World Health Organization, Multi Location
The World Health Organization (WHO) is the technical and coordinating authority for health within the United Nations system. It is responsible for providing leadership in global health matters, shaping the health research agenda, setting norms and standards, articulating evidence-based policy options, providing technical and implementation support and monitoring and assessing health trends. In Afghanistan, WHO works to improve the health and well-being of all Afghans by preventing and reducing mortality, morbidity and disability and strengthening health services in close coordination with national and international partners.
The overall objective of this assigned duty is to provide technical and managerial support for the start of the above-mentioned project through developing a detailed implementation plan and support for the strengthening of an effective coordination mechanism for project support.
Organizational context:
Nutrition is a fundamental determinant of health and development all through the lifespan of mankind. Afghanistan has persistently elevated levels of undernutrition mainly caused by poor health conditions, suboptimal maternal and child feeding and care practices, and food insecurity, compounded by high rates of poverty and illiteracy. These factors play a complex and interrelated role as contributing factors to the widespread of undernutrition.
According to the National Nutrition survey 2013 in Afghanistan, 40.9% of children under five were stunted. 9.5% (4.0% severe,and 5.5% moderate) children were wasted. 24.6% of children were underweight. 9.2% of women of reproductive age are thin or undernourished. 20.0% of women were overweight, and 8.3 % were obese.
Based on NNS 2013, 69.4 % of children were reported to have been breastfed within one hour of birth. More than half (58.4 %) of the children aged 0-5months were exclusively breastfed, the data showed that 41.3% of infants 6-8 months were introduced to solid, semi-solid, and soft foods. Anemia was common in women of reproductive age (40.4%) and among children 6-59 months of age (44.9%). Iodine deficiency was fairly common among both women of reproductive age and children 7-12 years of age, with a prevalence of 40.8% and 29.5% respectively. These figures simply tell us that the nutrition situation in Afghanistan, especially that of women and children is a serious public health concern.
Limitations of current surveillance activities include the poor reliability of collected data and the variability of data quality. It is difficult to obtain representative data, especially at the provincial level, as the surveys are disaggregating the data up to the regional level. Security problems and other access constraints make it very difficult to conduct nationwide surveys, and the situation in different areas of the country is rapidly changing. Therefore, it is important to focus on obtaining good trend data that will trigger appropriate intervention through the establishment of effective surveillance systems.
Nutrition surveillance can be organized at different levels: national, regional, provincial levels. It might cover specific geographical zones or population groups. It could also focus on specific types of malnutrition.
Under the general guidance of the WHO Nutrition professional officer and NCD/CD team leader, the officer will:
• Lead the Nutrition task force and Support and steer the re-design and planning of the nutrition surveillance system and provide inputs on its expansion in the country.
• Update SOPs used for data collection, analysis and interpretation in line with future plans for nutrition surveillance expansion.
• The incumbent should also ensure effective data collection, dissemination of analytical reports on a regular basis through quarterly nutrition bulletin/dashboard with clear feedback mechanisms established.
• Provide technical support to nutrition partners in the area of data collection and processing, and in-patient SAM
• Coordinate with the Public Nutrition Directorate, HMIS, DEWS/NDSR, and other relevant departments of the MoPH and development partners for triangulation of data, analysis, and dissemination of the results for action
• Monitoring of targeted health facilities and IPD-SAM centers with provincial nutrition officers and providing adequate feedback.
• Work closely with Provincial Nutrition Officers and counterparts in WHO and UNICEF and other stakeholders
• Perform any other tasks as may require
Education:
Minimum: Advanced university degree in nutrition and/or public health
Desirable: Training or specialization in nutrition
Work experience:
Minimum three years of professional working experience in food and nutrition or public health programs, and surveillance
Languages: Very good knowledge of English and the local language.
Criteria
Interested applicants (Afghan National) meeting the above qualifications are requested to submit their applications quoting this Vacancy Announcement Number (WHOAFG-2022-06-51) along with their curriculum vitae, copy of National ID (Tazkira) to below mentioned email:
Applications received after the closing date will not be considered. ONLY CANDIDATES UNDER SERIOUS CONSIDERATION WILL BE CONTACTED FOR INTERVIEW AND TEST.
WHO is a smoke free environment.
Post Date
Jun 22, 2022
Closing Date
Jul 03, 2022
Reference
WHOAFG-2022-06-51
Number of Vacancies
1
Salary Range
$3000 - $3007 monthly
Years of Experience
3 years
Probation Period
3 month
Contract Type
LICA
Contract Duration
1 year
Contract Extensible
Maybe
Minimum Education
Bachelor's Degree
Gender
Any
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