Nutrition Specialist(Governance and Systems) at UNICEF

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The Nutrition Specialist (Governance & Systems) supports the development and preparation of governance and system-strengthening components of the nutrition programme and is responsible for managing, implementing, monitoring, evaluating, and reporting the programme progress of the same within Kenya country programme. The Nutrition Specialist provides 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 programmes/projects.

Support to multisectoral programme development, planning and management

• Provide strategic engagement with relevant national and county government sectors as well as stakeholders to enhance effective multisectoral programme development, coordination, planning, and management by contributing timely and effective technical advice, guidance and inputs.
• Promote the quality of rights-based nutrition programme through participation in the formulation of multisectoral programme goals, strategies and approaches bringing coherence, synergy and added value to coordination and implementation of activities on cross-cutting issues internally within UNICEF programme sectors (Health, WASH, Education and Social Policy, etc.), with the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF)and amongst relevant government sectors and stakeholders for a heightened systems approach toward sustainable results for maternal and child nutrition,
• Provide overall leadership of the SUN vision of “by and through government” and operationalization of its determinant (accountability, leadership, advocacy, policy framework, coordination, financing, etc).
• Establish specific goals, objectives, strategies, and implementation plans for the nutrition sector(s)with a focus on governance and system strengthening in national and county government-based service delivery and strong referral linkages utilizing results-based planning terminology and methodology (RBM). Prepare the required documentation for programme review and approval.
• Work closely and collaboratively with colleagues and partners to discuss strategies and methodologies, and to determine national priorities/competencies to ensure the achievement of concrete and sustainable results.
• Provide technical and operational support throughout all stages of programming processes to ensure integration, coherence and harmonization of programmes/projects with other UNICEF sectors and achievement of results as planned and allocated.
• Lead, develop and oversee the adaptation of the nutrition programme and nutrition environment into gender-transformative ones.
• Keep abreast of development trends to enhance coordinated multisectoral and multistakeholder systematic programme management, efficiency and delivery.

Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results

• Support effective nutrition programme management by the timely completion of the situational analysis and its periodic update through accurate and complete monitoring and analysis, addressing gender inequality and determinants of gender/sex/geographic equality; ensure the timely preparation or finalization of sectoral input.
• Plan and/or collaborate with internal and external partners to establish monitoring benchmarks, performance indicators, and UNICEF/UN system indicators and measurements, to assess and strengthen performance accountability, coherence and delivery of concrete and sustainable results for the assigned sector in nutrition programme related to related system strengthening.
• Contribute to and support national and county governments and other counterparts to prepare, design and assess progress as well as determine through regular updates of the situation analysis for the nutrition sector(s) to ensure comprehensive and current data on maternal and child nutrition is available to guide policy development and the design and management of nutrition programmes/projects.
• Prepare and assess monitoring and evaluation reports to identify gaps, strengths and/or weaknesses in governance and systems strengthening in Nutrition programme management. Identify lessons learned and use the knowledge gained for development planning and timely intervention to achieve goals.
• Actively monitor programmes and projects through field visits, surveys and/or exchange of information with partners and 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.
• Monitor and verify the optimum and appropriate use of sectoral programme resources (financial, administrative and other assets) confirming compliance with organizational rules, regulations, procedures, donor commitments, and standards of accountability. Ensure timely reporting and liquidation of resources.
• Prepare regular and mandated programme/project reports for management, donors and partners to keep them informed of programme progress.

Technical and operational support to programme implementation

• Provide technical guidance and operational support to government counterparts, NGO partners, UN system partners and other country office partners/donors on the interpretation, application and understanding of UNICEF policies, strategies, processes, best practices, and approaches on nutrition and related issues to support programme development planning, management, implementation, and delivery of results.
• Participate in discussions with national partners, clients and stakeholders to promote nutrition and development issues, especially in the areas of emergency preparedness and maternal, newborn and child survival and development.
• Draft policy papers, briefs and other strategic programme materials for management use, information and/or consideration.
• Participate in emergency preparedness initiatives for programme development, contingency planning and/or respond to emergencies in the country or where designated.
• Provide technical assistance to strengthen governance, and systems strengthening, in county governments to implement quality nutrition interventions.

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.
• Facilitate programme implementation and build the capacity of stakeholders to achieve programme goals on maternal and child rights as well as social justice and equity.
• Provide technical advice and assistance on governance and system strengthening to partners in the planning and management of nutrition programmes/projects.
• Support effective communication and prepare information materials for CO programme advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnerships/alliances and support fundraising for nutrition programmes.
• Participate and/or represent UNICEF in inter-agency discussions, ensuring that UNICEF’s sector position, interests and priorities are fully considered and integrated into the UNDAF development planning and agenda setting.

Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Strengthen the sectoral knowledge management process by developing/reviewing sectoral documents and reports and national/county programme plans of action. Ensure exchange of knowledge, information, experience or lessons learned; provide solid technical recommendations on major programme directions.
• Enhance collaboration with the CAP section to ensure the development of effective nutrition programme communication materials and strategies to support advocacy and social mobilization efforts.
• Apply and introduce innovative approaches and good practices to build the capacity of partners and stakeholders, and to support the implementation and delivery of concrete and sustainable programme results.
• Keep abreast, research, benchmark, and implement best and cutting-edge practices in nutrition management, information system and system strengthening. Assess, institutionalize and share best practices and knowledge learned.
• Contribute to developing and implementing policies and procedures to ensure optimum efficiency and efficacy of sustainable programmes and projects.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) 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.
• A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted instead of an Advanced University Degree.
• A minimum of eight years of relevant 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 and management in a UN system agency or organization is an asset
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

Deadline: 21 Mar 2023