Reports to (role)
Head of Economic Security
What we do
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) works worldwide to provide humanitarian assistance to people affected by conflict and armed violence. We take action in response to emergencies and at the same time promote respect for international humanitarian law. We are an independent and neutral organization, and our mandate stems essentially from the Geneva Conventions of 1949.
We work closely with National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and with their International Federation in order to ensure a concerted, rational and rapid humanitarian response to the needs of the victims of armed conflict or any other situation of internal violence. We direct and coordinate the international activities conducted in these situations.
Purpose
The Nutritionist works as part of a two-person team who are the central focal points, and institutional leads on all files related to the area of nutrition, and in particular for global policies, guidelines and training modules for the ICRC's nutrition programs globally. The ICRC Nutritionist is responsible for advising and supporting Economic Security teams to develop nutrition-sensitive approaches in their programs, integrated into the various stages of the project cycle. They also work closely with Health and Detention colleagues to provide relevant expertise and support for treatment and prevention of malnutrition among under-5s, pregnant and lactating women, hospitalised patients and detainees.
In line with the ICRC’s Institutional Strategy and the EcoSec Strategy, he/she contributes to the development of programs, as well as to humanitarian and operational diplomacy, benefiting and influencing humanitarian debate.
S/he develops global policies, tools, guidelines and training modules for the Economic Security Unit’s Nutrition program and contributes to the strategic development of related technical files at regional level and in support to the HQ.
Accountabilities & Functional responsibilities - Global thematic issues
- Responsible for the global coherence of nutrition interventions in the ICRC.
- Responsible for developing global strategy, guidelines, processes and protocols in relation to ICRC nutrition programs.
- Ensures the ICRC remains informed of global and regional trends in nutrition programming.
- Proposes and develops specific institutional files of interest to the EcoSec Unit, devising a roadmap for action; conducting research; writing briefs, articles and policy papers.
- Documents and actively participates in reflections operationalising issues of institutional importance (in relation to the Institutional Strategy 2019-2024 and beyond).
- Contributes to the adaptation and adoption of EcoSec global strategies and policies.
- Contributes to EcoSec reflections on how to improve and operationalise multi-disciplinary work both within EcoSec and beyond.
- Collaborates as necessary with peers to develop common projects and objectives to enhance the ICRC’s response to affected populations.
- Engages actively with the relevant communities of practice to continuously review and share knowledge, literature and information relevant for the Nutritionist community globally and regionally.
- Designs and delivers nutrition-program workshops and training modules in coordination with relevant colleagues and Units. Works with regional nutritionist to ensure training content is relevant, topical and updated. Provides coaching to specialist staff as required.
Accountabilities & Functional responsibilities - Networking
- Develops and maintains a global network of external contacts (private, public, non-governmental) in nutrition and thematic topics on which s/he (co)leads, and represents the ICRC in relevant working groups, clusters/sectors, regional meetings and fora.
- Exchanges expertise and experiences with relevant networks and interlocutors as necessary and ensures dissemination of global issues, and recent literature/ developments/ techniques/ tools among fellow EcoSec Nutritionists and the wider EcoSec Unit.
- Represents the ICRC to partners, organizations and in forums whose work relates to nutrition.
Accountabilities & Functional responsibilities - Operational support
- Coaches Regional Nutritionists (and Regions/Delegations when necessary) in developing relevant strategies, plans of action and program adjustments.
- Maintains an overview of approaches and programs in area of expertise to ensure exchange of experiences and lessons learnt between Regions.
- Ensures Regions/Delegations apply institutional technical tools and provides guidance to adapt and operationalise them.
- Coaches new Regional Nutritionists in ICRC approaches to agriculture and relevant thematic files, including methodologies, standards and guidance applied.
- Provides specific Region or Delegation level capacity building as requested and required.
- Supports EcoSec Nutritionists teams in representing the ICRC with relevant authorities in case of challenging negotiations.
- Carries out short-term support assignments to ICRC delegations to provide expert nutrition advise in case of need.
People management responsibilities
No direct line reports, however:
- Acts as technical supervisor for all Regional Nutritionists
- Understands and supervises the Performance Management & Development (PMD) activities for employees under their supervision, contributing to the PMD for all Regional Nutritionists
- Engages in ongoing and continuous feedback and support for Nutritionist pool
- Works closely with the Talent Manager to maintain the Nutritionist pool (including recruitment, competency validation, deployment planning, track 1 and track 2 IAP, development/career planning etc.)
Scope & Impact
- Geographical remit: Global
- The position is in Geneva, with significant travel
Relationships
Internally, interacts with:
- GVA: the EcoSec Unit HoS and Specialists, other Protection & Essential Services metiers, the five Regions, REM, COM, Innovation, DTD, and other relevant departments/units.
- Regional Resource Networks: regional nutritionists, regional EcoSec staff, Heads of Regional Affairs, other regional specialists
- Delegations: nutritionists, EcoSec teams, Delegation Management teams, other Protection & Essential Services staff
- Contributes to performance appraisals of Regional Nutritionists and other agronomists as required
Externally, represents the ICRC to a wide range of stakeholders including government, technical authorities, academia/research organisation, humanitarian and development actors, Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement partners, private sector stakeholders, and other organisations and forums whose work relates to the area of expertise.
Certifications / Education required
- Master’s degree or equivalent Nutrition or Public Health
- Very good command of English and good understanding of French.
- Computer proficiency.
Professional Experience required
- Typically 12-15 years' overall professional experience.
- 5–7 years' experience working in humanitarian and/or development contexts working in nutrition and food security programs.
- Experience in Coordination of global nutrition programs at HQ level.
- Experience working in health, food security or nutrition programs at field level.
- Experience in food quality, and food systems an asset.
- Experience with ICRC or the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement an asset.
Desired profile and skills
- Strongly motivated by humanitarian work
- Able to work under pressure in a potentially dangerous environment
What we offer
- Rewarding work in a humanitarian and multicultural environment
- A two-week orientation course and other opportunities for further in-house training
- Attractive social benefits
- Join an ICRC talent pool and be considered for future assignments elsewhere
Additional information
- Type of role: Nutritionist
- Working rate: 90% to 100%
- Starting date: 09.05.2022
- Location: Geneva, Switzerland
- Hardship : H0
- Job level: C2
- Length of assignment: 48 months
- Application deadline: 30.01.2022
The ICRC values diversity and is committed to create an inclusive working environment. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates.