships, and forging coalitions, with ability to represent WFP on various communication groups, fora and with media.
Knowledge & Skills:
- Strategic thinker, with ability to prioritize advocacy and communication efforts in line with external landscape and corporate policies and priorities.
- Ability to build and manage collaborative relationships.
- Proven ability to create and execute effective advocacy strategies.
- Ability to produce high-quality advocacy materials
- Professional knowledge of nutrition.
- General knowledge of UN system policies, rules, regulations, and procedures governing administration.
- Ability to prioritise and manage workload independently.
- Excellent written communication skills: writing, editing, and proofreading.
- Has motivated team spirit and contributed to a gender-balanced, inclusive and sound working environment.
Languages:
- Excellent oral and writing skills in English (proficiency/level C). Proven ability to write highly concise documents in English.
- An additional UN language is considered an asset: Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish, and/or Portuguese.
Terms and Conditions
WFP offers a competitive compensation package which will be determined by the contract type and selected candidate’s qualifications and experience.
Please visit the following websites for detailed information on working with WFP.
http://www.wfp.org Click on: “Our work” and “Countries” to learn more about WFP’s operations.
Deadline for applications: 04 September 2023
Ref.: VA No. 829088
Qualified female applicants and qualified applicants from developing countries are especially encouraged to apply
WFP has zero tolerance for discrimination and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status
No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service
Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with
oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.
