Nutrition Field School Specialist

Position: Nutrition Field School Specialist
Closure Date: 05/Sep/2025, 3:44:00 AM
Organizational Unit: FANEP
Job Type: Non-staff opportunities
Type of Requisition: PSA (Personal Services Agreement)
Grade Level: N/A
Primary Location: Nepal-Kathmandu
Duration: 60 days spread over 3 months
Post Number: N/A

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device

FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.

• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO’s values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life, leaving no one behind.

FAO is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO’s goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 Members (194 countries and the European Union), FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.

FAO Country Offices, working under overall corporate guidance and in line with the Strategic Framework, offer policy advice and support to countries in the mandated areas of FAO, facilitated through partnerships, resources and an active country programme to provide technical assistance, develop capacities and deliver core services while fully observing international standards of accountability to establish leadership and strengthen impact at the country level.

The offices deliver on the programmatic priorities of each country as agreed in their respective Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs) aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and ensure effective and efficient operations with adequate human and financial resources.

Specifically, FAO Country Offices:

(i) advocate, inform and support policies and investments in the areas of FAO’s mandate.
(ii) provide technical assistance and deliver core services.
(iii) assist and catalyse partnership and resource mobilization activities to support agrifood systems transformation.
(iv) position FAO as the specialized/authoritative technical agency in food and agriculture and agrifood systems transformation.
(v) ensure risk-smart and accountable operations and management.

Given the socio-economic vulnerabilities exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, inflation, and climate-related stresses in the target area, the “Improved Food and Nutrition Security through Diversified Income Generation and Empowerment” project emphasizes inclusive, climate-resilient agricultural practices, community-led nutrition interventions, and institutional strengthening of Producer Organizations (POs).

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of FAOR and the direct supervision of AFAOR (Programme) and technical supervision of the FAO designated Technical Officer (LTO) in the FAO Regional Office in Bangkok and/or FAO HQ, close consultation and coordination FAO Nepal Programme and Admin team, and in coordination with the NACCFL designated project Coordinator and FAO Technical Assistance (TA) team, the National Consultant will have the overall responsibility of supporting and supervising the planning, implementation and management of activities related to adoption of climate resilient livestock and crop production technologies and agriculture production interventions, contributing to the outputs of all project components. He/she will supervise the activities and provide technical support to POs as per necessary.

Technical Focus

The Nutrition Field School (NFS) Specialist will be expected to work closely with and support the Programme team in delivery of country-level programmes, projects and interventions related to nutrition-sensitive agriculture, agroecology, and community-based resilience building. He/she will coordinate and support the implementation of ongoing NFS activities as well as the formulation and development of new project proposals contributing to this priority area. More specifically, she/he will contribute to capacity building, quality assurance, and technical backstopping of NFS implementation, including promotion of climate-adapted crops, nutrition-sensitive practices, inclusive participation, and household dietary diversity in line with priorities set forth by FAO Nepal’s Country Programme Framework (CPF) (2023–2027).

Tasks and responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Nepal and close coordination with Programme team of the FAO Representation in Nepal, the Nutrition Field School Specialist will perform following tasks:

Develop NFS Curriculum, Strategy and Planning

• Contribute to the development and refinement of the project’s NFS curriculum, strategy and implementation plan, including integration of agroecology, nutrition-sensitive agriculture, climate adaptation, and gender equality as per local context.
•  Identify priority nutrition sensitive crops, themes, and community needs through participatory assessments.

Capacity Building and Backstopping

•  Support in design/refinement and facilitation of Training of Facilitators (ToF) for local resource persons, field coordinators, and agriculture technicians, staff of municipalities, partner organization and Govt organizations of the Bardiya district.
• Provide technical backstopping and mentoring support to NFS facilitators during NFS cycle implementation.
•  Support team to organize capacity building training to the Government officials and technicians (local level extension workers) on climate change adaptations in nutrition sensitive agriculture.
•  Assist POs in implementation of Home/School nutrition gardens (H/SNGs), document the results of H/SNG on dietary diversity and consumption of nutritious food and income.
•  Assist POs to conduct on spot H/SNG training to members of nutrition groups and provide follow up support on seasonal vegetable production and backyard poultry/ duck rearing with the help of Pos.
•  Assist POs in the formation and mobilization of nutrition groups, conduct baseline, endline and other outcome surveys for tracking project achievements on nutrition.

Quality Assurance and Technical Oversight

•  Support in technical consistency and quality of the FFS sessions, curricula, and facilitation methods across project sites.
•  Support to review and standardize NFS training materials, IEC materials, guides, and modules based on national priorities and FAO standards.
•  Ensure consistency and quality in NFS sessions, methodologies, facilitation techniques, and learning materials across all target areas.
•  Support integration of key messages on maternal and child nutrition, WASH, food safety, and gender equality.
•  Assess the effectiveness of the BCC and nutrition education programme by visiting households and interacting with nutrition groups and farmer groups.
• Ensure that project-supported activities follow the appropriate code of practices for social and environmental safeguard, public health and food safety.

Monitoring, Documentation, and Learning

•  Develop and apply practical tools for monitoring NFS implementation, including progress tracking and outcome mapping.
• Document good practices, success stories, challenges, and lessons learned to support adaptive management and knowledge sharing.
•  Generate databases on nutrition sensitive crops and pests, pollinators, and other issues and cost benefit of good practices over local practices. Prepare report by collecting the data from Nutrition Field Schools.
• Prepare training reports, final reports and other reports as needed by the project.

Support Gender, Disable, Nutrition, and Inclusion

•  Ensure that NFS activities are inclusive, gender-sensitive, disable friendly and promote women’s empowerment, nutrition awareness, and youth participation.
•  Perform any other duties as assigned.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in Nutrition, Public Health, Food Security, Agriculture, or related field.
•  Minimum of 5 years of proven working experience in nutrition education, community-based nutrition, or food security programmes with relevant government agencies and/or non-profit organizations.
•  Fluency in written and spoken Nepali and English. (Knowledge of Tharu language is an asset.)
•  National of Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal or a resident of Nepal with a valid work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

•  Results Focus
  • Teamwork
  • Communication
  • Building Effective Relationships
  • Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

Competency and Experience in:

• Proven expertise in participatory training methods, community mobilization, and capacity building.
• Experience in designing or implementing Nutrition Field Schools, Farmer Nutrition Schools, or similar approaches.
• Familiarity with FAO’s tools, including nutrition-sensitive agriculture and participatory extension models.

Selection Criteria

•  Experience in designing and/or implementing Nutrition Field Schools (NFS), Farmer Nutrition Schools (FNS), or similar participatory approaches.
• Strong facilitation, mentoring, and adaptive learning skills.
•  Demonstrated commitment to community empowerment with particular focus on women, youth, and marginalized groups.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders and communities.
•  Willingness and ability to travel frequently to remote project sites for field implementation and backstopping.
•  Proven track record of documenting success stories, case studies, and lessons learned.
• Ability to work independently as well as within a multidisciplinary and multicultural team, with strong organizational and result-oriented approach.

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.

FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing).
• Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted.
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International
• Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/
• For other issues, visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances. Subject to certain exemptions, vaccination against COVID-19 will in principle be required. Vaccination status will be verified as part of the medical clearance process.

HOW TO APPLY

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
•  Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
•  Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
•  Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
•  Incomplete applications will not be considered
•  Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
•  Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
•  Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
•  We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance: https://fao.service-now.com/csp

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