Nutrition Specialist (IYCS & Micronutrient), (P4), #81045, Nairobi, Kenya - ESARO

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 Nutrition Specialist (Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition & Micronutrient Deficiency Control) reports to the Regional Adviser Nutrition, P5, for guidance and general supervision. The Specialist supports the Chief in managing the Section, contributing to knowledge management/innovation and developing/preparing nutrition (and/or an integrated/complex/key) programs/projects. The Specialist provides authoritative 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 based-management approaches and methodology (RBM) and UNICEF"s Strategic Plans, standards of performance and accountability framework.

Key Expected Results

Management and/or advisory support to the Head of Section

Program development and planning

Program management, monitoring and delivery of results

Advisory services and technical support

Advocacy, networking and partnership building

Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

Management and/or advisory support to the Head of Section

Provide advice to the Head of Section in establishing the annual work plan including developing strategies and determining priorities/targets and performance measurements. Coordinate work progress monitoring and ensure results (including multiple donor grant management) are achieved according to schedule and performance standards and report to Head of Section critical issues for timely action.

Provide technical assistance/advice to colleagues in the Section on all aspects of programming and implementation to enable colleagues to achieve program/performance objectives

Perform the full duties of the Head of Section in his/her absence.

Program development and planning

Plan and/or provide technical support/guidance to 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.

Participate in strategic program discussion on the planning of nutrition programs/projects. Formulate, design and prepare nutrition (and/or large sector/s) of programs/projects proposal, ensuring alignment with the overall UNICEF"s Strategic Plans, Regional Office Management Plans and Country Program and coherence/integration with UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), 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 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 authoritative technical and operational support throughout all stages of programming processes to ensure integration, coherence and harmonization of programs/projects with other UNICEF sectors and achievement of results as planned and allocated.

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/s in nutrition programs.

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 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.

Plan, monitor and certify and control the optimum/appropriate use of 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 mandated and key program/project reports for donors and other partners to keep them informed of program progress.

Advisory services and technical support

Provide advice to key government officials, NGO partners, UN system partners and other country office partners/donors on policies, strategies and best practices and approaches on health and related issues to support program development planning, management, implementation and delivery of results.

Participate in program strategic discussions/planning to provide technical advice/contribute to policy discussions and agenda setting to promote nutrition interventions especially in the areas of gender, emergency preparedness and maternal, new-born child and adolescent health and nutrition.

Prepare 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.

Advocacy, networking and partnership building

Build and strengthen strategic partnerships with nutrition/health sector government counterparts, national stakeholders and global partners/allies/donors/academia through active networking, advocacy and effective communication to build capacity, exchange knowledge/expertise and/or promote cooperation and alliances to achieve program goals on maternal/children rights and social justice/equity.

Prepare communication and information materials to highlight program goals, achievements and/or needs to promote awareness, establish partnership/alliances and support fund raising for nutrition programs (maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health and nutrition).

Participate and/or represent UNICEF in appropriate inter-agency (UNCT) discussions and planning on nutrition related issues to ensure organizational position, interests and priorities are fully considered and integrated in the UNDAF process in development planning and agenda setting. Collaborate with inter-agency partners/colleagues UNDAF planning and preparation of nutrition programs/projects.

Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

Promote critical thinking and innovative approaches and good practices for sustainable nutrition programs/projects initiatives through advocacy and technical advisory services.

Keep abreast, research, benchmark and implement best and cutting edge practices in nutrition information systems. Institutionalize and share best practices and knowledge learned.

Contribute to the development of policies and procedures and introduce innovation and best practices to ensure optimum efficiency and efficacy of sustainable programs and projects.

Organize, plan and/or implement capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders to promote sustainable results on nutrition related programs/projects.

Qualifications of Successful Candidate

Education

An Advanced University Degree in nutrition, nutritional epidemiology, public health, global/international health and nutrition, health/nutrition research, policy and/or management, or other health related science field is required.

Experience

A minimum of 8 years of professional experience in public health/nutrition planning and management and/or in relevant areas of maternal, new-born and child nutrition health care 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

Background/familiarity with emergency operations and staff security.

Language

Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language or a local 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

Leading and supervising

Formulating strategies and concepts

Analyzing

Relating and networking

Deciding and Initiating action

Applying technical expertise

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 organization.