External VA: Health & Nutrition Specialist, NO3, Fixed Term, Myitkyina, Myanmar #18044

Interested candidates with relevant experience & qualifications are eligible to apply for this external announcement.

UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to protect the rights of every child. UNICEF has spent 70 years working to improve the lives of children and their families. Defending children's rights throughout their lives requires a global presence, aiming to produce results and understand their effects. UNICEF believes all children have a right to survive, thrive and fulfill their potential – to the benefit of a better world.

For every child, health

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programmes, 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, nutrition, 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.

How can you make a difference?

Under the guidance of the Chief, Field Office, the Health & Nutrition Specialist is responsible for the development, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation and administration of the Health & Nutrition programme within the country programme. Accountable for effective technical and programme support to facilitate the application and adaptation of UNICEF policies and strategies to achieve strategic priorities and objectives and expansion of UNICEF assisted Health & Nutrition interventions, including the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals agenda.

Key functions and accountabilities of the position (detailed job description attached):  JD_H&N Specialist NOC FT Myitkyina #18044.pdf

1. Timely sectoral analysis, input, support and coordination contribute to the Situation Analysis and its periodic update for effective project planning, development and management, in partnerships with key stakeholders and with contribution of knowledge institutions.
2. Quality contributions are made to the development and implementation of Integrated Health &   Nutrition strategies and approaches through participation and collaboration with internal and external partnership. Partnerships with global funds, multilateral and  bilateral agencies and development banks, as well as relations with the private sector enhanced and exploited efficiently, in order to formulate common advocacy position and influence allocation of  resources, as well as investment decisions on behalf of Health and Nutrition.
3. Work plan and objectives are strategically established, implementation support is effectively provided, and planned results are timely delivered through application of technical expertise, in consultation with all relevant partners.
4. Project implementation progress is monitored and evaluated for adjustment, acceleration and improvement of program delivery and sustainability. Gender/sex disaggregated data and inputs provided, relevant to the Health and Nutrition programme.
5. Technical support is provided to government and NGOs and all other partners at various stages of the project implementation, monitoring and evaluation, including capacity building of government personnel and beneficiaries. 
6. The capacities of Country Office staff are strengthened through effective capacity building support in the development, implementation and management of the Health & Nutrition programme and efficient communication is provided in building technical partnership with collaborative agency which can bring state-of-art information to staff.
7. UNICEF and Government and implementing partners accountability is ensured for supply and non-supply assistance and disbursement of programme funds for Health & Nutrition.
8. Effective working relationships with internal and external counterparts are kept maintained for advocacy, technical coordination, information sharing and knowledge networking.
9. Relevant and strategic information is kept available and shared with relevant stakeholders as required to support the Health & Nutrition Programme by the effective implementation of an integrated monitoring system.
10. Required programme/project reports are timely prepared and shared with relevant stakeholders as required in compliance with the established guidelines and procedures.
11. Emergency preparedness is maintained, and in emergencies, emergency responses with effective coordination are provided and in line with the Core Commitments for Children (CCCs) in Humanitarian Action, partnerships with the Health and Nutrition humanitarian actors strengthened within the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC).
12. Other assigned duties and responsibilities are effectively accomplished. 

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

• Advanced university degree in Public Health and Nutrition, Child Development, Water Sanitation, Public Administration, Social Policy, Social Development, Community Development, or other relevant disciplines. A first University degree in a relevant field combined with (2) additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree. M.B.B.S degree.
• Five years of professional work experience at the national and international levels in planning, programming, implementation monitoring, and evaluation of technical cooperation programmes related to Health and Nutrition.
• Professional work experience in a managerial position, or a technical expert position in child survival & development, health and nutrition care.
• Working experience in emergency including sector /cluster coordination at sub-national level
• Field work experience
• English language fluency and skills of Microsoft package. Fluency of the local language of the duty station is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies for this position are:

• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (1)
• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1)
• Drive to achieve results for impact (1)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (1)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (1)
• Works Collaboratively with others (1)
• Nurtures, leads and manages people (1)

The functional competencies required for this post are...

• Leading and supervising (I)
• Formulating strategies and concepts (II)
• Analyzing (III)
• Relating and networking (II)
• Deciding and Initiating action (II)
• Applying technical expertise (III)   

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

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 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.

UNICEF is a workplace that welcomes diversity and equal opportunities. If you require any reasonable accommodation for your test, please let us know two days ahead of the test. 

UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children.

Remarks:

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

Candidates may be considered for posts in additional duty stations.