Nutrition Specialist, (P-3),Temporary Appointment , Kinshasa, DRC 11months ( 529218)

The Nutrition Specialist reports to the Chief of Nutrition (Level 5) for guidance and general supervision. The Specialist supports the development and preparation of the nutrition (community-based integrated management of acute malnutrition and emergency) programs/projects and is responsible for managing, implementing, monitoring, evaluating and reporting progress of the nutrition programs/projects within the country program. 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 in based-management approaches and methodology (RBM) and UNICEF’s Strategic Plans, standards of performance and accountability framework.

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, A Champion

The Nutrition Specialist reports to the Chief of Nutrition (Level 5) for guidance and general supervision. The Specialist supports the development and preparation of the nutrition (community-based integrated management of acute malnutrition and emergency) programs/projects and is responsible for managing, implementing, monitoring, evaluating and reporting progress of the nutrition programs/projects within the country program.

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 in based-management approaches and methodology (RBM) and UNICEF’s Strategic Plans, standards of performance and accountability framework.

How can you make a difference?

1. 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 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, notably for the community management of acute malnutrition and emergencies.
• Participate in strategic program discussions on the planning of nutrition programs/projects.
• 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 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 the required documentations for program review and approval.
• Work closely and collaboratively with internal and external 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 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 notably for the community management of acute malnutrition and emergencies.
• 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 to identify gaps, strengths/weaknesses in program and management, identify lessons learned and use the 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 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 policies, strategies, processes and best
• Practices and approaches on nutrition 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 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 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 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 fundraising for nutrition programs (maternal, newborn and child survival and development).
• Participate and/or represent UNICEF in appropriate inter-agency (UNCT) discussions and planning on nutrition and related issues to collaborate with inter-agency partners/colleagues on UNDAF planning and preparation of nutrition programs/projects ensuring organizational position, interests and priorities are fully considered and integrated with the UNDAF 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 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 nutrition-related programs/project

Impact of Results

The efficiency and efficacy of program preparation planning and implementation of nutrition programs/projects and contribute to and accelerate the national development efforts to improve the nutritional status of mothers, infants, and children in the country, and this, in turn, contributes to maintaining/enhancing the credibility and ability of UNICEF to continue to provide program services for 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 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 first university degree may be considered in lieu of an Advanced University degree with 2 additional years of relevant working experience
• A minimum of [5]  Five years of relevant 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 in any UN system agency or organization is an asset.
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.
• Fluency in English and French is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

The functional competencies required for this post are :

Core Values

• Commitment
• Diversity and inclusion
• Integrity

Core competencies

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

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

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.

* 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.