Nutrition Officer United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF)

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.

For every child, Nutrition…..

The UNICEF Programme of Cooperation with the Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ) is designed to address and mitigate the threat of poverty the country’s children face, while responding to the needs with interventions addressing the multiple causative factors.

To find out more about UNICEF’s work in Zambia, please visit https://unicef.sharepoint.com/sites/ZMB/SitePages/About-us(1).aspx

How can you make a difference?

The Nutrition Officer reports to the Nutrition Specialist for close guidance and supervision. The Officer provides professional, technical, operational, and administrative assistance throughout the programming process through the application of theoretical and technical skills in collecting, analyzing, and presenting technical program information while applying organizational rules, regulations, and procedures to support the planning, implementation, and monitoring of the SUN-II Programme.

The Officer will be responsible for the SUN-II Programme operation in 5-6 districts out of the 17 SUN II districts in Zambia, and the role will include planning, implementation, as well as monitoring of Annual Work Plan and Budget (AWPB), coordination work, meeting programmatic needs to achieve results for children, and provides technical support to governments, provincial and district systems and implementing partners on multi-sectoral nutrition. The post is critical in supporting and facilitating the overall management (planning, implementation, coordination, monitoring, capacity building and reporting results) for the SUN-II Programme from provincial and 5-6 districts.

Key functions/accountabilities:

1. Programme Development and Planning

• Conduct, compile and update the programme sector profile through situation analysis, data collection and compilation for the planning, implementation and monitoring of SUN-II Programme and report regularly on progress, achievements to enhance programme management, efficiency and delivery of results
• Support districts and provinces in result-based planning through proper need analysis and areas of interventions for priority and goal setting towards achievement of results
• Provide technical and operational support throughout all stages of programming processes by executing and administering a variety of technical programme transactions; preparing materials and documentations, and complying with organizational processes and management systems, to support programme planning, results-based planning (RBM), and monitoring and evaluation of results
• Prepare required documentations and materials to facilitate the programme review and approval process
• Conduct, compile and update the situation analysis for nutrition-specific interventions (interventions, training, supplies, training, technical or SBCC materials, recording tools) under the health sector for the planning, implementation and monitoring of nutrition-specific activities and report regularly on progress, achievements to enhance programme management, efficiency, and delivery of results
• Support districts, provinces and NGOs in development of quarterly work plan for fund request

2. Programme Management, Monitoring, and Delivery of Results

• Establish and maintain coordination mechanism with districts and provinces and assess the programmatic, financial and result progress on the approved work plan and budget for SUN-II implementation and timely reporting to national office
• Work closely and collaboratively with colleagues within UN, NGOs, and Government SUN-II partners and discuss operational and implementation issues and suggest solutions, recommendations and/or escalate for timely higher-level intervention and/or decision-making
• Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, periodic programme reviews with the government (NFNC, line ministries and PNCC/DNCCs), UN agencies and NGOs partners to assess the progress of the SUN-II Programme and report on required action and interventions at the higher level of programme management
• Monitor and report on the use of SUN-II sectoral programme resources (financial, administrative, and other assets), verifying compliance with approved allocation, goals, organizational rules, regulations/procedures, donor commitments, standards of accountability, and integrity.
• Work closely and collaboratively with the District and Province Health Office as well as NGOs to monitor the progress on nutrition-specific interventions, including the regular monitoring and updating on nutrition supplies and training, and provide oversight for the effective management of the M&E data for the district
• Prepare regular and mandated reports for management, donors, and partners in order to keep them informed of programme progress. Keep record of reports and assessments for easy reference and/or capture and institutionalize lessons learned
• Monitor disbursement and utilization of programme funds at the district and provincial by SUN-II implementing partners with support from NGOs and prepare updates on financial progress as required
• Support follow up of cash transfers and liquidation by government line ministries in line with UNICEF procedures
• Report on critical issues, bottlenecks, and potential problems to facilitate timely action to achieve results. Report on issues identified to ensure timely resolution by management and stakeholders and follow up on unresolved issues to ensure resolution

3. Technical and Operational Support to Programme Implementation

• Provide or facilitate regular technical support to the districts, provinces, and NGOs for the timely implementation of the approved SUN II district and provincial work plan.
• Conduct regular programme field visits and performance assessments, and exchange information with partners and stakeholders within the province in order to assess progress and provide technical support. Take appropriate action to resolve issues and/or refer to national office for resolution.
• Provide technical and operational support to line ministries, PNCCs, DNCCs, and NGO partners on the application and understanding of UNICEF policies, strategies, processes, and best practices on nutrition-related issues in support of programme implementation, operations, and delivery of results

4. Networking and Partnership Building

• Build and sustain effective and close working partnerships with UN agencies, line ministries, PNCCs and DNCCs and NGOs through active sharing of information and knowledge to facilitate programme implementation and build capacity of stakeholders to achieve programme goals on maternal, adolescence and child nutrition
• Support development of communication and advocacy materials and support the implementation of SCBB and advocacy activities to promote awareness, establish partnership/alliances and support resource mobilization at the district level

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 line ministries and NGO stakeholders

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

• University Degree in one of the following fields is required nutrition, public health, nutritional epidemiology, global/international health and nutrition, food and nutrition policy, international development, or another health-related science field.
• 2 years’ experience in a developing country in one or more of the following areas is required nutrition, public health, nutrition planning and management, multi-sectoral nutrition, or maternal, infant and child health/nutrition.
• Experience in health/nutrition programme/project development in a UN system agency or organization is an asset
• Experience in Planning and Budget Monitoring required.
• Experience in Programme Monitoring of implementing partners.
• Experience in coordinating and implementing multi-sectoral nutrition programme.
• Experience in using MS Office functions and eTool will be an asset.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of local language of the duty station is considered as an asset

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability (CRITA) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: https://uni.cf/UNICEFValues

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships (2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (3) Drive to achieve results for impact (4) Innovates and embraces change (5) Manages ambiguity and complexity (6) Thinks and acts strategically (7) Works collaboratively with others.

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

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 be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.