Giorgia Paiella

Deputy Regional Director - Micronutrient Initiative

Summary
A Public Health, Nutrition and Food Security expert with over 15 years of experience developing and delivering
Public Health Nutrition Programs and Policies for International NGOs and United Nation Agencies (FAO,
UNICEF, WFP, WHO).

Broad and deep experience in global health interventions in the developing world gained from the design and
delivery of major public health and nutrition programs in the field (Burundi, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia,
Mali, Malawi, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines), including advocacy, programming, training, monitoring and
evaluation, product development, as well as food safety, analysis, market shaping and distribution.

An experienced team manager\leader having lead teams of 10+ people in Policy & Research, Intervention
Strategy & Planning, and Implementation of major Public Health, Nutrition and Food Security Initiatives.

Hard working, focused, and passionate about Global Health and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) as
it concerns children/women and the achievement of social equality and inclusion.

Experience
Deputy Regional Director at Micronutrient Initiative
July 2016 - Present (9 months)

Public Health Nutrition Specialist at World Health Organization

January 2014 - October 2014 (10 months)
Assessed the situation of Severe Acute Malnutrition in the Yolanda Hurricane affected regions and identified
critical gaps.

Built local capacity on the management of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) and Moderate Acute
Malnutrition (MAM) at hospital and community levels (CMAM).

Reviewed and updated training manuals on the Management of SAM and MAM.

Supported the Ministry of Health (MoH) in organizing and conducting training courses on the Management
of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) for Medical Doctors and Nurses working in the pediatric wards of
Referral and District Hospitals.

Page1
 Developed a nutrition strategy for the WHO Country Office and the Ministry of Health (MoH) on addressing
critical gaps, with focus on the Management of Severe and Moderate Acute Malnutrition.

Provided technical guidance to the Nutrition Cluster in Manila and in the relevant hubs in the hurricane
affected areas.

Planned and conducted a WHO Disability Assessment Survey (WHO DAS) in the most affected
Municipalities of Region VIII.

Supported the Ministry of Health (MoH) in the formulation and implementation of strategies and policies
for the prevention and control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and related risk factors, diabetes,
cancers, mental/neurological disorders, by raising priority accorded to NCDs through national cooperation
and advocacy.

Strengthened the collaboration of key partners (MoH, Donors, NGOs, UN Agencies) working on the
prevention and control of NCDs and related risk factors, mental and substance abuse disorders, and
promotion of optimal nutrition.

Public Health Nutrition Specialist at World Health Organization

May 2013 - December 2013 (8 months)
Developed National Strategies and Policies on Clinical Nutrition and Public Health.

Provided technical support to the MoH Nutrition Unit for the implementation of the following programs:

Management of Moderate and Severe Acute Malnutrition

Scale up Multiple Micronutrient Powder Supplementation for children 6-24 months
Weekly Iron + Folic Acid Supplementation for Women of Reproductive Age
Management of Infant Feeding and HIV/AIDS for Paediatricians and Nurses
Behavior Change Communication Strategies
Communication for Behavioral Impact (COMBI) activities
National Code of Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes (Sub-Decree133)

Supported and coordinated with national authorities and multi-sectoral partners in the development,
implementation and evaluation of National Strategies, Policies and Plans for Health Promotion, including
Healthy Diet and Physical Activity Programs.

Built capacity of the Ministry of Health (MoH) staff in order to ensure effective planning, implementation,
monitoring and evaluation of Public Health Programs.

Page2
Nutrition Specialist at UNICEF
May 2008 - December 2011 (3 years 8 months)
Conducted technical, quality and safety evaluations of nutrition products. Prepared technical specifications
for nutrition items procured by UNICEF Supply Division.

Provided support to UNICEF Country Offices in review of requirements for supply of nutrition products.
Prepared technical guidance use of nutrition products in emergencies.

Expanded supplier base - communicated with suppliers on UNICEF technical and quality requirements.

Delivered guidance to UNICEF Country and Regional Offices on the Management of Severe and Moderate
Malnutrition, covering the technical, quality and safety aspects of Ready to Use Food (RUF) Products.

Supported the creation of anthropometric tools, to improve the nutritional assessment of children under 5.

Consultant at World Food Programme

April 2007 - April 2008 (1 year 1 month)
Supported WFP School Feeding programs through a fundraising campaign involving civil and cultural
organisations, such as Torino citt capitale Europea, Teatro Regio, Unione Musicale, Associazione Lingotto.

Consultant - Gender Unit at FAO

December 2006 - March 2007 (4 months)
Integrated and mainstreamed gender in FAO nutrition activities by enhancing focus on gender as essential
component to nutrition and food security.

Produced Information Products (IP) and documentation covering the role of rural women in food security and
supported the technical development of the Gender and Food Security Website.

Conducted a review of relevant literature and case studies on rural women status in developing countries.

Consultant - FIVIMS Unit at FAO

April 2006 - August 2006 (5 months)
Established a multi-sourced, searchable database on Food Insecurity and Vulnerability (FIV).

Embedded best practices for the provision of information on FIV and its application to reducing food
insecurity in developing countries, including the establishing of standards for FIV assessments.

Improved the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of information networks on Food Insecurity and
Vulnerability (FIV).

Page3
Consultant - School Feeding Service at World Food Programme
October 2005 - March 2006 (6 months)
Produced a database of the micronutrient needs and interventions targeting school children.

Prepared a comprehensive review of the micronutrient needs of school-age children, classifying the needs and
the most affected countries, included a bibliography of the micronutrient interventions set up in schools.

