If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world’s leading children’s rights organization would like to hear from you.
For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children’s survival, protection and development. The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.
Purpose of the Position
The CSD section currently does not have the technical expertise as it is not part of the approved structure; and the Nutrition progamme of the CSD has been run using SSA staffs over the past 2 years due to challenges in securing OR for the temporary assistance position; even when the needs are clear given the persisting drought and humanitarian needs of vulnerable families.
Critical food and nutrition insecurity situation worse in the rural areas, especially the localities of Cuanhama, Ombandja, Namacunde and Curoca in Cunene province. Potable water continues to be a serious concern, primarily in Cunene, Namibe and parts of Huila provinces where 80 per cent of the boreholes are non-functional; and as a result, people continue to use unsafe water sources for consumption, cooking and their animals. In some areas, people and animals are forced to share the same untreated stagnant water, which could cause diarrhea and heightened the risk of other related water-borne diseases like cholera.
Drought, limited potable water and increased food insecurity have also had a significant impact on the population’s health and nutrition, particularly for children under 5 years; and this has led to increased cross-border population movements and relocations, which raises child nutrition security and protection concerns.
The Specialist will work in close collaboration with FAO, WHO, MOH and Nutrition stakeholders; and assist the UNICEF programme to align to the 2016-2022 revised MOH-DNSP strategic plans.
Furthermore, support i) Policy gap analysis with policy development; ii) scaling of integrated nutrition sensitive and nutrition specific interventions iv) capacity building and quality of care assurance; v) integrated disease and nutrition surveillance system and vi) conduct of ethnographic, barrier analysis and SMART surveys. This should be consistent with the WHO-UNICEF Joint reporting form, organizational Strategic Plans and goals, standards of performance and accountability framework.
Key Expected Results
- Management and/or advisory support provided to the Chief
- Program development and planning improved
- Effective Program management, monitoring and delivery of results achieved
- Advisory services and technical Support provided
- Advocacy, networking and partnership building processes established
- Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building institutionalized
Key Accountabilities and Duties & Tasks
Under the general guidance of the Chief, CSD Section, the Nutrition Specialist will be responsible for the development, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the Nutrition component of the CSD programme.
The incumbent will technically lead and support the overall coordination and management of the development nutrition program and Emergency response in the 11 Southern provinces. Design and develop the Nutrition security strategy, scale up delivery of IYCF, micronutrient elimination and expanded quality CMAM activities in the 18 provinces.
The post holder will also be responsible for donor grant management and using findings, research results and experiences from this project to influence decision-making, shape policy and future work plans.
Qualifications of Successful Candidate
Education
- Advanced university degree in one of the disciplines relevant to the following areas: Public Health & Nutrition, Health Sciences, International Health & Nutrition, Public Health & Nutrition Policy and Management, Family Health & Nutrition, Nutritional Epidemiology, Health & Nutrition Education, Health & Nutrition Promotion and Disease Prevention or other relevant discipline(s).
Work Experience
- Five (5) to Eight (8) years of relevant professional work experience, including in developing countries.
- Experience in monitoring gender inequalities and in programming interventions that reduce these inequalities;
- Advanced university degree in the social/behavioral sciences (Sociology, Anthropology, Psychology, and Health Education) with emphasis on strategic communication planning for behavior development, social mobilization, participatory communication and research.
Language Proficiency
- Fluency in English (verbal and written) and in Portuguese required; and
- Knowledge of another UN working language is an asset.
Competencies of Successful Candidate
Core Values
- Commitment
- Diversity and Inclusion
- Integrity
Core competencies
- Communication
- Working with People
- Drive for Results
Functional Competencies
- Applying Technical Expertise
- Analyzing
- Planning and Organizing
- Formulating Strategies and Concepts
- Relating and Networking
- Deciding and Initiating Action
To view our competency framework, please click here.
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation.
