Volunteerism opportunity, International: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations needs the services of Nutrition Specialist in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia)
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Application deadline: 20 June 2021: The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is the UN organization that promotes volunteerism to support peace and development worldwide. Volunteerism can transform the pace and nature of development and it benefits both society at large and the individual volunteer. UNV contributes to peace and development by advocating for volunteerism globally, encouraging partners to integrate volunteerism into development programming, and mobilizing volunteers.
In most cultures, volunteerism is deeply embedded in long-established, ancient traditions of sharing and support within the communities. In this context, UN Volunteers take part in various forms of volunteerism and play a role in development and peace together with co-workers, host agencies and local communities. In all assignments, UN Volunteers promote volunteerism through their action and conduct.
Engaging in volunteer activity can effectively and positively enrich their understanding of local and social realities, as well as create a bridge between themselves and the people in their host community. This will make the time they spend as UN Volunteers even more rewarding and productive.
Description of task
Under the under the overall guidance of the FAO Representative to AU & UNECA and Subregional coordination for Eastern Africa (SRC SFE), the direct supervision of the SFE Nutrition Officer and in collaboration with the SFE MDT technical specialists, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:
- Support JICA IFNA focused countries in the Eastern Africa sub region (Ethiopia and Kenya) in implementing their IFNA country strategy;
- Support documentation and dissemination of good practices and lessons learnt on implementing IFNA country framework and action plan;
- Contribute to active fundraising for projects on integrated food security and nutrition programming under the IFNA;
- Provide technical and policy support to the Government and relevant stakeholders for improved food security, nutrition and sustainable agriculture which can support IFNA strategy and action plan ;
- Analyse relevant food systems and nutrition related technical social, economic and environmental information, data and/or statistics for input in various documents to inform policy and programming
- Facilitate partner dialogue, to explore and develop potential areas of collaboration in the area of food and nutrition security
- Provide technical support to FAO country Offices on food systems and nutrition programming
- Plan, organize and participate in capacity development activities related to food systems and nutrition, and oversee the development of related materials and tools;
- Participate in and follow-up recommendations of meetings, consultations and conferences, the production of required materials and the provision of information and assistance to partners
- Perform other related duties, as required.
Qualifications/Requirements
Required degree level: Bachelor degree or equivalent
Education – Additional Comments:
Nutrition/Dietetics, Food sciences, public health, agricultural economics, development economics or related area
Required experience: 24 Months
Experience remark:
Two to Five years of relevant experience in international nutrition programming, policy assistance related to food and nutrition security and sustainable agriculture and food systems
Language skills:
- English(Mandatory), Level – Fluent
- French(Optional), Level – Working Knowledge
Area of expertise: Food safety and nutrition
Area of expertise details:
Nutrition
Food systems (not mandatory)
Additional Requirements for Area of Expertise: Food security, food safety, public health, international development
Driving license: No
Competencies values:
Adaptability and Flexibility, Commitment and Motivation, Commitment to Continuous Learning, Communication, Creativity, Ethics and Values, Judgement and Decision-making, Knowledge Sharing, Leadership, Planning and Organizing, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity, Self-Management, Vision, Working in Teams
Application procedure:
Prerequisites
This assignment is funded by JICA, therefore only former Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JICA-JOCV) who could get recommendation by JICA-JOCV Secretariat are eligible to apply. Please check your application eligibility here: JICA website.
This is a UN Volunteer assignment and eligible candidates must be 25 years of age or older.
Selection process
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. The selection will be done by the UN Host Entity at the level of the country of assignment, via competency-based interviews held via skype or telephone.
How to apply
Please apply via the link below. Nutrition Specialist | UNV
You may apply to a maximum of three assignments per advertisement and indicate your order of preference in the ‘Additional Remarks’ section of your profile.
