Re-advertisement: Health and Nutrition Specialist, Fixed-term appointment, NO-3, Nur-Sultan duty station, Kazakhstan (open to Kazakhstan nationals only)

Health and Nutrition Specialist, Fixed-term appointment, NO-3, Nur-Sultan duty station, Kazakhstan (open to Kazakhstan nationals only)

Position Level: NO-3
Contract Type: fixed-term appointment
Duty Station: Nur-Sultan
Working type: full-time, office-based

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, a fair chance

Background

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programmes, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations. For more than two decades, UNICEF works closely with the national government, local representatives and civil society to improve the situation of children in Kazakhstan, ensuring equal access to quality social services, and primarily, healthcare and education.

How can you make a difference?

Under the guidance and general supervision of the Deputy Representative, P-4, Health & Nutrition Specialist is responsible for the development, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation and administration of the Health & Nutrition programme within the Kazakhstan country programme; accountable for effective technical and programme support to facilitate the application and adaptation of UNICEF policies and strategies to achieve strategic priorities and objectives and expansion of UNICEF assisted Health & Nutrition interventions, including the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals agenda.

Typically, as the functional leader of a sectoral group, Health & Nutrition Specialist provides technical leadership, guidance and direction for sectoral and inter- sectoral programme development, design, planning, implementation, and administration of specific project activities within a country programme in a small to medium size country office structure. As a seasoned professional technical specialist, the incumbent is held accountable for timely and effective technical contribution to the preparation of situation analysis, programme documents, programme strategy, planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting. As head of Health & Nutrition group, holds primary responsibility for the achievement of sectoral programme priorities and objectives consistent with the established strategy. Holds contributory responsibility for strategic recommendations and decisions on situation analysis and programme/project strategy development. Assumes primary responsibility for effective management of the sectoral cluster, including oversight/supervision of project staff, financial accountability of funds and human resources management and development.

Duties and responsibilities

1. Timely sectoral analysis, input and support contribute to the Situation Analysis and its periodic update for effective project planning, development and management.
• Contributes to the preparation of the Situation Analysis by compiling, analysing and evaluating information and providing the technical input and support to Health & Nutrition interventions and its periodic update
• Prepares sectoral input to the Country Programme Document and all related documents (e.g., Country Programme Recommendation, Plans of Action, Country Programme Summary Sheet).
• Contributes to the consultation and coordination with key partners at all levels.

2. Quality technical contributions are made to the development and implementation of Integrated Health & Nutrition strategies and approaches through participation and collaboration with internal and external partnership.
• Works with other UNICEF sectors, particularly Health, Nutrition, CSD, HIV/AIDS, WASH and programme communication to ensure integration of the Health & Nutrition programme with other sectors.
• Contributes to build on intersectoral experience and establish partnerships to promote innovative approaches to address immediate and underlying determinants of maternal, newborn and child health and nutrition, recognizing that health and nutrition outcomes are not the results of action in the health and nutrition sectors alone.
• Participates with UNICEF, Government, non-government organizations (NGOs) and other partners in the development of strategies and approaches relating to Health & Nutrition.
• Monitors status to ensure achievement of strategic results in line with agreed Annual and Country Programme objectives and adopts corrective action to meet programme/project objectives.
• Contributes to the identification and introduction of new approaches, methods and practices in project management for improving programme delivery with emphasis on sustainability of intervention and community participation.

3. Work plan and objectives are strategically established, implementation support is effectively
provided, and planned results are timely delivered through application of technical expertise.
• As functional leader of the Health & Nutrition team, exercises technical and programme management leadership for the development and implementation of the results-based sectoral work plan and objectives as well as for administration and monitoring of sectoral project activities, consistent with the defined project strategic priorities and approaches.
• Ensures objectives and targets are timely achieved, through full coordination between activities and collaboration with implementing partners, by providing guidance and support to staff of Health & Nutrition.

4. Project implementation progress is monitored and evaluated for adjustment, acceleration and improvement of program delivery and sustainability.
• Undertakes field visits to monitor programmes, as well as participates in periodic programme reviews with government counterparts and other partners. Identifies necessary action for programme adjustments.
• Provides technical advice and support to government officials and implementing partners in the planning and management of the Health & Nutrition interventions and ensures their sustainability.
• Support maintenance of information system for monitoring gender sex aggregated data.

5. Technical support is provided to government and NGOs at various stages of the project implementation, monitoring and evaluation, including capacity building of government personnel and beneficiaries.
• Provides technical support to government and NGOs in the planning, development, implementation, and evaluation stages of the programmes/projects.
• Identifies training needs; designs and conducts training and orientation activities for government personnel and beneficiaries and other relevant partners, for the purpose of capacity building, sustainability of programme/projects and expansion of coverage of services.

6. The capacities of Country Office staff are strengthened through effective capacity building support in the development, implementation and management of the Health & Nutrition programme.
• Designs and implement a staff training/development programme to upgrade the capacity of the Country Office staff with regard to competencies for technical requirements as well as for the programme development, implementation and management of Health & Nutrition programme.
• Conducts relevant orientation, workshop, training and staff learning/development activities, including relying on technical partnership with collaborating agencies to provide state –of the –art -technical information to staff.

7. UNICEF and Government accountability is ensured for supply and non-supply assistance and disbursement of programme funds for Health & Nutrition.
• Coordinating with Operations and Supply staff on supply and non-supply assistance activities, ensures UNICEF, Government partner and all implementing partners accountability.
• Certifies disbursements of funds, ensuring those activities are within established plans of action and programme budget allotments; and to orientate and train Government and UNICEF implementing partners in UNICEF supply and non-supply policies and procedures.
• Monitors the overall allocation and disbursement of programme funds, making sure that funds are properly coordinated, monitored and liquidated.
• Submits financial status reports to management in compliance with the regulations and guidelines.

8. Effective working relationships with internal and external counterparts are kept maintained for advocacy, technical coordination, information sharing and knowledge networking.
• Coordinates activities and exchanges information and knowledge with other programmes to contribute to achievement of overall country programme objectives.
• Builds up effective monitoring, knowledge database/network and reporting systems to ensure the availability of current and accurate programme information/data, and contributes to the development of communication materials and strategies to support advocacy and community participation for Health & Nutrition; and to widen partnership with all stakeholder at national, regional , district, community and household levels as well as with funding partners including the private sector in order to accelerate achievement of Health and Nutrition related MDGs goals.
• Facilitates partnership and collaboration with external counterparts, including those of the UN and national partners, in order to improve the ability to collect and disseminate relevant data, and to exchange information on programme/project development and implementation.
• Facilitates exchange of knowledge, information, experience and lessons learned.

9. Relevant and strategic information is kept available to support the Health & Nutrition programme by the effective implementation of an integrated monitoring system.
• In collaboration with monitoring and evaluation and program communication colleagues, conducts accurate and timely monitoring and data collection, and supports an integrated monitoring system, in consultation with all relevant stakeholders.
• Coordinates with partners to ensure that monitoring systems are properly designed, and that data collection and analysis from field visits are coordinated and standardised across programmes to feed into to programme performance monitoring.
• Provides assistance for evaluation exercises, programme mid-term review, annual sector review and preview meetings with Government counterparts and all other relevant partners.
• Analyses and evaluates monitoring data, ensures achievement of objectives and proposes corrective measures as appropriate.

10. Required programme/project reports are timely prepared in compliance with the established guidelines and procedures.
• Contributes to the timely preparation of annual sector status reports and shares information with relevant partners as required in compliance with the established guidelines and procedures.
• Participates in the preparation of all programme reports for management, Board, donors, budget reviews, programme analysis, and annual reports.

