Platform for Nutrition

Background

In November 2018, the Government of Ethiopia validated its first National Food and Nutrition Policy (NFNP). This policy aims to promote a coordinated and comprehensive approach to food and nutrition security. The policy also highlights the importance of evidence-based decision making.

In May 2018, Ethiopia launched the National Information Platform for Nutrition (NIPN), which specifically aims to support evidence-based decision making for nutrition. The NIPN is part of a global initiative launched by the European Union to support Scaling Up of Nutrition (SUN) countries that have a high malnutrition burden.

The NIPN supports the implementation of the NFNP and the national food and nutrition strategy (NFNS). It provides the necessary evidence to guide decision making for improved nutrition. From the analysis of available and shared data, it generates evidence that is used by nutrition stakeholders for developing policy, designing programs and allocating investments.

Objectives

General objective

The broad objective of this position is to support the execution of planned NIPN activities in close liaison and coordination with project team members and entire food science and nutrition research directorate.

Specific objectives

1. Support and independently work on specific NIPN objectives and deliverables
2. Support day to day activities related to NIPN as directed by NIPN management
3. Provide evidence generation and synthesis support to NIPN and Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) and support the translation of findings into nutrition related policies

 Main duties and responsibilities:

The junior nutrition researcher will have the following duties and responsibilities:

• Undertake reviews of existing information derived from reports, evaluations and research papers to help answer the questions posed by the NIPN advisory committee. These questions will be related to the role and impact of policies, programs and interventions in all sectors to improving human nutrition and to tracking changes in nutrition indicators and factors that may influence nutrition over time.
• Collecting published literature as well as grey literature made of project reports, evaluations and studies that could shed light on the relationship between policies, programs and interventions in any sector that may contribute to better nutritional outcomes for the population, from the country and from other countries as well, if relevant.
• Systematically review all documents and extract and summaries evidence of the impact on human nutrition and public health more generally, of the efforts by government and development partners to prevent malnutrition and improve indicators of human development.
• Prepare a report and assist the preparation of policy brief on identified topic in collaboration with the teams of the NIPN Policy and Analysis Unit.
• Work closely with NIPN implementing staff in FSNRD.
• Actively participate in other activities of FSNRD and the Institute.

Expectation

• The successful candidate is expected to provide a significant contribution to effective implementation of NIPN plan of EPHI. The main outcome will be a sustained food and nutrition evidence generation mechanisms for effective utilization for policy and program decision.

The success of this position will be measured by the attainment of the following:

• NIPN findings translated into nutrition related policies: Sectoral ministries, Officials/decision makers in nutrition have a better understanding and are making better use of evidence generated through this project for strategic and programmatic decision making

 Duty station/Location

• The successful candidate will be based in EPHI headquarters in Addis Ababa with possible travel to regions.

Timeline

• The junior nutrition researcher will be recruited as soon as possible for a period of six months with possibility of extension depending on the availability of funds.

Management and reporting

• The junior nutrition researcher will work under the direct supervision of the NIPN coordinator with oversight from food science and nutrition research directorate director
• The junior nutrition researcher will work closely with other NIPN team members, EPHI staff and partners, and nutrition sector actors in a participatory process.
• The junior nutrition researcher will be selected following a recruitment process. The profile of the potential candidate is listed as below:

Education

• MSc or MPH level qualification in Nutrition/ Epidemiology/ Food and Nutrition/ Community Nutrition/Public Health Nutrition/ Public Health or any other related field(s) with at least one publication.

Language Skills:

• Fluency in written and spoken English and Amharic is mandatory.

Experience:

• Minimum two years of work experience related to research and evidence generation for public health and nutrition programs is advantageous.
• Working knowledge of at least one data analysis software package including R (preferred), STATA, SPSS, In Vivo, etc. is required.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills are required.
• Ability to work both independently and as a member of a team and to handle multiple priorities is required.
• Excellent analytical, writing, synthesis, communication and facilitation skills.
• Experience of working with partners at international, regional and national levels
• Experience/Knowledge about the Ethiopian health sector development program and the health system strengthening activities.
• Ability and being proactive in team works, and good command of communication skills

How to Apply

 Note Interested applicants can register in Online through only ethiojobs.net  send their CVs and relevant documents at the address given below within 5 days from the first appearance of the announcement

Remarks: Please attach copies of transcripts, academic degree or recommendation letters together with the application.