Internal & External: Nutrition Specialist (P-4), FT, #43624, Nutrition Group, PG – NYHQ

Note: The Programme Group (PG) is currently undergoing organizational changes, therefore the exact location of the post is still under consideration.  As such, the selected candidate will be expected to move to New York and s/he would be expected to relocate to another location as the case may be, during the contractual period.    

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.

The post is based in the New York Headquarters Nutrition Section, in the Infant and Young Child Nutrition (IYCN) unit, reporting to the Senior Nutrition Advisor , IYCN.  You will work closely with other members of the IYCN Unit as well  as members of the Nutrition Section and Programme Division.  You will  also work closely with UNICEF’s implementing partners and donors. The position involves frequent travel.

For every child, good nutrition……

Under the guidance of the Senior Advisor, you will be responsible for providing technical support to the field in all aspects of complementary foods and feeding within the context of the Global Strategy on Infant and Young Child Feeding, adopted by the World Health Assembly and UNICEF Executive Board in 2002.

How can you make a difference?

Tasks will include the following:

1. Technical support for complementary feeding advocacy, policy, programming and planning
Serves as focal point for advocacy , policy, programming and technical expertise in complementary foods and feeding, behavior change and community participation and empowerment. Develops and advocates global policies and strategies for improved complementary feeding, with a special focus on improved complementary feeding through an equity approach, within the context of the Global Strategy on Infant and Young Child Feeding. Supports regional and country offices in large-scale comprehensive programming by applying the latest knowledge and tools for effective programme planning and implementation.

Organizes capacity building events and activities at the regional and country level to strengthen staff capacity for programming on complementary feeding.

Undertakes support visits to UNICEF offices and provides continuous distance support for improvement of programming and planning for improved complementary foods and feeding.

2. Technical support and guidance on integration with other sectors
Ensures that promotion and support of adequate young child feeding , especially complementary feeding programming and use of home fortification where needed, is implemented at community and family level. This includes providing guidance and technical assistance on strengthening policies for young child feeding, ensuring it is integrated into nutrition, health and other sectors plans and programmes such as Early Childhood Development Social Protection and WASH.

3. Knowledge management and sharing
Organizes, collects and disseminates results of research and best practices on issues related to complementary feeding and prevention of stunting and other forms of malnutrition including overweight and obesity and other relevant community-based programmes.

4. Technical support to build national capacity
Assists in, organizes, and coordinates technical assistance for the development of training materials and provision of technical support related to complementary feeding, in humanitarian and non-humanitarian contexts.

5. Advocacy, networking and resource mobilisation
Works with PFP to advocate for securing of funds for complementary feeding programming , in addition to the management of available resources and staff dedicated to improve early childhood nutrition. Prepares funding proposals and donor reports.

To qualify as a champion for every child, the candidate must have…

• Completion of Advanced university degree in public health or nutrition
• 8 years professional work experience at national and international levels in young child feeding , public health and program management.
• 5 years relevant experience in developing countries.
• Knowledge and experience working in community-based development and knowledge of food systems.
• Advanced knowledge of computer management and applications, especially in MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Fluency in English is required.  Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s core values of Care, Respective, Integrity, Trust and Accountability.

For more information on remuneration and benefits, please visit UNICEF’s Entitlements’ page.  If you would like to find estimates for entitlements, you may use the online Salary Estimate Calculator

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

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, race, sexual orientation, nationality, culture, appearance, socio-economic status, ability, age, religious, and ethnic backgrounds, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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.

“UNICEF only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/”