DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS28 May 2025-23:59-GMT+05:30 India Standard Time (Kolkata)
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ABOUT WFP
The World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity, for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.
At WFP, people are at the heart of everything we do and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse, committed, skilled, and high performing teams, selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living WFP's values (Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves.
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WHY JOIN WFP?
WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.
WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse, and multicultural working environment.
WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of training, accreditation, coaching, mentorship, and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities.
A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across the various country, regional and global offices around the world, and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe.
We offer an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section of this vacancy announcement).
WFP encourages female candidates and people with disabilities to apply
WFP seeks candidates of the highest integrity and professionalism who share our humanitarian principles. Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis. We are committed to promoting diversity and the principle of equal employment opportunity for all our employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of religion or belief, ethnic or social background, gender, and disability.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
This vacancy is open to Indian National only.
This vacancy is open to internal and external candidates.
Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
A Written test will be used for Screening Candidates.
Only recommended candidates will be retained on roster for a period of two years and may be considered for similar positions from roster.
The Starting Remuneration for this position will be 162,706/- INR Per Month, which will be decided based on relevant experience & qualification. All tax liability for payments from this contract are to be borne by the subscriber.
VACANCY DETAILS
Job Title: SSA Consultant (Take Home Ration Study)
Grade: Level 8
Type of Contract: Special Services Agreement
Duration: 6 Months
Reporting To: Head of Unit – Nutrition & School Feeding
Duty Station: Work from Home, with Travel as required
Date of Publication: 14 May 2025
Deadline of Application: 28 May 2025
JOB PURPOSE:
To critically review the supplementary nutrition programme (SNP) of Anganwadi services scheme, especially Take-Home Rations (THR) and map the different models for its production, recipe combinations for THR distributed across the states and UTs and assess their adherence to recently released NFSA 2023 norms as well as similar other global norms for products meant for infants and young children
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive, nor exhaustive)
Conduct a state and UT-wise mapping of the Supplementary Nutrition Programme (SNP) under the anganwadi services (formerly ICDS scheme), especially in terms of entitlements (Dry ration / THR) provided to anganwadi beneficiaries (Children 6m – 6 years, Pregnant and Breastfeeding women, Adolescents).
Map the individual types, models of production, constituents, packaging, serving size and instructions for use (availability of any recipe document or IEC material for the end users), frequency of distribution, processing methods, and quality control and assurance procedures for production and distribution of Take Home Rations (THR) in all states and union territories of India.
Map any specific types of supplementary nutrition distributed to only select geographies / beneficiary groups in States. (E.g. any specific THRs distributed to pregnant women, children with SAM etc)
Identify and document efforts to improve linkage between the supplementary nutrition and nutrition education at the community level taken by different state and UTs.
Conduct a theoretical analysis of the THRs / Dry Rations to assess their conformity to product composition and nutritional standards as per NFSA 2023.
Compare the THRs / Dry Rations with global standards for similar supplementary nutrition products for young children and their alignment to the principles of complementary feeding.
For all the THR products / Dry Rations mapped as part of the study, also gather information from states / UTs of the current costs incurred by the state from production to distribution of the product.
To develop recommendations based on the mapping exercise to improve the quality of the THRs in a bid to improve complementary feeding practices as well as prevent stunting.
Provide case studies for the identified states with best THR products / efficient models of production to further understand practices which can be replicated across other states / UTs. (Minimum 3 states).
Deliverable plan (indicative, not all inclusive)
*At all stages of the study, the consultant is expected to work in close collaboration and guidance from WFP Country office staff and shall be available for meetings / discussions as per WFP’s requirements. The consultant is also expected to keep WFP staff updated on weekly basis regarding progress on data collection, analysis, challenges foreseen etc.
Data collection methodology:
STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION
Advance university degree in Nutrition, Public health, Management, Dietetics, or a related field.
EXPERIENCE
LANGUAGE
Fluency in spoken and written English and Hindi.
KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS:
CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS
WFP will not request payment at any stage of the recruitment process including at the offer stage. Any requests for payment should be refused and reported to local law enforcement authorities for appropriate action.
ABOUT WFP
The United Nations World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. The mission of WFP is to help the world achieve Zero Hunger in our lifetimes. Every day, WFP works worldwide to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry and that the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly women and children, can access the nutritious food they need.
PROJECT BACKGROUND
The Take Home Rations (THR) are a key component of the Anganwadi services scheme (formerly Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)) scheme in India, which provides supplementary nutrition to children, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers in vulnerable sections of society. Under this initiative, THR includes a variety of food items, such as cereals, pulses, and fortified products, designed to address malnutrition and improve the nutritional status of beneficiaries. These rations are distributed through Anganwadi centers to supplement the dietary intake of children under six years of age, as well as pregnant and breastfeeding women.
The THR program aims to reduce the incidence of undernutrition and stunting by providing nutritionally balanced food that is tailored to meet the specific needs of these target groups. The food is typically distributed in the form of ready-to-eat rations or dry food items that can be cooked at home. Additionally, the scheme promotes community involvement and ensures that nutrition reaches the most disadvantaged areas of the country, especially rural and remote regions. The success of the THR initiative is crucial in combating India's ongoing challenges of malnutrition, contributing significantly to the nation's efforts to improve health and nutrition outcomes.
As per a recent guideline, issued by the Ministry of Women and Child Development dated 03.12.2021, all states must ensure that, Take Home Rations (not raw ration) must conform to technical and nutritional standards set by MoWCD. Further, vide communication dated 29.06.2021, it was clarified that, “raw ration” as Take-home ration is not permissible under rules and guidelines and that, Take-home ration (THR) as defined under the National Food Security Act 2013, is not to be misconstrued as “raw ration”. Thereby, essentially stressing that, THR should be provided as a ready-to-cook or ready-to-eat product, procured / produced through use of village communities, self-help groups and Mahila Mandals (Supreme Court, 2004).
National Food Security Act, 2023:
The introduction of the National Food Security Act (NFSA) 2023 norms marks a significant shift in India’s approach to ensuring food and nutrition for its vulnerable populations, including children, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers. Under the NFSA, the government has outlined specific guidelines to improve the quality and delivery of food and nutrition services under schemes like Anganwadi services scheme. These norms emphasize the provision of nutritious, quality food, aiming to combat malnutrition and improve overall health outcomes. The alignment of THR with NFSA 2023 norms is critical in addressing the rising concerns of malnutrition and food insecurity across India.
In a recent development (April 2025), the Ministry of Women and Child Development has also issued an advisory to State and UTs counterparts on use of sugar, salt, preservatives, colours, flavours etc in supplementary nutrition. (Link to view: Advisory .pdf)
With this study, WFP aims to contract services of a consultant to critically review the supplementary nutrition programme (SNP) of Anganwadi services scheme, especially Take-Home Rations (THR) and map the different models for its production, recipe combinations for THR distributed across the states and UTs and assess their adherence to recently released NFSA 2023 norms as well as similar other global norms for products meant for infants and young children.
WFP has a zero-tolerance approach to conduct such as fraud, sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to WFP’s standards of conduct and will therefore undergo rigorous background verification internally or through third parties. Selected candidates will also be required to provide additional information as part of the verification exercise. Misrepresentation of information provided during the recruitment process may lead to disqualification or termination of employment.
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REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
WFP is committed to supporting individuals with disabilities by providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process. If you require a reasonable accommodation, please contact: global.inclusion@wfp.org
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REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION
We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete, and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, language skills and UN Grade (if applicable).
Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application.
Please make sure you upload your professional CV in the English language
Kindly note the only documents you will need to submit at this time are your CV and Cover Letter
Additional documents such as passport, recommendation letters, academic certificates, etc. may potentially be requested at a future time
Please contact us at global.hrerecruitment@wfp.org in case you face any challenges with submitting your application
Only shortlisted candidates will be notified
All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.