National Consultant - Technical Experts to Review the Scientific Literature for the R3337 Draft Labelling Regulations, Pretoria, South Africa, 108 days (remote)

Under the supervision of the Nutrition Manager, the consultants will provide their technical expertise in research and evaluation of scientific studies in relation to the comments received to expedite the review process on the R3337 Draft Labelling Regulations. Consultants will work very closely with the National Department of Health, Food Control Directorate in executing their tasks and the deliverables. This will include briefing and consultative meetings with the technical managers within the Directorate and other stakeholders that the consultants may be required to engage with. They will be expected to perform the following tasks: • Evaluate the data/studies submitted as part of comments received from the publication of the draft regulations. • Determine if the data/ studies submitted are relevant and justify consideration when assessing the comments received. • Assist in providing evidence-based responses to the data/studies submitted.

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 fulfill their potential. 

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. 

And we never give up. 

For every child, NUTRITION.  

Health | UNICEF South Africa

UNICEF South Africa, there for every child. We believe that ensuring a child is happy and healthy begins before birth: from ensuring their mother has access to good health care to reaching adulthood as a healthy, empowered and informed young person of the next generation. This journey relies on every child having access to quality health care, good nutrition, education, and growing up in a safe environment free from violence.

Since 1995, South Africa has made substantial progress in transforming its health sector, making primary healthcare services available to millions who were previously denied access. Yet access to healthcare remains a challenge, with vital healthcare interventions not reaching the areas and people that need them.

South Africa’s HIV burden and vulnerability is complicated by high levels of malnutrition and obesity. More than a third of children under five are suffering from under-nutrition or are overweight. Food scarcity, feeding infrequency and a lack of dietary diversity are serious impediments to healthy levels of child nutrition.

How can you make a difference? 

The Health and Nutrition Section within UNICEF South Africa is providing technical support to the Department of Health with the finalization of the regulatory frameworks that seek to protect consumers, particularly children against the harmful food environment practices. The Department of Health, under section 15 (1) of the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act, 1972 (Act No.54 of 1972), published for public comment the Regulations Relating to the Labelling and Packaging of Foodstuffs (R3337 of 21 April 2023). Additional Technical staff are required to provide expertise in research and evaluation of scientific studies in relation to the comments received to expedite the review process on the R3337 Draft Labelling Regulations. At least 2 technical persons are required to assist the Department of Health with reviewing scientific literature on the comments received on the R3337 Draft Labelling Regulations. It is against this background that the services of technical experts are required to assist the government with finalization of the regulations.

Under the supervision of the Nutrition Manager the consultants will provide their technical expertise in research and evaluation of scientific studies in relation to the comments received to expedite the review process on the R3337 Draft Labelling Regulations.

This activity aligns with the annual workplan on transforming food systems so that they can work for children. The consultants will work very closely with the National Department of Health's Food Control Directorate in executing their tasks and the deliverables. This will include briefing and consultative meetings with the technical managers within the Directorate and other stakeholders that the consultants may be required to engage with.

The Consultants will be expected to perform the following tasks:

• Evaluate the data/studies submitted as part of comments received from the publication of the draft regulations.
• Determine if the data/ studies submitted are relevant and justify consideration when assessing the comments received.
• Assist in providing evidence-based responses to the data/studies submitted.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… 

• An advanced university degree (Masters or higher) in Nutrition, Dietetics, Public Health, medicine, or any relevant subject.
• Extensive experience and technical expertise in evaluation of nutrition and health related research studies.
• Project management from conceptualization to implementation, with an interest or experience in public health nutrition and food sciences related projects.
• Field experience in the South African health system is desirable. 
• At least five years of experience in reviewing scientific research studies, with specific reference to food and nutrition related studies.
• Understanding of the food and nutrition related policies and regulatory frameworks. 
• Excellent understanding and command of English at the native level.
• Plain English writing and editing skills.

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS). 

To view our competency framework, please visit  here. 

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment. 

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 be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check. 

Remarks:  

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. 

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.