JOB TITLE: NUTRITIONIST (JONGEI AND UPPER NILE)
TYPE OF CONTRACT: International Consultant (Level CST-2) CST ll
UNIT/DIVISION: NUTRITION
DUTY STATION (City, Country): Bor, South Sudan
DURATION: 11 Months (renewal subject to performance and funding availability)
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:
South Sudan remains one of the most complex and protracted humanitarian crises globally, driven by recurrent conflict, displacement, climate-related shocks, economic instability, and limited access to basic services. These drivers have contributed to widespread food insecurity and alarmingly high levels of malnutrition. According to the 2025 Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), over 7 million people are estimated to be acutely food insecure, and malnutrition rates in many counties remain above emergency thresholds.
Jonglei and Upper Nile States are among the most affected by these shocks. Years of subnational violence, flooding, poor infrastructure, and weak health systems have disrupted livelihoods, displaced populations, and undermined access to essential services including health and nutrition. In addition to ongoing internal challenges, the spillover effects of the Sudan crisis have significantly impacted South Sudan, particularly in border areas like Renk and parts of Upper Nile and Jonglei States since April 2023. The convergence of high morbidity, poor dietary intake, food insecurity, and suboptimal child feeding practices continues to fuel high levels of acute malnutrition—particularly among children under five and pregnant and Breastfeeding women (PBW).
WFP’s Country Strategic Plan (CSP) 2023–2026 provides a framework for delivering life-saving nutrition assistance while supporting resilience, system strengthening, and national capacity. In partnership with government institutions, UN agencies, Academia and NGOs, WFP implements both nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive interventions. These include treatment and prevention of moderate acute malnutrition (MAM), blanket supplementary feeding for vulnerable groups, social behavior changes (SBCSBC), and community-level outreach. Interventions are aligned with national priorities, including the South Sudan National Nutrition Policy (2024-2034), and the Health Sector Strategic Plan.
Jonglei and Upper Nile are priority states for WFP nutrition programming due to their persistently high rates of global acute malnutrition (GAM), displacement, and limited institutional presence. The Nutritionist will play a vital role in ensuring the quality, coordination, and effective implementation of WFP-supported nutrition activities in these states. The position also contributes to systems-building efforts, including government capacity strengthening, multi-sectoral coordination, and community engagement.
Under the direct supervision of the Head of Field Office, with the Functional Supervisor as Head of Human Capital Development, the incumbent will be responsible for ensuring quality implementation of the nutrition interventions in Jonglei and Upper Nile States. Working directly with the nutrition focal points and Field office head of programme , the FO Nutritionist will be responsible for all nutrition programming in the two foresaid States. Key responsibilities include:
ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:
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Provide overall technical support and guidance for all nutrition programmes implemented in Jonglei, and Upper Nile states
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Oversee the emergency nutrition response (Jonglei and Sudan crisis) in the two states, including planning, FLA development, implementation and coordination.
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Strengthen the technical capacity of WFP programme staff and Cooperating partners in the management and implementation of the nutrition response.
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Assist WFP FO and partners to develop operational and implementation plans, estimate beneficiary caseloads and commodity requirements.
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Coordinate with the HCD team at country office level as well as with logistics at field office level to ensure efficient delivery and last mile provision of nutrition supplies.
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Support the organization of state level nutrition related coordination forums, working groups, technical meetings, and training activities.
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Support the implementation of Community‑based Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) and Maternal Infant and Young Child Nutrition (MIYCN) activities at state level.
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Strengthen the technical, managerial and coordination capacity of the State MOH
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Enhance efficiency and effectiveness of the network of Community Nutrition Volunteers (CNVs)in active case finding, referral and follow up as well as community mobilization and sensitization.
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Ensure national and WFP nutrition policies, standards and guidelines are applied in WFP-supported nutrition projects to ensure quality programmes.
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Facilitate coordination and continued liaison with UN agencies and with NGOs at state level for effective delivery of the nutrition response activities.
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Provide technical assistance for nutrition and HIV&AIDS assessments organized at state level.
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Ensure routine monitoring and reporting on the nutrition activities at state level.
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Support Food and Nutrition Security Monitoring System (FNSMS), Standardized Expanded Nutrition Surveys (SENS), and Joint Assessment Missions (JAM) process at national and field level.
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Be flexible to accommodate additional tasks as required.
DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT:
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Weekly nutrition update on the Jonglei and Sudan crisis response and regular nutrition activities in the two states.
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Refresher trainings/orientation sessions on CMAM, BSFP and IFP implementation to Cooperating Partners (CPs) and WFP Field Office (FO) staff for Bor, Malakal, Renk, Pibor, and Maban FO
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Quarterly review of CMAM, BSFP and IFP implementation undertaken for Bor, Malakal, Renk, Pibor and Maban FO
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Operational plan needs for Upper Nile and Jonglei States are updated.
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Field Level Agreement proposals submitted by the partners are technically reviewed and cleared timely according to WFP guidelines
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A bi-weekly touch base meetings organized with Field Office Focal Points and Alternates in for Bor, Malakal, Renk, Pibor and Maban FO
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Sub national contingency and floods response plan for Bor, Malakal, Renk, Pibor and Maban FO
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Quarterly field monitoring and supervision per each Field Office
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Monthly field mission reports including the recommendations for the improvement
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Issues raised by the third-party monitoring (TPM) are addressed and concluded as evidenced in the TPM feedback action plan for Bor, Malakal, Renk, Pibor and Maban FO
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Weekly TDD/BUB (funding) status update shared to for Bor, Malakal, Renk, Pibor and Maban FO
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NFRs, amendments and addendum to Field Level Agreements (FLAs) reviewed as needed
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CP payment and invoice tracker for Bor, Malakal, Renk Pibor, and Maban FOs is developed and updated monthly.
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FNSMS/SENS and JAM training on nutrition component undertaken are supported
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Rationalization exercise per FO is discussed and recommendation are shared with the National Nutrition Cluster
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Weekly update for USAID and CERF supported projects are provided
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
Education:
Advanced University degree in Nutrition, Public Health, Food Technology, Medicine or another relevant field.
Experience:
A minimum of 5 years of postgraduate progressive international experience in implementation of emergency nutrition programmes in complex emergencies and/or hardship setting is required.
Experience in working in public health and nutrition related activities in field-based settings
Proven end-to-end implementation of CMAM components and MIYCN interventions in humanitarian contexts is required.
Practical experience planning, supervising, and analyzing nutrition/food security assessments, including at least one of: FNSMS, SENS, or JAM; ability to translate findings into programme adjustments.
Knowledge & Skills:
Strong analytical skills and ability to conceptualize complex nutrition issues, analyse data, produce thorough reports and policy recommendations.
Strong initiative, coordination skills and ability to effectively lead nutrition programmes in deep field locations.
Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel
Languages:
Fluency in oral and written English, working knowledge of Arabic is an added advantage
Interested individuals can apply for the vacancy announcement by clicking below vacancy link. Apply before the elapse of the deadline of 11 April 2026.
External Link: Click Here
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In case you experience any challenges in applying for this position and you need support, please contact [email protected]