Nutrition Specialist at West African Health Organisation (WAHO)

The West African Health Organisation (WAHO) was formed in 1987 when the Heads of State and Government from all fifteen countries in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) adopted the Protocol creating the organisation. The Protocol, which was subsequently ratified by each government in the sub-region, grants WAHO status as a Specialised Agency of ECOWAS and describes the organisation’s mission as follows: "The objective of the West African Health Organisation shall be the attainment of the highest possible standard and protection of health of the peoples in the sub-region through the harmonisation of the policies of the Member States, pooling of resources, and cooperation with one another and with others for a collective and strategic combat against the health problems of the sub-region." Article III, Paragraph I 1987 Protocol of WAHO (in french)

The driving force behind WAHO’s creation was the incongruence of the agendas that were being pursued by the two existing inter-governmental health organisations in the sub-region, the Francophone Organisation de Coordination et de Cooperation pour la Lutte Contre les Grandes Endemies (OCCGE) and the Anglophone West African Health Community (WAHC). It was determined that, as matters of health are not bound by linguistic difference, it would benefit the organisations to synchronise their efforts and combine resources to enhance the impact of their programmes in West Africa. Thus, the OCCGE and WAHC merged to form WAHO, an organisation committed to transcending linguistic borders in the sub-region to serve all fifteen ECOWAS Member States. In October of 1998, the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government established Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso as the site of WAHO Headquarters and appointed the Organisation’s Director and Deputy Director. In March of 2000, WAHO began active operations as a leading health authority in the sub-region, serving ECOWAS Member States.

The West African Health Organisation (WAHO), the specialized health institution of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), in partnership with the Micronutrient Initiative, a leading organisation working exclusively to eliminate vitamin and mineral deficiencies in the world’s most vulnerable populations, is looking for a qualified and experienced professionals to work in its Nutrition and Non Communicable Diseases (NLD) programme as a Nutrition Specialist.

Job Title: Nutrition Specialist

Official Station/Country Location: Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso (West African Country)

Department: Department of Epidemic and Disease Control
Immediate Supervisor: Professional Officer NCDs
Duration of Appointment: Initially 2 years; renewable based on satisfactory performance and availability of Funds

Summary of Post and Assigned Duties:
Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Director of the Department of Epidemic and Disease Control, the incumbent will assist the Professional Officer NCDs n providing policy and technical support to the Nutrition Programme in WAHO.

Description of Main Duties and Responsibilities
The incumbent shall:

• Contribute to the development; and implementation of a Regional Strategy and Action Plan for the Management, Prevention and Control of Nutrition Disorders;
• Provide technical support to ECOWAS Member States to develop policy documnets and plans for the control of nutritional problems partIcularly malnutrition;
• Assist ECOWAS Membe Countries in interogating nutritional interventions, in particular Vitamin A Supplementation, in their national health programmes and within other sectors;
• Assist ECOWAS Member States i.n buiidin.g national capacity for the management, prevention and control of nutritional problems particularly the prevention of anemia in pregnant women;
• Promote research and surveys on nutrition to assist in formulating evidencebased policies and programmes;
• Coordinate information sharing and learning on Nutrition, including; i. Providing regular information and updates, and ii. Identification, documentation, dissemination and scaling up of best practices in the field of
• nutrition;
• Assist in building the regional epidemicological database on malnutrition and other nutritional problems;
• Facilitate and support, prevention and control of nutritional disorders.

Education:
Master degree from a recognised university in Nutrition, Dietetics, Food Science, Public Health or other related field is essential. A Medical degree or PhD is desirable.

Experience and Key Competencies:

• At least 5 years of relevant professional experience
• with demonstrated success in managing nutrition programmes with at least. years at the international level;
• In-depth knowledge and understanding of the political context and development, and health issues in the region;
• Experience in the conduct of nutrition surveillance, designing and implementing strategies for the management, prevention and control of malnutrition,
• Demonstrated excellent oral and written communication skills, including the. ability to write. various types of documents including health policy briefs, proposals, reports, and other documents for engagement with governments and donors/partners;
• Excellent training and facilitation skills;
• Demonstrated ability work within a multinational environment and with a diverse, range of partners at the national, regional and global levels,
• Good time management skills, including the ability to work towards deadlines and work on several activities simultaneously and with a high degree of independence;
• Demonstrated skills in the use of information technology.

Language Proficiency:
Excellent knowledge (spoken and written) of one of the official languages of ECOWAS 9English, French or Portuguese). Working knowledge of the others would be an advantage.

Remuneration
Salary to the Post: Very attractive

Application Closing Date
25th July, 2014

Method of Application
Applications should be sent by postal courier and/or by email to:

The Human Resource Officer
West African Health Organisation
01 BP 153, Bobo-Dioulasso
Burkina Faso
Email: [email protected]

Each Application should include:

• A letter of application addressed to the Director General
• Updated Curriculum Vitae
• A letter of motivation
• Copies of Certificates

Note:

• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted
• Incompleted applications will not be considered
• Qualifled female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.