Discover more jobs and volunteer opportunities through the link below: Careers | Human Rights and Legal Research Centre (hrlrc.org)
Assignment Place Remark
Living Conditions
Addis Ababa (meaning New flower) the capital and largest city of Ethiopia is the duty station of the assignment. With a population of
about 4.8 million, it is situated at 2,355m above sea level (it is advisable to take precautionary measures to avoid some health
problems that might occur because of high altitude). With an average high-temperature of 20°C (68°F) and an average low-temperature
of 10°C (53.6°F), days are mild to warm year-round with cooler nights (Warm dressing including cardigans/warm jackets is advised).
March-April is the small rainy season while mid-June to September is the peak rainy season. The time zone in Ethiopia is East Africa
Time (EAT) (UTC+03). Getting to Addis Ababa is easy as Ethiopia has the oldest Ethiopian Airlines (Ethiopian) which is the flag carrier of Ethiopia. During the past seventy plus years, Ethiopian has become one of the continent’s leading carriers, unrivalled in Africa for
efficiency and operational success, turning profits for almost all the years of its existence. Ethiopian currently serves 100 international
and 21 domestic destinations operating the newest and youngest fleet.
Addis Ababa is often referred to as the diplomatic city as it is the seat of the Head Quarters for both the African Union (previously the
Organisation of African Unity) and the UNECA (including other programmes and agencies of the UN) as well as various Continental
and International organisations and Embassies. While searching for a home, visitors have many options for temporary
accommodations such as high to mid-end hotels, luxury apartments and guest houses. The city has many International and national
hotels and restaurants boasting a wide variety of cuisines, several museums and recreational parks and malls. Depending on family
needs, there about 10 international schools. Over 12 National banks cater to local and expatriate residents. The commercial bank in
ECA caters for banking services for international staff.
Ethiopian culture is conservative with a majority of Orthodox Christians, followed my Muslims and Protestants. It is important to be
polite and respectful. Dress code should be on the formal side in the city during work hours and moderately conservative after work
hours. Alcohol is allowed in the country.
There are recurrent cases of water borne diseases (Typhoid, Amoeba, Acute Watery Diarrhea) among others that occur from time to
time, but this is very much dependent on personal hygiene. Malaria is present in the country but limited to the low land areas of the
south where the altitude is below 2000m. This is not the case with Addis Ababa. Infectious diseases like measles, hepatitis A, B, and C,
meningitis, HIV are also common and depend on the risky behaviour practiced without adequate protection for some of the diseases.
Health care facilities in Addis Ababa are reasonable for basic care of minor health problems, elsewhere health care facilities are
extremely poor. The United Nations Health Care Center is an outpatient health care facility located in the UNECA compound for staff
and their dependents. Visitors to Ethiopia should be in possession of a valid health certificate for yellow fever. Vaccination against
cholera is also required for any person who has visited or transited a cholera-infected area within six days prior to arrival in the country.
Ethiopian currency is denominated in “Birr” and “centimes”. The exchange rate fluctuates. The official exchange rate was USD 1.00 =
ETB 38.10 (approx.) as of 02 November 2020. Banking service is provided There are numerous supermarkets catering to both local
and expatriate residents in addition to local fruit and vegetable stalls available throughout the city. Utilities such as electricity,
communications (internet, mobile service packages) and water are provided by the government although fluctuations and outages are
recurrent (it is advisable to have backup generators and water tanker). In terms of cost of living, monthly rent costs range from $1,500
in suburban locations to $2,500 in central locations, cost of groceries range from $500-$800, another $400 for incidentals and utilities.
In terms of security, while generally safe petty theft and mugging are on the rise as such vigilance during the day and especially in the
night-time is advised.
Ethiopia is a culturally diverse and unique country. It provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature
level of cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable.
Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical
hardship and little comfort, are essential.
Discover more jobs and volunteer opportunities through the link below: Careers | Human Rights and Legal Research Centre (hrlrc.org)
Berinyuy Cajetan is the founder and publisher of Human Rights and Legal Research Centre (HRLRC) since 2017. He has intensive experience in strategic communications for Civil Society Organizations, campaign and advocacy, and social issues. He has an intensive experiencing in human rights monitoring, documentation and reporting.
