Nutrition Specialist at the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF)

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfil their potential. Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Nutrition Specialist, P-3

Job Number: 522305
Location: Maiduguri, Borno
Work Type : Temporary Appointment - 364 days

How can you make a difference?

• Under the direct supervision of the Nutrition Manager, Nutrition Specialist supports the development and preparation of the nutrition program/s and is responsible for managing, implementing, monitoring, evaluating and reporting of progress of the nutrition programs/projects within the assigned geographic areas under Maiduguri field office.
• S/He will provide technical guidance and management support throughout the programming processes to facilitate the administration and achievement of concrete and sustainable results in maternal, infant and child nutrition programs/projects according to plans, budget allocation, results based-management approaches and methodology (RBM) and UNICEF's Strategic Plans, standards of performance and accountability framework in emergency context.

Support to program/project development and planning:

• Support/contribute towards emergency nutrition updates/reporting for designated geographical areas within Borno and Yobe state to ensure timely collection and analyses of data in order to monitor progress against targets, guide programme development, and management.
• Participate in strategic program discussions on the planning of emergency nutrition programs/activities.
• Establish specific goals, objectives, strategies and implementation plans for the assigned geographical area based on results-based planning terminology and methodology (RBM). Prepare required documentations for program review and approval.
• Work closely and collaboratively with internal and external colleagues and partners to discuss strategies and methodologies, ensure programme convergence, and to determine national priorities/competencies to ensure the achievement of concrete and sustainable results.
• Provide technical and operational support throughout all stages of programming processes and to ensure integration, coherence and harmonization of programs/projects with other UNICEF sectors and achievement of results as planned and allocated.
• Ensure nutrition programme convergence, specifically addressing WASH and Health, for all planning activities.

Program management, monitoring and delivery of results:

• Contribute towards the development and/or updating of UNICEFs nutrition emergency response plan for respective coverage areas within Maiduguri Field office with active participation from partners/stakeholders.
• Ensure active reporting against the implementation of the emergency response plan for designated geographical areas.
• Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, program reviews and annual reviews with government and other counterparts to assess progress and to determine required action/interventions to achieve results at a state level.
• Prepare/assess monitoring and evaluation reports to identify gaps, strengths/weaknesses in program and management, identify lessons learned and use knowledge gained for development planning and timely intervention to achieve goals.
• Assess and monitor trends in the nutrition situation of children, women and vulnerable populations, and identify core advocacy concerns.
• Actively monitor programs/projects through field visits to priority areas, surveys and/or exchange of information with partners/stakeholders to assess progress, identify bottlenecks and potential problems. Provide assistance to the teams as requested/required and take timely decisions to resolve issues and/or refer to relevant officials for timely resolution.
• Monitor and verify the optimum/appropriate use of sectoral program resources (financial, administrative and other assets) confirming compliance with organizational rules, regulations/procedures and donor commitments, standards of accountability and integrity and ensuring timely reporting and liquidation of resources.
• Review routine and survey data on nutrition determine need for an in- depth nutritional assessment and/or survey in affected regions.
• Prepare regular/mandated program/project reports for management, donors and partners to keep them informed of program progress.
• Ensure strong participation in technical working group and coordination meeting. Develop sectoral work plans with the active participation of other Nutrition partners to ensure achievement of programme objectives. Track the progress in implementation and address bottlenecks and issues impeding sector response.
• Ensure emergency programme convergence, specifically with Health and Wash sections.

Technical and operational support to program implementation:

• Provide technical guidance and operational support to government counterparts, I/NGO partners, UN system partners and other stakeholders in the delivery of a comprehensive package of nutrition services as per national/international standards.
• Provide technical support for the development of guidelines and standards in relation to maternal and child health & nutrition.
• Develop strategies and implementation frameworks in consultation with key partners such as UN partners, government and I/NGO partners.
• Contribute to the preparation of situation analysis updates, sectoral reviews, preparation of programme, funding proposals and donor reports. Make sure that interventions meet quality standards, in terms of clear goals definition, appropriate strategic choices and concrete results to be achieved in line with the CCC. Suggest corrective measures if required.
• Draft policy papers, briefs and other strategic program materials for management use, information and/or consideration.
• Participate in emergency preparedness initiatives program development and contingency planning as required under FO.

Networking and partnership building:

• Build and sustain effective close working partnerships with nutrition sector government counterparts, national stakeholders and global partners/allies/donors/academia through active networking, advocacy and effective communication to build capacity and exchange knowledge/expertise to facilitate the achievement of program goals and social justice and equity for the rights of mothers, new born and children.
• Prepare communication and information materials for FO advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnership/alliances and support fund raising for nutrition programs (maternal, newborn and child survival and development).
• Participate in relevant inter-agency/coordination discussions and planning on nutrition and related issues to collaborate with inter-agency partners/colleagues on planning and preparation of nutrition programs/projects ensuring organizational position, interests and priorities are fully considered and integrated.

Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building:

• Apply/introduce innovative approaches and good practice to build the capacity of partners and stakeholders and to support the implementation and delivery of concrete and sustainable program results.
• Keep abreast, research, benchmark and implement best and cutting-edge practices in nutrition management and information systems. Assess, institutionalize and share best practices and knowledge learned.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of policies and procedures to ensure optimum efficiency and efficacy of sustainable programs and projects.
• Organize and implement capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders to promote sustainable results on health related programs/projects.

Requirements
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have...

• Education: An Advanced University Degree or higher in Nutrition, Public Health, Nutritional Epidemiology, Global/International Health and Nutrition, Health/Nutrition Research, Policy and/or Management, or other health related science field is required.
• Experience: A minimum of five years of professional experience in nutrition, public health, related research or planning and management in relevant areas of maternal, infant and child nutrition, at the international level some of which preferably in a humanitarian situation is required. Recent experience in Nutrition in Emergency programmes including CMAM, IYCF, and nutrition surveys.
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

• UNICEF's core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

The competencies required for this post are:
Core competencies:

• Communication (II)
• Working with people (II)
• Drive for results (II)

Functional Competencies:

• Leading and supervising (I)
• Formulating strategies and concepts (II)
• Analyzing (III)
• Relating and networking (II)
• Deciding and Initiating action (II)
• Applying technical expertise (III)

View our competency framework at:
http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

Application Closing Date
23:55:00 GMT+0100 (West Africa Standard Time); 27th May, 2019.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note

• UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.
• UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.