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Under the overall supervision of the Regional Advisor (RA) Nutrition, the position will be responsible for technical support and strategic direction on Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition (MIYCN), including micronutrient supplementation, first foods and food fortification. The work of the Specialist is guided by the UNICEF global nutrition strategy and its regional contextualization, notably the multi-system approach. The Nutrition Specialist provides substantive support to the RA for the work of the Nutrition Section, in terms of authoritative technical assistance, oversight on implementation of multi-country grants and initiatives and quality assurance to the MIYCN aspect of nutrition programs in countries, contribution to the regional aspects of the nutrition section’s work on MIYCN, including development of tools and guidance, innovation, evidence generation and knowledge development and exchange. The position oversees partnerships with regional economic communities (RECs) in the region, as well as with other stakeholders including UN agencies, NGOs, donors, academia and others on MIYCN.
Management and advisory support to the Regional Adviser
Provide advice to the RA in establishing, implementing and monitoring the MIYCN components of the annual work plan.
Ensure results for MIYCN are achieved according to schedule and performance standards, and report to RA critical issues for timely action.
Provide technical assistance and advice to colleagues in the section on the MIYCN aspects of programming and implementation to enable them to achieve results.
Programme development and planning
Provide technical support and guidance on the preparation, design and updating of regional and country situation analyses on MIYCN, to inform the regional and country agendas.
Provide technical and strategic assistance to country offices to formulate, design and prepare the MIYCN components of nutrition programmes across multiple systems and develop implementation plans.
Provide support for country offices to develop the MIYCN components of humanitarian response plans, HACs, appeals, proposals and other relevant emergency documents, as well as resilience strategies.
Work closely and collaboratively with colleagues in other UNICEF sectors, particularly ECD, Gender, Disability Inclusion, Emergency, SBC, Health, WASH, Social Policy, Supply and Communications and with HQ. Act as focal point of the Nutrition Section for ECD and for Disability Inclusion.
Provide authoritative technical and operational support on MIYCN throughout all stages of programming processes.
Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results
Collaborate with internal and external partners to establish monitoring benchmarks, performance indicators and other UNICEF system indicators and measurements to assess and strengthen performance accountability and results for MIYCN.
Provide quality assurance and review of country office annual reports, NutriDash, RAM, CSIs and results related to MIYCN and review of RO/CO technical assistance compacts.
Serve as focal point of ESARO and of the Nutrition Section for selected country offices.
Supervise the outposted nutrition colleague (TA) in the SADC Secretariat and oversee the development and implementation of UNICEF-SADC workplans and the development and implementation of policy decisions, guidance documents, tools and resources.
Contribute to the design of assessments, evaluations and research related to MIYCN and review reports. Identify lessons learned and disseminate and use knowledge.
Advisory services and technical support
Provide advice to key government officials, NGO partners, UN system partners, and other country office partners/donors on policies, strategies, best practices and approaches on MIYCN-related issues.
Participate in strategic programme discussions and planning to provide technical advice, contribute to policy discussions, and promote appropriate MIYCN interventions across multiple systems.
Prepare policy papers, briefs and other strategic programme materials on MIYCN for management use, information and/or consideration.
Participate in emergency preparedness initiatives in countries, assessments and response to emergencies in country (surge) on MIYCN. Coordinate and provide assistance to the 21 Country Offices in identifying where support is required.
Advocacy, networking and partnership building
Build and strengthen strategic partnerships on wasting & NiE with relevant UN agencies, RECs, government counterparts, NGOs, national stakeholders, global and regional partners, allies, donors, and academia.
Build capacity, exchange knowledge and expertise, and/or promote cooperation and alliances to achieve programme goals on MIYCN.
Participate and/or represent UNICEF in appropriate inter-agency discussions and planning on MIYCN -related issues.
Contribute to design and implementation of strengthened resilience programming for nutrition with a focus on the MIYCN components.
Contribute to design and implementation of the UNICEF agenda on climate and nutrition, including mapping, analysis, research, recommendations, investment cases and advocacy for climate-sensitive nutrition actions, fundraising, technical assistance and documentation.
Contribute to designing and implementing of the UNICEF agenda on food systems for children, especially the first foods component, including mapping, analysis, research, recommendations, investment cases and advocacy for child-sensitive food system actions, fundraising, technical assistance and documentation.
Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building
Promote critical thinking, innovative approaches and good practices for sustainable and high coverage MIYCN programmes in relevant systems in all contexts.
Keep abreast, research, benchmark, and implement best and cutting-edge practices in nutrition management and information systems for MIYCN.
Contribute to the development of policies and procedures and introduce innovation and best practices on MIYCN strategies and programmes across multiple systems.
Organize, plan and/or implement capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of country office Nutrition staff, Government counterparts and other stakeholders to promote and deliver results on MIYCN. The successful individual will be responsible for the following key accountabilities:
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
Advanced university degree in Public Health or Nutrition (preferably with specialized training in public health and nutrition planning, health and nutrition education, health care system management, or epidemiology), Child Development, Social Policy, Social Development, Community Development, or other relevant disciplines.
Eight years of professional work experience at the national and international levels in planning, programming, implementation monitoring and evaluation of nutrition programmes. Professional work experience in a managerial/leadership position, or a technical expert position in nutrition.
Background/familiarity and specific work experience on Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition (including micronutrients) programmes
Developing country work experience and familiarity with emergency is an asset
Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.
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