Nutrition Officer, NO-A, Banjul, The Gambia,#100501 (Open to Gambian Nationals Only)

Job Number: 529220 | Vacancy Link

Locations: Africa: Gambia

Work Type : Fixed Term Appointment

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.

Background

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, in everything the organization does; programs, advocacy and 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 every child has an unequal chance in life -in all social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions and without violations of their rights. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens by addressing inequities will not only give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but will also 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.

Under the general supervision of the Nutrition specialist, the Nutrition Officer is assigned under the nutrition component within the Child Survival and Development Programme of the Country Programme Development.

Purpose for the job:

To provide professional technical, operational and administrative assistance throughout the programming process for the nutrition programmes and projects. The incumbent will apply theoretical and technical skills in researching, collecting, analyzing, and presenting technical programme information to support the development and formulation of the Nutrition Programme within the Country Programme, while familiarizing with the organizational rules, regulations and procedures.

Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks:

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:To provide professional technical, operational and administrative assistance throughout the programming process for the nutrition programmes and projects

1.Support programme development and planning

Support efforts to ensure the availability of accurate, complete and up-to date nutrition information system by updating Nutri Dash, monthly IMAM database and sharing with regional office.

Availability of accurate, completed and up-to-dated information for project design, implementation and management through nutritional surveys, surveillance and screening data.

Support in planning and forecasting nutrition supplies, specification, procurement, distribution, monitoring and follow-up nutritional supplies at central and regional level.

Support efforts to scale up active screening in targeted communities.

Strengthen management of acute malnutrition by providing technical assistance during training of health workers in the management of SAM using the IMAM protocols, IYCF, BFHI, Lactation Management and Maternal Nutrition.

Technical assistance provided for integrated programming for nutrition and ECD with child protection, health, WASH and C4D where necessary

2.Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results.

Provide technical assistance in the planning, implementation and coordination of evidence generation studies, evaluation, and research.

Support strengthening and expanding the BFHI, BFCI and focusing on the first 1000 Days of optimal infant and child feeding.

Support nutrition education program using SBCC approach on IYCF

Support community social mobilization campaigns through drama and songs on community IYCF

Support the salt iodization programme

Review, follow-up on DCT request, payments and liquidation of nutrition activities.

Monitor and support programmatic field visits, follow-up actions and recommendations from the trip report.

3.Technical and operational support to programme implementation

Undertake field visits, conduct surveys, and exchange information with partners and stakeholders to assess progress and provide technical support. Take appropriate action to resolve issues and/or refer to relevant officials for resolution. Report on critical issues, bottlenecks and potential problems for timely action to achieve results.

Provide technical and operational support to government counterparts, NGO partners, UN system partners, and other country office partners and donors on the application and understanding of UNICEF policies, strategies, processes, and best practices on nutrition related issues to support programme implementation, operations and delivery of results.

4. Networking and partnership building

Build and sustain effective close working partnerships with nutrition sector government counterparts and national stakeholders through active sharing of information and knowledge to enhance programme implementation and capacity building of stakeholders to deliver concrete and sustainable results.

Draft communication and information materials for CO programme advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnership/alliances and support fund raising for nutrition programmes.

Participate in appropriate inter-agency meetings and events on programming to collaborate with inter-agency partners/colleagues on UNDAF operational planning and preparation of nutrition programmes/projects; and to integrate and harmonize UNICEF’s position and strategies with the UNDAF development and planning process.

Research information on potential donors and prepare resource mobilization materials and briefs for fund raising and partnership development purposes.

5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

Identify, capture, synthesize, and share lessons learned for knowledge development and to build the capacity of stakeholders.

Apply innovative approaches and promote good practices to support the implementation and delivery of concrete and sustainable  programme results.

Research,benchmark and report on best and cutting-edge practices for development planning of knowledge products and systems.

Participate as a resource person in capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients and stakeholders.

Impact of Results

The efficiency and efficacy of support by the Nutrition Officer to the preparation, planning and implementation of nutrition programmes/projects will 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 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.

Competencies and level of proficiency required

View our competency framework at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

Qualifications

Education: University degree 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.

Experience: minimum of one year of 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.

Experience in health/nutrition programme/project development in a UN system agency or organization is an asset

Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required.  Knowledge of another official UN language or local language of the duty station is considered as an asset.

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.

Deadline for submission of Applications: 4th February 2020.

Closing Date Wed Feb 05 2020 00:55:00 GMT+0100 (heure normale d’Europe centrale)