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Nutrition Support Officer , Multiple positions

Kericho | Kenya

  • Organization: UNOPS - United Nations Office for Project Services
  • Location: Kericho | Kenya
  • Grade: Junior level - LICA-8, Local Individual Contractors Agreement
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Public Health and Health Service
    • Nutrition
  • Closing Date: Closed

Background Information - Job-specific

The Nutritional Support Officer (NSO), responds to the current policy and operating environment and nutrition situation, which has improved significantly since 2010 in the ASAL counties targeted by the NSO project, including Samburu and Turkana. The NSO will continue to play a significant role in positive developments in nutrition indicators, systems and processes.

With the support of UNICEF Nutrition Section, the NSO will be responsible for supporting the County Health Management Team, in particular the County Nutrition Coordinator, in the realization of County nutrition action plan objectives and priorities. His/her role will be internalized capacity embedded to support effective leadership and commitment of the County Health Management Team with an aim of   sustaining strengthened county systems. The post will be  based in the County Health Office.

Functional Responsibilities

1. Planning budgeting and strategy development:
  • Provide technical support to MOH and partners to develop sectorial plans.
  • Provide technical support to MOH and partners to develop sectorial plans
  • Effectively monitor and implement nutrition interventions in order to reach planned targets
  • Support county level budgetary process, which includes costing and tracking investment to nutrition
  • Assist in development and implementation of resource mobilisation strategies at county level
  • Support county level development of concepts and strategies that aim to address causes of malnutrition and effective and sustainable means to address them

2. Coordination mechanisms:

  • Facilitate establishment and maintenance of appropriate coordination mechanisms including, steering committees and working groups to coordinate and guide the nutrition sector  response plans, operations and related activities at  county level.
  • Support  County Nutrition Officer to secure commitments from partners   for  collective  sector work, ensuring the complementarities of the various stake holder’s actions in responding to nutrition priorities. 

3. Technical expertise /Capacity building:

  • Provide technical leadership and capacity support to Ministry of Health, partners and other key stakeholders in the modelling and delivery of nutrition services in line with the County Nutrition Action Plan
  • Support the application/ implementation and adherence to existing policies, strategies, standards and guidelines, and ensure their availability and understanding at the county level
  • Support county level capacity development efforts including capacity and skills mapping for human resources
  • Where possible, support streamlined capacity development and system strengthening strategies at the county level
  • Support implementation of community health strategy in collaboration with the CHMT, in order to ensure stronger linkage between facility and community level nutrition activities for improved uptake of nutrition services.  
  • Support the application/ implementation and adherence to existing policies, strategies, standards and guidelines, and ensure their availability and understanding at the county level Support county level capacity development efforts including capacity and skills mapping for human resources.
  • Where possible, support streamlined capacity development and system strengthening strategies at the county level.
  • Support implementation of community health strategy in collaboration with the CHMT, in order to ensure stronger linkage between facility and community level nutrition activities for improved uptake of nutrition services. 

4. Advocacy and communication:

  • Support County nutrition sector to identify and develop nutrition-related advocacy and communication strategies and messages for the purposes of increasing the profile of nutrition amongst all stakeholders

5. Supplies and logistic:

  • Support strengthening of the integrated nutrition supply chain system.
  • Ensure partners  support and use the integrated supply chain systems in order to improve the efficiency in forecasting, ordering, distribution, monitoring and reporting of essential nutrition supplies. 

6. Information management and Evaluation: 

  • Strengthen County and sub county information management and surveillance systems.
  • Support collation, review, validation and analysis of nutrition related information including from other sectors to inform better programming, implementation and monitoring.
  • Assist in writing  concept notes, documenting lessons learnt/good practices and other relevant reports for better programming 

 7. Emergency preparedness and response:

  • Support the County nutrition sector contingency planning/preparedness process 
  • Support the County nutrition sector contingency planning/preparedness process  Support county capacity to respond to nutrition  emergencies  

8. Monitoring and quality assurance:

  • In line with UNICEF risk management policies and procedures, monitor partners’ support to nutrition related interventions, including programs performance, monitoring of funds, supply and non-supply assistance

Competencies


Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.
Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.
Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).
Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.
Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.
Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.
Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.


Functional competencies

Required Skills
  • Health - Nutrition (2 years)
  • Executive/Management - Communications ( 2 years)
  • Health - Data collection, Validation and Reporting (2 years)
  • Accounting & Finance - Data Analysis and Interpretation (2 years)
  • Human Resources - Design and development of training programmes (2 years)
  • Human Resources - Training delivery (2 years)
  • Project Management - Management of food security projects (2 years)
  • Health - Health Programme Formulation (2 years)

Desired Skills

  • Administration - Word Processing/Spreadsheets (Optional)
  • Administration - Coordination (Optional)

Other skills
  • Applying Technical Expertise 
  • Learning and Researching            
  • Planning and Organizing                
  • Formulating Strategies and Concepts 
  • Analyzing 
  • Strong coordination skills 
  • Very good communication skills
  • Sound Computer skills    

Education

  • Bachelors Degree in Nutrition, Public Health, International Affairs, Humanitarian Affairs, Management, and/or Social Science or related field is required. Masters degree will be an added advantage.

Experience

  • 2 years of relevant experience in nutrition sector with a combination of Bachelor's Degree is required.
  • Experience of serving within the UN system or international organisation will be an added advantage.
  • Knowledge of humanitarian reform principles, international humanitarian law, inter-connectedness and reform pillars & reform updates is desired.
  • Ability to live and work in a multi-national/multi cultural environment is an added advantage

Languages

Fluency in written and spoken English is essential; working knowledge of additional UN or regional languages is considered an asset.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Local Individual Contractor Agreement
Contract level: LICA 8
Contract duration: 6 months (renewable subject to performance and availability of funds)

This is a local post. As such, it is only open to Kenyan Nationals or persons with valid residence permits  

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link: https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx


Additional Considerations

  • Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time (CET)
  • Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
  • Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
  • Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
  • For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
  • The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

Background Information - UNOPS

UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner.

Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices, always satisfying or surpassing our partners’ expectations.

With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, wherever they need it.

A flexible structure and global reach means that we can quickly respond to our partners' needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale. 

UNOPS - East Africa Hub

Located in Nairobi, Kenya, UNOPS  East Africa Hub manages a growing portfolio of engagements, including associated strategic and operational risks. The East Africa sub-region currently consists of an established operations center in South Sudan, an office in Somalia and a portfolio of engagements. This portfolio  includes  transactional projects in partnership with the Nairobi based UN Agencies UN-Habitat and UNEP, in addition to multiple ‘operational’ projects in Tanzania, Burundi, Uganda, Kenya and several Atlantic and Indian Ocean island states

This vacancy is now closed.
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