Technical Officer, Malnutrition and Food Systems

PAHO; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

PAHO in Washington, DC seeks a senior nutrition policy expert to advance nutrition, healthy diets and sustainable food systems across the Americas, supporting Member States in evidence-based policy development and program implementation.

The role provides technical guidance, builds partnerships with UN agencies and NGOs, strengthens surveillance and monitoring, and drives regional initiatives, resource mobilization, and policy representation.

Qualifications

• Seven years of combined national and international nutrition/public health experience.
• Bachelor's degree in nutrition or related health science from a recognized university.
• Desirable: master's degree in nutrition or public health.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical support to Member States for nutrition policies and programs.
• Strengthen country capacity for nutrition surveillance, monitoring and evaluation.
• Contribute to regional initiatives, partnerships, policy development, and resource mobilization.

Skills

Nutrition policy

Public health

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in nutrition or health science

Master's degree in nutrition/public health or related field

Tools

ERP systems

MS Excel

MS PowerPoint

Job description

Organizational context: The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) serves as the Regional Office for the Americas of the World Health Organization (WHO).

Job purpose: To advance nutrition, healthy diets, and sustainable food systems across the Americas, contributing to the prevention and control of all forms of malnutrition and supporting Member States in developing evidence-based policies and programs.

Responsibilities

• Responsibilities: Provide technical support and cooperation to Member States in developing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating policies, plans and programs for the prevention and control of all forms of malnutrition and the promotion of optimal nutrition. Deliver technical and programmatic advice on nutrition, healthy diets, obesity prevention, and food systems. Strengthen country capacity for nutrition surveillance, monitoring and evaluation. Support Member States in implementing school-based policies and initiatives that promote healthy eating and physical activity. Develop and strengthen partnerships with UN agencies, NGOs, academic institutions, and other stakeholders. Contribute to regional initiatives, resource mobilization, policy development, and representation in technical meetings.

Education

• Essential: A bachelor's degree in nutrition or other health science related to the functions of the post from a recognized university.
• Desirable: A master's degree in nutrition, public health, a social science or related field from a recognized university.

Work experience

• Essential: Seven years of combined national and international experience in nutrition, public health, public policy, or social determinants of health and sustainable food systems.
• Desirable: Practical experience working in public health projects at the international level in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Skills

• Strong technical expertise in nutrition and public health, including food and nutrition policies addressing all forms of malnutrition and sustainable food systems. Ability to design, implement, monitor and evaluate nutrition policies, programs and interventions. Capacity to negotiate, coordinate and build partnerships. Strong analytical, conceptual and problem-solving skills. Excellent organizational and project management skills. Strong professional oral and written communication skills. Ability to work collaboratively, promote knowledge sharing, adapt to change and deliver high-quality results in multicultural environments. Demonstrated ability to effectively use current technology and software, including spreadsheets, presentations, ERP and management information systems.

Required languages

• Fluency in English or Spanish with working knowledge of the other language.

Desired languages

• Knowledge of French and/or Portuguese.