Health & Nutrition Officer

Details

Mission and objectives

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 favouritism. 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, hygiene/sanitation and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfil 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.

Context

UNICEF Mozambique works across the country focusing on children’s wellbeing an enabling environment where they can survive and thrive. The Heath & Nutrition UNV will support achievements towards children’s wellbeing implementing identified activities in the joint Child Health and Nutrition and Ministry of Health (MoH) workplan, specifically within areas of maternal child health and nutrition linked to nurturing care and early childhood development outcomes. The assignment will include monitoring and support visits to the field, especially to UNICEF focal provinces – Sofala, Zambezia, Nampula and Cabo Delgado.

Task description

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Chief of Child Health and Nutrition or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV Child Health & Nutrition Officer will work on linkages across policies and interventions for children to survive and thrive, undertaking the following tasks: • Review and consolidate information for better understanding on the status of nurturing care within the child health and nutrition sectors in Mozambique and identify issues/barriers towards leaving no child behind in their opportunities for optimal early childhood development • Work in in support of ECD focal person in the section on coordination, planning and implementation related to nurturing care and its integration across child health and nutrition activities • Identify linkages in the continuum of nurturing care with other sections such as education, protection, SBC and adolescents • Contribute to initiatives across UNICEF sections, such as community health, nutrition, social behaviour change, WASH in health facilities, nurturing care and civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS); • Conduct monitoring field visits and follow-up of recommendations and support development/testing of new tools and mechanisms with the team; • Produce learning and other documentation as identified related to results achieved for children in emergency contexts • Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities: • Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; • Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities. • Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.