Organizational Setting

The main aim of FAO Country Office, headed by the FAO Representative, is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition; to help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors; and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner. FAO Kyrgyzstan assists the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic to develop policies, programmes and projects to address the root causes of hunger and malnutrition, to develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors and to use environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner. FAO participates in the development and implementation of field projects in the sectors of food security, agriculture and rural development. This requires the integration within the broader framework of sustainable food and agriculture that aims at increasing production and productivity, addressing climate change, and managing natural resources; and enhance rural livelihoods. 
In this context, FAO is implementing in collaboration with the Ministry of Education of the Kyrgyz Republic the TCP/KYR/4008 project “Assessment and improvement of institutional framework on school nutrition”. The project aims to strengthen quality and safety of Kyrgyz school nutrition system and improved knowledge and skills of school students on environmentally friendly production throughout conducting policy analysis and drafting arrangement for the institutional and policy framework for school nutrition system (Component 1); and establishing a demonstration site in a pilot school for dissemination of advanced methods and innovative technologies in agriculture and crop cultivation skills to senior students and staff (Component 2).

Reporting Lines

The National Expert on Institutional Policy Support for Nutrition will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in the Kyrgyz Republic, and under the technical supervision of the project LTO, and working closely with the national project coordinators and the project teams.

Technical Focus

Support the conduct of a qualitative review and analysis of institutional system on school nutrition, updating school gardening and sanitary rules in line with international practices and EAEU Technical regulations.

Tasks and responsibilities

•     Conduct a qualitative review of the current institutional system on school nutrition, focusing on existing policies, and strategies, following an approach as discussed and agreed;
•     Provide technical support in facilitating and moderating the consultation meetings (one-to-one or in groups), workshops, interviews to analyze policy gaps in school nutrition system, documenting key points and feedback;
•     Based on policy gap analysis, prepare the draft of updated versions of following documents that should be addressed to improve the institutional framework for school nutrition as well as identify gaps, overlaps, and areas where existing policies do not address the needs of the school nutrition system:
o    Regulation on the Organization of School Farms, 
o    and the Sanitary Rules and Controls on food safety for school meals;
•     Support to prepare necessary materials, findings and recommendations and present draft of updated versions of Regulation on the Organization of School Farms; and the Sanitary rules and Controls on food safety for school meals during 1-day workshop, to receive the agreement of the relevant stakeholders;
•     After receiving input and comments of the relevant stakeholders, prepare the final version of drafts of Regulation on the Organization of School Farms, and the Sanitary Rules and Controls on food safety for school meals;
•     Perform any other tasks as required by the project.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements    

•     University degree in agriculture, food production, food catering and processing technology, food control and food safety, food chain management, law and economics or related field (Masters/PhD is advantage);
•     At least 5 years of relevant experience in one or more areas related to development of policy analysis, rules and regulations, guidelines and recommendations in the field of food production and processing technology, school nutrition and food control and food safety management system, food chain and supply management, working with analysis within EAEU technical regulations and international practices etc.
•     Working knowledge of Russian and Kyrgyz. 
•     National of the Kyrgyz Republic or resident of the country with a valid work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•     Proven communication skills, with governmental authorities, national and international experts, and local communities.
•     Systematic and efficient approach to work assignments, good judgment, and analytical ability.
•     Working experience with ministries and national institutions in Kyrgyzstan.
•     Sound knowledge of EAEU technical regulations and international practices on agriculture, food production, food catering and processing technology, food control and food safety, food chain management.
•     Strong computer skills, in particular mastery of all applications of the MS Office package and internet search.
•     Ability to organize and facilitate technical meetings, conferences and workshops.

Selection Criteria

•     Experience on working with government institutions and staff 
•     Quality of both oral and written communication skills.
•     Knowledge of English is preferable.