ASPIRES is a USAID funded development project through Michigan State University(MSU) that seeks to engage the Government of Tanzania, the private sector and civil society stakeholder in a program of applied policy analysis, policy outreach, capacity building, and promotion on policy coordination. ASPIRES goal is to accelerate the adoption in Tanzania of more effectively building, and programs to drive broad-based agricultural sector growth to improve household food security and nutrition and reduce poverty

Among ASPIRES supported activities is nutrition polity, ASPIRES contribution towards Tanzania’s nutrition landscape will focus on improving the quality and effectiveness of nutrition policy while providing technical support to institutions implementing nutrition policy and programs in Tanzania

ASPIRES will collaborate with Government Sectors including Prime Minister’s Office(PMO), President’s Office-Regional Administration and Local Government(PO-RALG), Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children(MOHCDGEC); Ministry of Agriculture(MoA); Tanzania Food and Nutrition Centre(TFNC) and Nutrition Services Unit to scale up implementation of the National Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Action Plan(NMNAP) (2016/17-2021/2022) and enhance data and information; and nutrition coordination and governance

Nutrition Research Specialist(NRS) Position

The NRS will report to the Head of Sub Office-ASPIRES Dodoma, and receive technical guidance from the Senior Nutrition Specialist. The NRS will support research and knowledge management in nutrition including integration of nutrition in agriculture and food systems. He/she will also support PO-RALG Nutrition Section in the implementation of various nutrition activities. This position is based at the ASPIRES sub-office in Dodoma. However, frequent field research travels should be expected

Essential Duties

Specific duties and responsibilities include (but not limited to) the following

·         Conduct literature review and provide research assistance on the linkages among agriculture, nutrition, health, gender, and equity.

·         Assist in creating and managing knowledge products such as blogs for guiding awareness and capacity of researchers about gender and equity issues in partner institutions, including CGIAR centers

·         Assist research teams and the program management unit to document, evaluate and learn from research outcomes and impacts.

·         Assist in providing technical assistance for integrating  gender and equity in A4MNH project, including the development of quantitative and qualitative research protocols, instruments and documentation

·         Work closely with PO-RALG Nutrition section in Dodoma on implementation of various nutrition activities including organizing and attending relevant meetings

·         Support eh commissioning and management of external evaluations

·         Assist in the planning and coordination of meetings, workshops, and events

·         Contribute to proposal and to reports

·         Disseminate information about A4NH’s work to external and internal audiences.

Qualifications

·         A minimum of a Masters Degree in a relevant discipline – Nutrition, Economics, Agricultural Economics, Public health, Epidemiology and other related fields

·         A minimum of 3 years relevant post-Masters experience

·         Good knowledge of policy analysis and the conceptual understanding of multi-sectoral approach to nutrition development

·         Understanding of Tanzania’s policy of food security and nutrition, scaling up Nutrition(SUN) movement as well as the NMNAP and nutrition-sensitive agricultural development

·         Demonstrated skills in quantitative and qualitative research methods and data analysis

·         Experience with STATA, SPSS, and other statistical software

·         Fluency in written and spoken English

·         Excellent writing skills and ability to prepare presentations, including text and graphics

·         Excellent interpersonal skills along with the ability to work independently and with colleagues from diverse cultural backgrounds

·         Having knowledge of GoT institutions involved in Nutrition such as TFNC, PO-RALG, MOHCDGEC, MoA, SUA, etc would be an added advantage

·         Ability to work with minimal supervision

Qualified candidates should make an application including a brief CV, one-page statement of purpose and 2 academic references