Nutrition Specialist (Emergency) - NOC, Nairobi, Kenya, #103085, FT, ESARO (Kenyan Nationals Only)

The Nutrition Officer will provide technical assistance to support Country Offices on Nutrition in Emergencies and enhance support to the development of and documentation of evidence-based Nutrition in emergency information.

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, 

https://www.unicef.org/esaro/

How can you make a difference?

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

Job organizational context In recent years the ESA Region has experienced high levels of chronic vulnerability, attributable to conflict, displacement, food and nutrition insecurity, climate variability, epidemics, and pockets of political instability and fragility that negatively impact children and women. Conflict, political instability in South Sudan, Somalia, Burundi led to a further deterioration of already weakened health care system and heightened vulnerability to acute malnutrition and food insecurity internally but also led to increased humanitarian needs in bordering countries due to mass displacement and an additional burden of severe acute malnutrition in bordering countries in East Africa.

In addition, the 2015-6 period was marked by global climatic changes affecting several countries in  East and Southern Africa exacerbating already existing food and nutrition insecurity vulnerabilities. The 2015–2016 El Niño phenomenon was recorded as one of the three strongest since 1950, with consequent impacts on vulnerable groups in several countries including Zimbabwe, Malawi, Angola, Madagascar, Mozambique, Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea.

The increase in humanitarian needs in nutrition (preparedness, response and coordination) demands an increase in capacity in UNICEF Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO), to provide greater support to countries in ESA through a nutrition specialist with skills and knowledge in emergency preparedness and response.

Purpose for the job 

Under the supervision and guidance of the Regional Nutrition Specialist – Emergency (P4), the incumbent will provide technical assistance to support Country Offices on Nutrition in Emergencies and enhance support to the development of and documentation of evidence-based Nutrition in emergency information.

The incumbent will provide technical assistance in the formulation, design, planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluation of Nutrition humanitarian programmes and interventions and as well as to improve and support sustained levels of  nutrition preparedness, coordination and response for emergency situations as per the Core Commitments for Children and within the Humanitarian Reform/Clusters framework.

The Specialist provides 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, allocation, results based-management approaches and methodology (RBM) and UNICEF’s Strategic Plans, standards of performance and accountability framework.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Support to programs/project development and planning
2. Program management, monitoring and delivery of results
3. Technical and operational support to Nutrition in emergencies program implementation
4. Networking and partnership building
5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building
6. Support to program/project development and planning

• Contribute to/support the preparation/design and conduct/update of situation analysis for the nutrition sector/s, , to ensure timely comprehensive and current data on maternal and child nutrition especially in emergencies are available to guide policy and development, design and management of nutrition programs/projects. Keep abreast of development trends to enhance program management, efficiency and delivery.
• Participate in strategic program discussion on the planning of nutrition programs/projects especially in emergency contexts. Formulate, design and prepare a sector of the nutrition programs/projects proposal, ensuring alignment with the overall UNICEF’s Strategic Plans and Country Program and coherence/integration with UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDF), regional strategies including DRR and national priorities, plans and competencies.
• Establish specific goals, objectives and strategies and implementation plans for the sector/s based on results-based planning terminology and methodology (RBM). Prepare required documentations for program review and approval with a focus on emergency preparedness and response.
• Work closely and collaboratively with internal and external colleagues, regional emergency coordination mechanisms, the Global nutrition cluster and other partners to discuss strategies and methodologies 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.

2. Program management, monitoring and delivery of results 

• Plan and/or collaborate with internal and external partners to establish monitoring benchmarks, performance indicators and other UNICEF/UN system indicators and measurement to assess/strengthen performance accountability, coherence and delivery of concrete and sustainable results for the assigned sector in nutrition programs.
• 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.
• Prepare/assess monitoring and evaluation reports, including management of the regional data base on nutrition in emergencies 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.
• Actively monitor programs/projects through field visits, surveys and/or exchange of information with partners/stakeholders to assess progress, identify bottlenecks and potential problems 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.

• Prepare regular/mandated program/project reports for management, donors and partners to keep them informed of program progress.

3. Technical and operational support to Nutrition in emergencies program implementation 

• Provide technical guidance and operational support to government counterparts, NGO partners, UN system partners and other country office partners/donors on interpretation, application and understanding of UNICEF nutrition in emergency policies, strategies, processes and best practices and approaches on nutrition in emergencies  and related issues to support program development planning, management, implementation and delivery of results.
• Participate in discussions with national partners/clients/stakeholders to promote nutrition responses and development issues especially in the areas of emergency preparedness and maternal, newborn and child survival and development.
• Draft policy papers, briefs and other strategic program materials  on nutrition in emergency preparedness and response interventions for management use, information and/or consideration.
• Participate in emergency preparedness initiatives program development and contingency planning and/or to respond to emergencies in country or where designated. 

4. Networking and partnership building 

• Build and sustain effective close working partnerships with nutrition sector government counterparts, national stakeholders and global partners/allies/donors/academia, the Global nutrition cluster, no wasted lives initiative, and cluster lead groupings 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, newborn and children.

• Prepare communication and information materials for CO program advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnership/alliances and support fund raising for nutrition in emergency preparedness and response programs .
• Participate and/or represent UNICEF in appropriate inter-agency discussions, including through the Regional nutrition working groups and planning on nutrition and related issues to collaborate with inter-agency partners/colleagues on UNDAF planning and preparation of nutrition in emergency programs/projects ensuring organizational position, interests and priorities are fully considered and integrated in the ROMP process in development planning and agenda setting.

5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Apply/introduce innovative approaches and good practice to build the capacity of partners and stakeholders on nutrition in emergencies 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 in emergency 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.
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To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• 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.

• 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 developing country is required. Relevant experience in health/nutrition program/project development and management including in emergency programmes in any UN system agency or organization is an asset.
• 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.

• 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

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.

Remarks:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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