Programme Specialist (Nutrition), P3, FT, Child Nutrition and Development in Emergencies, Programme Group at UNICEF

Purpose for the job  

• Under the leadership of the Senior Nutrition Advisor, Child Nutrition and Development in Emergencies, this role will provide significant support to improving UNICEF systems and approaches for Nutrition in Emergencies globally. This will entail supporting current essential functions by emergency focal points in HQ, while bringing new capacity for analysing and testing how systems can be improved and strengthened at all levels for nutrition in emergencies. In addition, this role will provide much needed technical and operational support – both remotely and via deployment - to priority humanitarian responses to support UNICEF Country Offices deliver on the Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action.
• This role will considerably expand the standing capacity in Nutrition in Emergencies in HQ and ROs to provide agile, responsive, and proactive technical support to UNICEF COs responding to a humanitarian crisis. This role will work in close coordination with the nutrition ERT, the GNC Technical Alliance and the Nutrition in Emergencies Technical WG, as well as colleagues in emergency operations (EMOPS), responsible for data management.

Summary of results-based key functions/accountabilities:

Support provision of high quality, proactive technical support to priority humanitarian countries.

• In coordination with EMOPs, the Global Nutrition Cluster and Regional Offices, provide direct, context appropriate technical support (remote and in person) to countries for Nutrition in Emergency (emergency preparedness, response and recovery).
• Enable systematic linkages between technical resources at HQ and RO, and country level needs, for example in Maternal and Child Nutrition (MCN) and Early Childhood Development (ECD) information systems in emergencies, and fragile contexts.
• Participate in the monitoring and evaluation of the MCN and ECD component of emergency responses (e.g. annual reporting on emergency preparedness and response, documentation of lessons learned and good practices, and strengthening the capacity of UNICEF monitoring systems to track emergency preparedness and response) and contribute to knowledge management and communication to ensure that emergency responses are adequately resourced, and documented for future planning and strategy development.

Support strengthening of systems for more effective and efficient NiE preparedness and response.

• In coordination with the Child Nutrition and Development in Emergencies team, and in consultation with Global Nutrition Cluster and relevant stakeholders, develop tools for Nutrition in Emergencies programme monitoring, tracking and reporting (eg; monitoring BMS donations/violations or misuse, coverage surveys etc)
• Support assessment, data analysis and program monitoring tools and guidance to strengthen collaboration between Nutrition, and UNICEF’s Health, WASH and Protection sectors at the global level.
• Work in close coordination with Regional Nutrition in Emergencies specialists, and global partners to monitor the nutrition situation in priority countries and identifying priority actions in preparedness. This includes but is not limited to supporting development of emergency preparedness and response plans for crisis countries and reviewing strategic response documents (Strategic Response Plans, Humanitarian Needs Overviews, Humanitarian Action for Children appeals) to contribute to effective and efficient emergency preparedness and response actions.
• Support country specific Emergency Management Team (EMT) and Technical Meetings by preparing nutrition inputs and following up on actions relevant to nutrition.
• Support global capacity strengthening initiatives for Nutrition in Emergencies.
• Provide operational support including proposal development, procurement and budgets as required.

Support technical developments in NiE.

• In line with UNICEF CCCs, and in coordination with the GNC Technical Alliance, support initiatives to improve Nutrition in Emergencies technical capacity in areas including cash programming, disaster risk reduction, and resilience building in humanitarian settings.
• Support identification and implementation of operational research in nutrition in emergencies. 

Impact of Results

• The efficiency and efficacy of support provided by the Nutrition Specialist to the preparation, planning and implementation of nutrition programmes/projects contributes to and accelerates efforts to improve the nutritional status of mothers, infants and children globally 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. More specifically:
  • Strengthened UNICEF leadership in nutrition in emergencies
  • Strengthened coordination and partnerships

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• Advanced university degree (Master's Degree) in public health, international development or social sciences is required.
• Minimum five (5) years of progressively responsible professional work related to data management, analysis, interpretation and reporting in the areas of public health nutrition, public health, humanitarian assistance and development, health/nutrition research, or other health related social science field is required.
• Direct, practical experience in the design, implementation and monitoring of nutrition in emergencies interventions, surveys, data systems and analysis.
• Experience in providing context appropriate technical support both in person and remotely. 
• Experience in capacity strengthening in nutrition in emergencies for diverse audiences.
• Demonstrable experience in the nutrition cluster, at country or global level. Experience as a cluster coordinator an asset.
• Prior experience in nutrition program/project development and management in any UN system agency or organization is an asset.
• Demonstrated ability to work in difficult and complex environments, and effective management of diverse stakeholders.

ADDITIONAL SKILLS DESIRED:

• Knowledge of UNICEF programs in the field of child survival and development, UNICEF Nutrition Strategic Plan 2020-2030 and the Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action (CCCs)
• Proven skills in communication, influencing and negotiation.
• Experience in planning and financial management.
• Excellent writing and communication skills in English is required.
• Working knowledge of languages including Arabic, French, Portuguese, or Spanish is considered a significant asset.
• This role involves travel to Country Offices, sometimes at short notice. The post holder must be able to travel for up to 40% level of effort.