11. Emergency preparedness is maintained, and in emergencies, emergency responses with effective coordination are provided.
• Supports emergency preparedness plan relating to Health & Nutrition.
• In case of emergency, assists in monitoring and assessing the nature and extent of the emergency in the assigned area, as required.
• Provides assistance to the Country Office in identifying where support is required. In line with the Core Commitments for Children (CCCs) in Humanitarian Action, strengthens partnerships with the Health and Nutrition humanitarian actors s within the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC).

12. Other assigned duties and responsibilities are effectively accomplished.
Assumes any other duties and responsibilities assigned as appropriate to the purpose of this post, and delivers the results as required.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
• Education: Advanced university degree in Public Health and Nutrition, Child Development, Water Sanitation, Public Administration, Social Policy, Social Development, Community Development, or other relevant disciplines.
• Work Experience: Minimum five years of professional work experience at the national and international levels in planning, programming, implementation monitoring and evaluation of technical cooperation programmes related to Health and Nutrition. Professional work experience in a managerial position, or a technical expert position in child survival & development, health and nutrition care. Field work experience
• Language Proficiency: Fluency in English and Russian is required. Fluency in Kazakh would be an asset.
• Competency Profile:
a) Core competencies:
• Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (1)
• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (2)
• Works Collaboratively with others (2)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (2)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (2)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (2)
• Drives to achieve impactful results (2)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)
b) Functional Competencies:
• Analyzing (3)
• Deciding and Initiating Action (2)
• Applying Technical Expertise (3)
c) Technical Competencies (Reference to UNICEF and/or UN in terms of technical knowledge requirements (1 and 2 below) are applicable only to those who are or have been the staff members of UNICEF or the UN common system):
1) Specific Technical Knowledge Required
• Knowledge of the technical areas of UNICEF programmes (e.g., PMTCT, HIV/AIDS, malaria, WASH, EPI)
• Knowledge of theories, principles and methods in the selective fields of the following:
Public Health & Nutrition, International Health & Nutrition, Public Health & Nutrition Policy and Management, Child-Neonatal and Maternal Health & Nutrition Care, Family and Community Health & Nutrition, Health & Nutrition System Management, Public Health & Nutrition Preparedness, Health & Nutrition Emergency Preparedness, Nutritional Epidemiology, Nutrition Research, Health & Nutrition Education, Health & Nutrition Promotion and Disease Prevention, Educational Interventions in Health & Nutritional Care.
• Knowledge of the global commitment on aid effectiveness, including the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness, the Accra Agenda for Action as well as knowledge of the Global Programme Partnerships (GPPs).
2) Common Technical Knowledge Required
Knowledge of theories and practices in:
• Child and Maternal Nutrition and Health
• Nutrition and Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
• Public Health and Nutrition
• Educational Interventions in Health and Nutrition Care
• Environmental Health and Nutrition
• Knowledge Management
• Computer software application, including word processing, spreadsheet and corporate software packages
• Gender equality and diversity awareness
General knowledge of:
• Methodology of programme/project management
• Programmatic goals, visions, positions, policies and strategies in Health & Nutrition
• Knowledge of global health and nutrition issues, specifically relating to children and women, and the current trends, methods and approaches.
• Policies and strategy to address national and global health and nutrition issues, particularly relating to conflicts, natural disasters, and recovery.
• Emergency programme policies, goals, strategies and approaches.
3) Technical Knowledge to be Acquired/Enhanced
• Knowledge of the latest developments and technology in related fields.
• Knowledge of local conditions and country legislation relevant to UNICEF programmes
• UN policies and strategy to address international humanitarian issues and the responses.
• UN common approaches to programmatic issues and UNICEF positions
• UN security operations and guidelines.
• UNICEF strategic framework for partnerships and collaborative relationships.

For every Child, you demonstrate…
UNICEF’s core values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability (https://www.unicef.org/about/unicef-culture)

View our core competencies framework at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

View our  Functional Competencies.pdf

Remarks:
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.
• Candidates must be of the citizenship of Kazakhstan.
• 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.
• 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.