United States of America: Technical Advisor I, Food Security and Nutrition, FANTA III Project

Country: United States of America
Closing date: 15 Nov 2014

FHI 360 is a nonprofit human development organization dedicated to improving lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions. Our staff includes experts in Health, Education, Nutrition, Environment, Economic Development, Civil Society, Gender, Youth, Research and Technology; creating a unique mix of capabilities to address today's interrelated development challenges. FHI 360 serves more than 60 countries, all 50 U.S. states and all U.S. territories. We are currently seeking qualified candidates for the position of: Technical Advisor I, Food Security and Nutrition, FANTA III Project.

Project Description:

Food and Nutrition Technical Assistance III Project (FANTA) works to improve nutrition and food security policies, strategies, and programs through technical support to the U.S. Agency for international Development (USAID) and its partners, including host country governments, international organizations, and NGO implementing partners. Focus areas for technical assistance include maternal and child health and nutrition, HIV and other infectious diseases, food security and livelihood strengthening, agriculture and nutrition linkages, and emergency and reconstruction. FANTA develops and adapts approaches to support the design and quality implementation of field programs while building on field experience to improve and expand the evidence based methods, and global standards for nutrition and food security programming. The project, funded by USAID, is a 5-year cooperative agreement from 2012 to 2017.

Job Summary / Responsibilities:

Based in Guatemala City, Guatemala, the Food Security and Nutrition Technical Advisor will work closely with FANTA’s Program Manager in Guatemala and with FANTA Washington HQ staff to provide technical assistance to USAID/Guatemala, the Government of Guatemala and its line ministries, PVOs, local NGOs, and other USAID Cooperative Agreements on policies, programming, and strategies related to nutrition, including linkages between nutrition, food security, agriculture, and health. The Advisor leads the development approaches that facilitate such linkages, and provides in-country technical assistance to integrate nutrition actions into national and community level health, nutrition and agriculture programming.

Essential Job Functions:

• Provide technical leadership and guidance to implement food security, agriculture, maternal and child health and nutrition strategies, programs or activities to improve nutrition status, particularly of children and women and in the Western Highlands.
• Contribute to the preparation, review, pretest, and dissemination of technical resource materials on agriculture and nutrition linkages, including guidelines, training manuals, curricula development, job aids, concept notes, reports and other materials as needed. Lead the promotion of tools and their integration into national and local coordination mechanisms in support of food security and maternal child health and nutrition (i.e. government institutions, departmental/municipal food and nutrition councils, academic institutions).
• Build national capacity in maternal child health and nutrition and agriculture, especially in the Western Highlands.
• Help respond to USAID/Guatemala requests for programmatic and technical assistance in policies, strategies, and reporting on food security, agriculture and nutrition, particularly related to maternal and child health and nutrition. Assistance may include drafting guidance and strategies, documenting and synthesizing experience from field programs, presenting research results to key stakeholders in Guatemala and elsewhere, etc.
• Provide technical support during working groups, such as the ENSMI Working Group supporting the analysis of nutrition surveillance data, as well as the Dietary Guidelines Working Group.
• Work with FANTA project management and communications staff to contribute to work plans, quarterly and annual reporting.
• Collaborate in the design and planning of activities, identify and work with partner organizations, implement activities, prepare written products, and report results.
• Provide technical assistance in nutrition with special emphasis on maternal child health and nutrition and food security areas or other job-related activities as needed.

Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in nutrition, public health or related discipline required.
• A minimum of 8 years of experience in food security, agriculture, health and nutrition, particularly related to maternal and child health and nutrition, with knowledge of programs, resources, and research related to maternal nutrition and infant and young child nutrition in the context of agriculture programs. Experience should demonstrate an understanding of Guatemala’s conditions, cultures and gender-based issues.
• Experience working in developing countries in partnership with ministries of agriculture, health, and national/local organizations, as well as with the international community and NGOs/PVOs.
• Strong program management skills.
• Ability to translate technical materials on maternal and child health and nutrition into practical tools and approaches using print, electronic, and presentation channels.
• Excellent writing skills in Spanish, with demonstrated ability to produce program guidance, tools, and materials for health and agriculture service providers.
• Superior oral communication skills in Spanish and ability to present technical information, program guidance, and policy analysis to varied audiences,
• Demonstrated organizational and interpersonal skills to work effectively and collaboratively with national and local government entities, partner organizations and non-governmental organizations, including with people with different technical backgrounds and varying levels of technical training.
• At least mid-level oral and written communication skills in English.
• Must be able to travel within country, particularly to selected prioritized municipalities from Western Highlands of Guatemala up to 20% of the time.

This job description summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.
We offer competitive compensation and an outstanding benefit package. Please visit FHI 360's Career Center at http://www.fhi360.org/careers for a list of all open positions.
FHI 360 is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. FHI 360 is committed to providing equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, disability or status as a veteran with respect to policies, programs, or activities.

How to apply:

https://jobs-fhi360.icims.com/jobs/14892/technical-advisor-i%2c-food-sec...