Carried out field visits in East African countries (Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe) in order to assess the status of
school feeding programs supported by WFP.

Public Health Nutrition Specialist at World Health Organization

July 2002 - July 2004 (2 years 1 month)
Conducted National and Regional training courses on the management of Severe and Moderate Malnutrition,
Infant Feeding and HIV/AIDS for Pediatricians and Nurses.

Developed and Implemented Optimal Infant & Young Child Feeding Practices (IYCF), as well as Food
Safety Practices.

Worked with National Nutrition Task Force to ensure standardization and technical quality of Nutritional
Surveillance Methods and produced Guidelines for Supplementary and Therapeutic Feeding Centers.

Worked with key partners (MoH, NGOs, Donors) to set five years priorities for Public Health Nutrition
programming in Malawi.

Prepared proposals to mobilize resources to continue and expand WHO Public Health and Nutrition Projects.

Represented WHO (Nutrition Unit) in meetings with Malawi Government, NGOs and International Donor
Agencies.

Global Program Manager at International Medical Corps

January 1999 - January 2001 (2 years 1 month)
Emergency Health Intervention among Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons in Rural Burundi.
Responsible for management and implementation of the relief assistance (food and non-food items) for
Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

Provided logistic\scientific support to the Ministry of Health Central Pharmacy for 15 provinces.

Computerized the inventory of stock at the Central Pharmacy and set-up training programs for MoH staff.

Page4
 Developed a system for management and tracking of drugs and supplies for provisional hospitals.

Represented IMC in meetings, workshops and seminars for the development of new MoH drug policies.

Preparation of proposals for funding from international agencies to continue and expand IMC Public Health
and Nutrition Projects.

Monitored and evaluated the WASH and Infrastructure Aspects of the IMC Country Programme.
Coordinated at a senior level with National WASH Infrastructure Authorities and NGOs.
Promoted best practice in the WASH programmes and contributed to the overall management of the country
programme.

Represented IMC in meetings with Burundian Government, NGOs and Donor Agencies.

Program Officer at UNICEF

January 1996 - January 1998 (2 years 1 month)
Implemented UNICEF community health and nutrition programs, improving access to health care and drug
supply in rural and remote areas of Nepal.

Trained Medical Doctors and Nurses on the management of Severe and Moderate Malnutrition at hospital and
community levels.

Implementation of anemia control activities as part of the Safe Motherhood Initiative.

Worked with Government, NGOs, UN agencies to develop and implement improved Infant & Young Child
Feeding Practices, as well as optimal Food Safety Practices.

Assessed the status of the UN Baby Friendly Initiative in 16 hospitals.

Implemented the Code of Conduct for weaning products.

Planned and conducted Vitamin A Supplementation + Polio vaccination campaigns in remote areas of Nepal.

Consultant at Futura System

January 1995 - October 1995 (10 months)
Ran training courses on use, maintenance and technical problem solving of laboratory diagnostic equipment.

Pharmacist at Europe Pharmacy

December 1993 - December 1994 (1 year 1 month)
Counselled patients on the use of medicines to improve patient compliance to limit misuse of drugs.
Preparation of pharmaceutical products in laboratory, pharmacy stock management.

Page5
Researcher at National Institute for Research on Food and Nutrition
November 1992 - November 1993 (1 year 1 month)
Member of a team of nutritionists and physicians, conducting anthropometric and health studies to map
malnutrition and the factors which affected it, for the population of Mali, to improve nutritional health
strategy. Managed field visits, designed and conducted dietary health questionnaires in remote areas of Mali.

Developed methods for densitometry analysis of body fluids, % body fat, and Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR).

Education
Harvard School of Public Health
Human Health and Global Environmental Change, 2013 - 2015
Fordham University, New York
International Diploma, Humanitarian Affairs, 2001 - 2001
University of Rome La Sapienza
MSc Course in Human Nutrition & Metabolism, 1992 - 1993
University of Rome La Sapienza
Laurea di Dottore in Farmacia, 1987 - 1992

Page6
Giorgia Paiella
Deputy Regional Director - Micronutrient Initiative

4 people have recommended Giorgia

"When Giorgia came to us as our Technical Offier for Nutrition, she quickly became a critical member of
the small team that revolutionised the procurement of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food - essential in the
fight against malnutrition in children. Responsible for both sourcing new suppliers and undertaking the
technical evaluation of bids, she was instrumental in multiplying the supplier base. This allowed us in 2011
for example to purchase 27,000 tonnes of RUTF and to cope easily with the vast scale of the Horn of Africa
crisis. She is very skilled, a good team player and would be an asset to any team involed in the fight against
malnutrtion."

Robert Bell, worked with Giorgia at UNICEF

"I had a pleasure of working with Giorgia at UNICEF Supply Division. She was extremely professional,
dedicated and hard working. Not only is she knowledgeable about nutrition, but she genuinely cares about
the people we served. I recommend her highly for any position requiring an experienced and professional
nutrition specialist."

Ayako Odashima, worked with Giorgia at UNICEF

"I feel privileged to recommend Giorgia for her nutrition skills. She is creative and hardworking,
enthousiastic and result oriented. She can set priorities and at the same time not loose sight of details. A
pleasure to teamwork!"

Cristina Lopriore, managed Giorgia at FAO

"Giorgia is a dedicated scientist with competence in a broad spectrum of nutrition issues as well as a solid
experience in managing field operations in nutrition. She is and extremely hard working person and a
delightful team member."

Francesco Branca, managed Giorgia indirectly at National Institute for Research on Food and Nutrition

Contact Giorgia on LinkedIn

Page7