Nutrition Sensitive Social Protection and Food Systems (ssta) - International CST II - WAE

Organizational Context

The World Food Programme (WFP) is the largest global humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and fostering sustainable futures. WFP supports vulnerable populations through food assistance, skills development, and social protection. In Iraq, WFP bolsters government efforts to enhance food security and resilience, working to transform social protection delivery and strengthen national systems.

Job Purpose

The Technical Advisor will support WFP Iraq’s work on nutrition-sensitive social protection and food systems including evidence generation, food security monitoring, and school meals. The Technical Advisor will work closely with the School Meals, Nutrition and Food Systems national workstream lead as well as other team members supporting this portfolio. Under the EU Joint Programme on social protection, WFP has committed to supporting the mainstreaming of food security and nutrition across the national social protection system by increasing awareness and national capacity on nutrition-sensitive social protection and identifying low-cost high-impact opportunities to embed nutrition into existing social protection systems, programs and activities. The Technical Advisor will play a critical role in achieving this work by providing technical guidance and leadership, operationalizing WFP’s nutrition-sensitive social protection approach, and identifying country-driven opportunities to strengthen nutrition-sensitive social protection.

Responsibilities

The Senior Strategic Technical Advisor (SSTA) for Nutrition Sensitive Social Protection and Food Systems will play a crucial role in supporting WFP Iraq's initiatives. This involves leading the design and implementation of WFP's nutrition-sensitive social protection framework, which includes developing conceptual direction, advocacy materials, and government capacity-building plans. The advisor will conduct a mapping of Iraq's social protection system to identify opportunities for integrating nutrition-sensitive interventions, prioritizing low-cost, high-impact solutions. A key responsibility is to contribute technical expertise to studies like 'Fill the Nutrient Gap' and 'Cost and Affordability of a Healthy Diet,' and to develop knowledge materials such as policy briefs to aid government decision-making. The role also entails strengthening the capacity of the Iraqi government (federal and KRI) to conduct food security and nutrition assessments and integrating food security and nutrition indicators into relevant surveys. Furthermore, the SSTA will foster partnerships with government bodies and international organizations, contribute to EU Joint Programme reporting, and provide specialized expertise on food systems and nutrition-sensitive social protection design. Internal capacity building within the WFP Social Protection team is also a significant aspect of the role, involving knowledge sharing and structured learning plans.

Work Experience

Candidates need a minimum of 10 years of experience in social protection, nutrition, or public sector systems within low- or middle-income countries. This experience should include demonstrated contributions to programme design, policy development, or research.

Skills

Social protection, Nutrition-sensitive social protection, Food systems, Policy development, Research and analysis, Capacity building, Advocacy, Stakeholder engagement, Food security monitoring, Programme design, Public policy, International development, Multisectoral coordination, Knowledge management, Emergency response, Humanitarian assistance

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