WFP Tanzania through its Country Strategic Plan (CSP, 2022-2027) is supporting the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania to deliver equitable and inclusive economic growth through investments in human capital, resilient livelihoods and nutritious diets. Through the CSP, WFP provides technical and financial assistance to strengthen national systems for effective delivery of nutrition services, promote healthy diets and faciltiate social behaviour change for improved nutrition.  

In addition, WFP supports the government to implement national priorities as stipulated in policy instruments including the National Multisectoral Nutrition Action Plan (NMNAP II). Key national priorities include  food fortification and biofortification. To faciltiate evidence-driven decisions to address micronutrient deficiencies, WFP Tanzania and the Government of Tanzania with support from WFP Headquarters are initiating the Mapping and Modelling Inadequate Micronutrient Intake (MIMI) Project. MIMI is a multi-country project which applies novel analytical approaches to existing data sources to model, contextualise, and map the risk of inadequate micronutrient intake and compare programme and policy scenarios.

To ensure a well-coordinated implementation of the MIMI Project, and strengthen technical assistance on food fortification and biofortification, WFP Tanzania Country Office in Dar es Salaam is seeking to recruit a Programme Policy Officer (Micronutrients) for 6 months.

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Nutrition, HIV and School-Based Programmes and overall supervision of the Head of Programme, the Programme Policy Officer (Micronutrients) will perform the following duties:

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide day to day project management and coordination support to the MIMI Project including liaising with project stakeholders to ensure timely implementation.
• Oversee WFP Tanzania's food fortification and biofortification portfolio, providing guidance and ensuring coordinated approach across units/functions and projects.
• Map stakeholders involved in the food fortification and biofortification in Tanzania and build strong networks with them, including government entities, non-government organisations, United Nations, civil society, private sector, research and academic institutions and donors for a collaborative and holistic approach to addressing micronutrient deficiencies.
• Support finalisation of nutrition integration and healthy diets strategy for the Country Strategic Plan.
• Review and finalise the food fortification position paper, coordinating inputs across relevant functions and offices.
• Lead resource mobilisation efforts on micronutrients including drafting concept notes and proposals on food fortfication and biofortification.
• Develop communication and knowledge products on micronutrients including MIMI project, food fortification and biofortification including infographics, short videos targeting different audiences.
• Develop training manuals and packages on food fortification and biofortification.
• Liaise with Programme staff and other units to ensure effective collaboration and timely delivery of activities and tasks.
• Perform other tasks as assigned

DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF CONTRACT:

The following will be deliverables of this consultancy during and after completion of the activity:

1. MIMI project implemented timely and project objectives met.

2. WFP Tanzania's food fortification and biofortification portfolio well coordinated across functions and offices.

3. Food fortification and biofortification stakeholders mapped and strategy for engagement drafted.

4. Nutrition integration and healthy diets strategy revised and food fortification position paper finalised and endorsed by Management.

5. Concept note(s) and proposal(s) on micronutrients available and/or submitted.

6. Communication and knowledge products on micronutrients including MIMI project, food fortification and biofortification developed.

7. Training manuals and packages on food fortification and biofortification available.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Education: Advanced university degree in Public Health, Nutrition, Food Technology, Public Policy, Social Sciences, or related fields.

Experience:

• 5–10 years of relevant professional experience in nutrition particularly micronutrients including food fortification and biofortification, public health, or food systems.
• Experience working with government (at national and local levels), civil society, private sector and development partners including on capacity development.
• Experience in supporting advocacy and communication efforts in nutrition including developing communication and knowledge products.
• Experience in mobilising resources for nutrition will be an added advantage.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and to coordinate inputs from variety of actors.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Strong technical knowledge of public health nutrition especially micronutrient nutrition.
• Strong understanding of Tanzania's nutrition context especially food fortification and biofortification including stakeholders, policies and programmes.
• Excellent skills in translating evidence into policy and advocacy messages.
• Proven ability to convene and coordinate diverse stakeholders.
• Strong communication and facilitation skills, including preparation of advocacy and policy materials.
•  Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively in complex, multicultural settings.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong organisational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritise tasks and meet deadlines.
• Analytical and detail oriented.
• Proactive and resourceful, with a willingness to take initiative and learn new skills.
• Flexible and adaptable, able to work well in a fast-paced environment.
• Thinks innovatively and applies creative thinking.

Languages: Fluency in English and Swahili.

• Provide day to day project management and coordination support to the MIMI Project including liaising with project stakeholders to ensure timely implementation.
• Oversee WFP Tanzania’s food fortification and biofortification portfolio, providing guidance and ensuring coordinated approach across units/functions and projects.
• Map stakeholders involved in the food fortification and biofortification in Tanzania and build strong networks with them, including government entities, non-government organisations, United Nations, civil society, private sector, research and academic institutions and donors for a collaborative and holistic approach to addressing micronutrient deficiencies.
• Support finalisation of nutrition integration and healthy diets strategy for the Country Strategic Plan.
• Review and finalise the food fortification position paper, coordinating inputs across relevant functions and offices.
• Lead resource mobilisation efforts on micronutrients including drafting concept notes and proposals on food fortification and biofortification.
• Develop communication and knowledge products on micronutrients including MIMI project, food fortification and biofortification including infographics, short videos targeting different audiences.
• Develop training manuals and packages on food fortification and biofortification.
• Liaise with Programme staff and other units to ensure effective collaboration and timely delivery of activities and tasks.
• Perform other tasks as assigned