RECRUITMENT: Health and Nutrition Specialist - 1 position

1. BACKGROUND

The Strengthening Resilience of the Agriculture Sector Project is funded by the International Development Association (IDA) grant in the amount of US$ 58 million prepared to support Tajikistan for the purpose of building foundations for a more resilient agriculture sector referring to the availability of public agricultural services, including improved seeds, seedlings, and planting materials; agri-logistical services; agrometeorological information, soil testing, locust control, and crop protection. The World Bank approved additional grant financing of US$50 million equivalent grant from the IDA20 Crisis Response Window Early Response Financing (CRW ERF) as additional financing to the SRASP (SRASP AF).

The development objective of the SRASP AF is to strengthen the foundations for a more resilient agricultural sector and support emergency interventions to address food and nutrition security in Tajikistan. The project will provide additional financing (AF) for the following components: (i) strengthening seed, seedling, and planting material systems; (ii) support investments in agri-logistical centers (ALCs) for horticulture value chains; (iii) strengthen public capacity for crises prevention and management; and (iv) project management and coordination.

The Project is implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Tajikistan through the State Institute “Agriculture Entrepreneurship Development” which is Project Management Unit for the World Bank-funded Strengthening Resilience of the Agriculture Sector Project (SI AED PMU).

2. SCOPE OF WORK

The SI AED PMU seeks to hire a Health and Nutrition Specialist. This Specialist will be part of the AED PMU and will work closely with the Coordinator of Component 3 and Deputy Director/Project Coordinator. This Specialist is also expected to collaborate closely with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of the Republic of Tajikistan (all relevant departments) and other ministries and agencies in the implementation of the above-mentioned nutrition-related activities.

Specifically, the Specialist is expected to:

- Provide organizational support in data collection and analysis about beneficiaries (pregnant and lactating women and children under 5 years old);
- Facilitate and ensure all planned nutrition-related activities are implemented properly and completed by the project closing date;
- Facilitate any government approvals and Orders related to nutrition activities under the Project;
- Facilitate the acquisition of required technical assistance and provide guidance to ensure quality and timely implementation of the health and nutrition activities under the project;
- Use appropriate project management tools to plan, review and track progress on implementation of nutrition related activities as well as on the utilization of project resources for intended purposes;
- Collaborate with the Ministry of Health and Social Protection and other responsible agencies and development partners in rolling out nutrition interventions under the project;
- Facilitate the development of instructions on the usage of micronutrients, monitoring forms for PHC workers, and elaboration of nutrition related activities implementation progress indicators;
- Organize field trips to monitor the validity and reliability of the data collected in the course of activity implementation, including data on the delivery of micronutrients to beneficiaries;
- Lead all health and nutrition processes and assessments, including coordinating the interventions targeted communities and conducting community-led analysis;
- Draft Terms of References and sections for the Project Operational Manual for the nutrition-related work.
- Participate in the development of modules for the training to be conducted for health workers, pregnant women, and mothers in coordination with the AED PMU Training Specialist and other international and local partners- including UNICEF and USAID;
- Participate in the meetings of the Mother and Child Health Coordination Council under the Ministry of Health and Social Protection and other relevant coordination mechanisms and report on the project activities related to health and nutrition;
- Arrange required trainings in coordination with the AED PMU Training Specialist;
- Participate during missions, meetings related to the nutrition activities of the project;
- Provide monitoring of the nutrition related activities;
- Participate in conferences to exchange lessons learned and experience of implementing nutrition related activities of the project;
- Ensure nutrition related activities are implemented in coordination with local stakeholders and other donor partners (UNICEF, WPF, USAID & others) involved in nutrition, early childhood development, health, food fortification and food security;
- Participate in sectoral meetings and provide regular updates, as requested;
- Contribute to monthly and quarterly reports;
- Any other tasks that will be needed for the successful implementation of nutrition related activities and achievement of nutrition-related outcomes.

3. LANGUAGES

Health and Nutrition Specialists shall work in English, Tajik and/or Russian languages. Documents shall be prepared in English, Tajik and/or Russian Languages.

4. QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

• A higher education degree in either nutrition, public health, medicine, family medicine or community development;
• A Good knowledge of the health system of Tajikistan and key nutrition challenges of the country;
• At least 5 years of relevant work experience in formulation of nutrition and public health interventions and their operation;
• Practical work experience with implementing micronutrient initiative;
• Working experience in international organizations. Hands-on experience working on projects funded by the World Bank, or the ADB would be an asset;
• Good skills in analytical thinking and previous research/survey experience particularly related to health;
• Proved abilities to work in a team;
• Good leadership skills;
• Computer literacy (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Internet);
• Fluency in Tajik and Russian;
• Working knowledge of English is an advantage.

5. APPLICATION PROCESS

SI AED PMU now invites qualified specialists with relevant work experience to participate in the competitive selection for the vacant position of the Health and Nutrition Specialist.
A cover letter and resume in English and Russian languages clearly demonstrating how applicants meet essential qualifications and asset criteria should be submitted to: SI AED PMU at Этот адрес электронной почты защищен от спам-ботов. У вас должен быть включен JavaScript для просмотра. with “Health and Nutrition Specialist” in the subject line by no later than February 9, 2023 until 5:00 pm. Only full packages will be considered.
Applicants for the position of the Health and Nutrition Specialist will be selected in accordance with the procedures specified in the “Guidelines for the selection and hiring of Specialists by the World Bank”.
You can get acquainted with the full Terms of Reference of the Health and Nutrition Specialist in the SI AED PMU at the address: Rudaki district, Jamoat Russia, Village 1-may, house no: 432, Republic of Tajikistan.
Contact phone: (44) 610 00 13; 610 00 14; e-mail: Этот адрес электронной почты защищен от спам-ботов. У вас должен быть включен JavaScript для просмотра. ; website: www.pmutacp.tj