Temporary Appointment : Nutrition Specialist (Nutrition in Emergencies),( P-3) , Buea, Cameroon #110553 (523258) 6 months

Since 2016, South-West and North-West regions of Cameroon have experienced a social instability studded with violence, with a negative impact on the socio-economic context. The socio-political crisis gradually turned into insecurity and armed violence since early November 2017. The escalation of tension and the multiplication of outbreaks of hostility between the non-state armed groups and security forces have affected the civilian population and forced the high number of households to leave their villages to more secure areas in other towns or in the bush. The current conflict has significantly increased existing vulnerabilities in the two regions. Since the affected populations have been displaced and forced to live in the bush where they do not have access to basic health, hygiene, and sanitation services, it’s likely that the ongoing emergency has already had a serious impact on the nutritional status of the most vulnerable groups, mainly children under five and women.

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, Good Health 

Since 2016, South-West and North-West regions of Cameroon have experienced a social instability studded with violence, with a negative impact on the socio-economic context. The socio-political crisis gradually turned into insecurity and armed violence since early November 2017.

The escalation of tension and the multiplication of outbreaks of hostility between the non-state armed groups and security forces have affected the civilian population and forced the high number of households to leave their villages to more secure areas in other towns or in the bush.

The current conflict has significantly increased existing vulnerabilities in the two regions. Since the affected populations have been displaced and forced to live in the bush where they do not have access to basic health, hygiene, and sanitation services, it’s likely that the ongoing emergency has already had a serious impact on the nutritional status of the most vulnerable groups, mainly children under five and women.

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. Therefore 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. The holder of the position will monitor UNICEF emergency nutrition response in the South West and North West regions to ensure that children under five and caregivers affected by the ongoing conflict in the two regions have increased and timely access to quality nutrition services in line with UNICEF Core Commitments for Children in humanitarian action”. She/he will coordinate the development of nutrition Emergency preparedness and response plan, monitor the implementation of timely nutrition emergency responses and collaborate with the nutrition cluster at a sub-national level.

 1. Support to programme development and planning 20 %

• Enhance effective project, sectoral or inter-sectoral planning, development, and management by coordinating and supporting the timely completion of the Situational Analysis and its periodic update through accurate and complete monitoring and analysis, and the timely preparation or finalization of sectoral input.
• Keep abreast of development trends to enhance programme management, efficiency, and delivery.
• Participate in strategic programme discussions on the planning of nutrition programmes/projects.
• Formulate, design and prepare nutrition programme proposal, ensuring alignment with UNICEF's Strategic Plans, Country Programme, and coherence/integration with the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), regional strategies, as well as national priorities, plans and competencies.
• Establish specific goals, objectives, strategies, and implementation plans for the nutrition sector(s) based on results-based planning terminology and methodology (RBM). Prepare the required documentation for programme review and approval.
• Work closely and collaboratively with colleagues and 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 to ensure integration, coherence, and harmonization of programmes/projects with other UNICEF sectors and achievement of results as planned and allocated.

 2. Programme management, monitoring, and delivery of results 25%

• Plan and/or collaborate with internal and external partners to establish monitoring benchmarks, performance indicators, and UNICEF/UN system indicators and measurements, to assess and strengthen performance accountability, coherence, and delivery of concrete and sustainable results for the assigned sector in nutrition programmes.
• Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual reviews with government and other counterparts to assess progress and to determine required action and interventions to achieve results.
• Prepare and assess monitoring and evaluation reports to identify gaps, strengths and/or weaknesses in programme management. Identify lessons learned and use the knowledge gained for development planning and timely intervention to achieve goals.
• Actively monitor programmes and projects through field visits, surveys and/or exchange of information with partners and 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 and appropriate use of sectoral programme resources (financial, administrative and other assets) confirming compliance with organizational rules, regulations, procedures, donor commitments, and standards of accountability. Ensure timely reporting and liquidation of resources.

 3. Technical and operational support to programme implementation 25%

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

4. Networking and partnership building 20%

• Build and sustain effective close working partnerships with nutrition sector government counterparts and national stakeholders through active sharing of information and knowledge.
• Facilitate programme implementation and build the capacity of stakeholders to achieve programme goals on maternal and child rights as well as social justice and equity.
• Prepare communication and information materials for CO programme advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnership/alliances and support fundraising for nutrition programmes (maternal, newborn and child survival and development).
• 
  Participate and/or represent UNICEF in inter-agency discussions, ensuring that UNICEF's position, interests, and priorities are fully considered and integrated with the UNDAF development planning and agenda setting.

 5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building 10%

• Apply and introduce innovative approaches and good practices to build the capacity of partners and stakeholders, and to support the implementation and delivery of concrete and sustainable programme 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 programmes and projects.
• Organize and implement capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients and stakeholders to promote sustainable results on nutrition-related programmes and projects.

Impact of Results:

The efficiency and efficacy of support provided by the Emergency Nutrition Specialist to the preparation, planning, and implementation of nutrition programmes/projects contributes to and accelerates the national development efforts to improve the nutritional status of mothers, infants and children in the country and this, in turn, contributes to maintaining and enhancing the credibility and ability of UNICEF to continue to provide programme services to mothers and children that promotes greater social equity in the country.

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

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in one of the following fields is required:  nutrition, public health, nutritional epidemiology, global/international health and nutrition, health/nutrition research, policy and/or management, health sciences, nutritional epidemiology, or another health-related science field.
• A minimum of [5] five of relevant professional experience in a developing country in one or more of the following areas is required: nutrition, public health, nutrition planning and management, or maternal, infant and child health/nutrition care.
• Strong experience in complex emergency settings/access issues, is required.
• Experience in health/nutrition programme/project development and management in a UN system agency or organization is an asset.
• Experience in a nutritional survey (SMART, rapid SMART, rapid assessment) is an asset
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French is an asset. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish) 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 Values

• Commitment
• Diversity and inclusion
• Integrity

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]
• Deciding and initiating action [II]
• Persuading and Influencing [II]
• Applying Technical Expertise [III] 

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.

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.

Remarks:

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

* The successful candidate for this emergency recruitment MUST be available to commence work within 31 days of receiving an offer.

* Please note that this is a non-family duty station.

* Employment is conditional upon receipt of medical clearance, any clearance required, the grant of a visa, and completion of any other pre-employment criteria that UNICEF may establish. Candidates may not be further considered or offer of employment may be withdrawn if these conditions are unlikely to be met before the date for commencement of service.