Nutrition Specialist, P-4 (Nutrition in Emergencies/Wasting) at UNICEF

The position will support the scale up of early detection and treatment of wasting in all countries of the region, including roll out of the UN Global Action Plan (GAP) on Wasting, with focused support to the first adopter countries in maximising national-level efforts to scale-up prevention and treatment services to address wasting. The position will also contribute to the prevention of wasting, in close collaboration with other colleagues in the section, and will serve as focal point for nutrition and resilience and climate change. Further the incumbent will support the roll out of global partnerships with UN agencies, including the research agenda in documenting evidence on prevention of wasting and scale up of treatment. The nutrition specialist will facilitate the creation and/or strengthening of other strategic partnerships with key stakeholders at regional level on wasting and emergency nutrition.

The successful individual will be responsible for the following key accountabilities:

Management and advisory support to the Regional Adviser

• Provide advice to the RA in establishing, implementing and monitoring the wasting and NiE components of the annual work plan.
• Ensure results for NiE and wasting are achieved according to schedule and performance standards, and report to RA critical issues for timely action.
• Provide technical assistance and advice to colleagues in the section on the wasting and NiE aspects of programming and implementation to enable them to achieve results.

Programme development and planning

• Provide technical support and guidance on the preparation, design and updating of regional and country situation analyses on wasting and nutrition in emergencies, to inform the regional and country agendas.
• Provide technical and strategic assistance to country offices to formulate, design and prepare the wasting and NiE components of nutrition programmes and develop implementation plans.
• Provide support for country offices to develop the nutrition components of humanitarian response plans, HACs, appeals, proposals and other relevant emergency documents.
• Work closely and collaboratively with colleagues in other UNICEF sectors, particularly Health, Emergency, SBC, ECD, WASH, Social Policy, Supply and Communications and with HQ.
• Provide authoritative technical and operational support on wasting and NiE throughout all stages of programming processes.

Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results

• Collaborate with internal and external partners to establish monitoring benchmarks, performance indicators and other UNICEF/UN system indicators and measurements to assess and strengthen performance accountability and results for wasting and NiE.
• Provide quality assurance and review of country office annual reports, NutriDash, RAM, CSIs and results related to wasting and NiE and review of RO to CO compacts.
• Contribute to the design of evaluations and research related to wasting and NiE and review reports. Identify lessons learned and disseminate and use knowledge.

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, best practices and approaches on wasting and NiE-related issues.
• Participate in strategic programme discussions and planning to provide technical advice, contribute to policy discussions, and promote appropriate wasting and NiE interventions.
• Prepare policy papers, briefs and other strategic programme materials on wasting and NiE for management use, information and/or consideration.
• Participate in emergency preparedness initiatives in countries, assessments and response to emergencies in country (surge). Coordinate and provide assistance to the 21 Country Offices in identifying where support is required.

Advocacy, networking and partnership building

• Build and strengthen strategic partnerships on wasting & NiE with relevant UN agencies, regional economic communities, government counterparts, NGOs, national stakeholders, global and regional partners, allies, donors, and academia.
• Build capacity, exchange knowledge and expertise, and/or promote cooperation and alliances to achieve programme goals on wasting and NiE.
• Participate and/or represent UNICEF in appropriate inter-agency discussions and planning on wasting and nutrition in emergencies -related issues.
• Contribute to design and implementation of strengthened resilience programming for nutrition.
• Contribute to building new partnerships on climate and nutrition, including mapping, analysis, research, recommendations, investment cases and advocacy for climate-sensitive nutrition actions, fundraising, technical assistance and documentation.

Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Promote critical thinking, innovative approaches and good practices for sustainable and high coverage wasting programmes and effective and timely NiE responses.
• Keep abreast, research, benchmark, and implement best and cutting-edge practices in nutrition management and information systems for wasting and NiE.
• Contribute to the development of policies and procedures and introduce innovation and best practices on wasting programmes & NiE responses.
• Organize, plan and/or implement capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of country office Nutrition staff, Government counterparts and other stakeholders to promote and deliver results on wasting and NiE.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have

• Advanced university degree in Public Health or Nutrition (preferably with specialized training in public health and nutrition planning, health and nutrition education, health care system management, or epidemiology), Child Development, Social Policy, Social Development, Community Development, or other relevant disciplines.
• Eight years of professional work experience at the national and international levels in planning, programming, implementation monitoring and evaluation of nutrition programmes. Professional work experience in a managerial/leadership position, or a technical expert position in nutrition.
• Developing country work experience
• Background/familiarity and specific work experience on Nutrition in Emergencies and wasting prevention and treatment programmes
• 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: 30 Apr 2023