UNICEF seeks to recruit a chief nutrition (P5), Niamey, Niger #86172
Job no : 517711
Work type : Fixed Term Staff
Location : Niger
Categories : Nutrition, P-5
UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to protect the rights of every child. UNICEF has spent 70 years working to improve the lives of children and their families. Defending children’s rights throughout their lives requires a global presence, aiming to produce results and understand their effects. UNICEF believes all children have a right to survive, thrive and fulfill their potential – to the benefit of a better world. And we never give up.
For Every Child, hope
The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, 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.
How can you make a difference?
Under the overall guidance of the Deputy Representative, accountable for the development, design, planning, implementation and management of the Nutrition project/programme within the country programme; accountable for ensuring that all aspects of the Nutrition project/programme promote gender equality, with an emphasis on gender disaggregation and gender inequalities to guide policies, programmes, monitoring and evaluation.
As head of section, direct, lead and manage a group of professional and support staff to develop, manage and administer the sectoral or inter-sectoral project/programme, with a view to gender mainstreaming across all aspects of the country programme.
I – Key Expected Results :
- Manage effectively project, sectoral or inter-sectoral planning, development and management by supervising, coordinating, or supporting the timely completion of the Situational Analysis and its periodic update through accurate and complete monitoring and analysis and the timely preparation or finalization of sectoral input addressing gender inequalities and determinants of gender inequality. Ensure timely submission. Monitor developments at the international, regional and provincial levels; develop methodologies and new approaches for improving Nutrition programme effectiveness. Provide seasoned technical recommendations and advice on major programme directions and on introduction of new initiatives in the country ;
- Ensure effective knowledge management by drafting or finalizing sectoral documents and reports such as the Country Programme Recommendation and Plans of Action as well as through sharing of implementation experience, lessons learned knowledge/information/data exchange, highlighting gender inequalities and interventions to achieve gender equality ;
- Promote the quality of rights-based Nutrition projects and programmes through the formulation of project goals and strategies and approaches. Bring coherence, synergy and added value to sectoral or project management processes using a results-based management approach to planning and design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation ;
- Responsible for development of the sectoral work plan as well as implementation and monitoring of assigned project/sectoral activity, ensuring compliance with project strategies and approaches; with an emphasis on promoting a shared understanding and approach to reducing gender inequalities and achieve gender mainstreaming ;
- Ensure project, sectoral or inter-sectoral efficiency and delivery through a rigorous and transparent approach to evaluation. Participation in major evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual sector review meetings with government counterparts. Ensure the preparation of annual Nutrition sector status reports, ensuring that quantitative and qualitative lessons learned in achieving gender equality in Nutrition are included as a standard feature ;
- Promote the organization goals of UNICEF through advocacy and policy dialogue in the Nutrition sector through active engagement in communication, networking and participation at every opportunity inside and outside UNICEF, leveraging the strength of UNICEF mission, goals and programmes ;
- Coordinates with Operations and Supply staff on supply and non-supply assistance activities ensuring proper and timely UNICEF and Government accountability. Certifies disbursements of funds, monitors and submits financial status reports to management in compliance with the regulations and guidelines ;
- Provide technical and policy advice to the Senior Programme Officer on Nutrition project or sectoral strategies, planning and implementation; provide interpretation of guidelines and organizational policy, contributing to the development of new guidelines through the programme cycle ;
- Ensure exchange of information, experience, identify new strategies and courses of action to accelerate/improve delivery of services and achieve Nutrition programme requirements and objectives.
- Conduct field visits to monitor programmes and conduct periodic programme reviews with Government counterparts and other partners ;
- Collaborate with Communication for Development sector to ensure development of effective communication materials and strategies to support advocacy and social mobilization efforts ;
- Coordinate with Regional Advisers and HQ Officers. Collaborate with other Project or Programme Officers to ensure the integration of the project/sectoral programme with other sectors ;
- Collaborate with the Operations Section and Government authorities to establish and maintain sound internal controls supportive of Nutrition project or sectoral planning and implementation, to coordinate financial and supply management requirements as well as to ensure accountability ;
- Interact with Government and other partners, NGOs, UN and bilateral agencies in the different stages of Nutrition programme/project implementation to follow up on agreements and recommendations. Provide technical support and guidance on appropriate technical, financial and institutional capacity building measures to achieve Nutrition programme goals.
To qualify as a champion for every child you will have…
- Advanced university degree in the combination of the selective disciplines relevant to the following areas : Nutrition, Public Health & Nutrition, International Health & Nutrition, Public Health & Nutrition Policy and Management, Nutritional Epidemiology, Health & Nutrition Education, Health & Nutrition Promotion and Disease Prevention, Public Health Preparedness, Nutrition Emergency Preparedness, or other relevant discipline(s) ;
- Ten years of relevant professional work experience ;
- Developing country work experience and field work experience ;
- Background/familiarity with Emergency ;
- Fluency in English and French required. Knowledge of local working language of the duty station is an asset.
For every Child, you demonstrate…
UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.
The Functional Competencies required for this post are
- Leading and supervising (III) ;
- Formulating strategies/concepts (III) ;
- Analyzing (III) ;
- Relating and networking (III) ;
- Deciding and initiating action (III) ;
- Persuading and influencing (II)
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.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.
“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.”
Applications close : W. Central Africa Standard Time