Nutrition Officer - UNICEF (Apply by: 29 July'14)

Position: Nutrition Officer

Location: Jaipur, Rajasthan

Purpose of the Post

The Nutrition Officer contributes to the overall effort of country program implementation at state level within the framework of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) program and micronutrients programs under Health and Education.  Takes responsibility for extending technical assistance to support project design, planning, administration, monitoring and evaluation of Nutrition program/project activities.

In addition, provides technical assistance to ICDS, Health and Education Departments in the management of ongoing state-wide programmes, through demonstrated strategies to reduce child under nutrition.

Major Duties and Responsibilities: 

(1) Programme Planning & Implementation: Supports in the establishment/adaptation/refinement of measures for system strengthening and quality improvement to ensure continuity, effectiveness and sustainability of childhood nutrition and micronutrients. 
Assumes responsibility for developing sector-and-project-specific work plans and activities. Supports the government in planning, monitoring and quality implementation of nutrition programs/interventions to address micronutrient malnutrition, (Vitamin A supplementation, Weekly Iron Folic Acid WIFS for adolescent girls and boys and universal access to iodized salt). In the focus districts supports in planning, monitoring and implementation of community based initiatives for ICDS systems quality improvement and for improving desired family and community behaviors.  
Reviews, compiles and analyzes the collected data and information and prepares progress reports.

(2) Monitoring and Evaluation: Contributes to and supports in the review of systems and capacity to deliver child development and nutrition services.  Ensures availability of accurate, complete and up-to-date information required for effective Nutrition program and project design with a focus on addressing inequities.

Contributes to the concurrent monitoring and reporting on performance indicators of the ICDS, accreditation systems and /or UNICEF–NGO managed programs under the Project Co-operation Agreement. 
Undertakes field visits to monitor programs (including cash and supply assistance), as well as conducting periodic program reviews with government counterparts and other partners. 
Contributes to the preparation of Situation Analysis, led by PPE, by compiling data, analyzing and evaluating information, and providing inputs for the Child Development and Nutrition chapter of the Analysis.

(3) Building Partnerships: Collaborates with the state government, NGO Sector and new partners to identify interventions and activities necessary for improved planning, implementation and monitoring of childhood nutrition and micronutrient in the state.  Provides technical assistance and evidence-based support to implementing partners.

Contributes to partnerships for Child Development and Nutrition with government, other agencies, professional bodies, technical institutions and NGO networks in the state. 
Participates in meetings with Departments of Women and Child Development, Health and Family Welfare, Education (and others as needed) and is responsible for program/project reviews, and follows up on implementation of recommendations and agreements. 
Assists in coordination with members of the development community including NGOS, UN and bilateral agencies interactions within the state and supports in exchange of information relating to nutrition sector.

(4) Capacity Building and technical assistance for Government: Supports government authorities, in partnership with training institutions, to plan and organize capacity building programs in ICDS on community based strategies, vitamin A supplementation, WIFS and universal salt iodization. Identifies training needs for the purpose of capacity building and sustainability of program/projects.

Provides technical expertise as required, facilitates learning exchanges as well as policy influencing.
Supports research and documentation on selected nutrition projects and tracking on social inclusion in Child Development and Nutrition interventions.

(5) Influencing Policy: Contributes to policy and program analysis to support effective and coordinated service delivery of maternal and child nutrition programs. 

(6) Inter-sectoral collaboration: Collaborates with other sectors to supports strengthening of inter-sectoral collaboration within the state and/or with program colleagues to share knowledge and programming experiences. Contributes to promote convergence between health, nutrition and hygiene-sanitation strategies, activities, resources and policy. Assists in development of appropriate communication and information strategy to support and/or advocate development of IYCF and micronutrient nutrition to enable more effective change in key care behaviors related to feeding, hygiene and sanitation and disease management.

(7) Supplies and Cash Assistance: Coordinates with the Operations/Supply staff/program support on supply and non-supply assistance activities ensuring proper and timely UNICEF and Government accountability. Certifies disbursements of funds, as per UNICEF rules and procedures monitors and submits financial status reports to Program Manager/Chief Field Office as required.

(8) Report Writing: Drafts programme/project inputs for donor proposals, status reports required for management Board, donors, budget review, Programme analysis, annual reports, case studies, etc.

Qualifications, Skills and Attributes

a) Education
Bachelor’s degree from a recognized University in one of the following disciplines: Public Health & Nutrition, Health Sciences, International Health & Nutrition, Public Health & Nutrition Policy and Management, Family and Community Health & Nutrition, Nutritional Epidemiology, Health & Nutrition Education, Health & Nutrition Promotion and Disease Prevention, Public Health Preparedness, Health Emergency Preparedness, or any other relevant discipline(s).
Training in gender and in nutrition programmes that promote gender equality and asset.

b) Work Experience
Minimum Two years of progressively responsible professional work experience in project administration and monitoring & evaluation of Child Development and Nutrition Programme at district and state level. 

c) Languages 
Fluency in written and spoken English and working knowledge of Hindi required.

d) Competency

i) Core Values (Required)
• Commitment 
• Diversity and Inclusion 
• Integrity 

ii) Core Competencies (Required)
• Communication
• Working with People 
• Drive for Results

iii) Functional Competencies (Required)
• Formulating Strategies and Concepts 
• Analyzing
• Applying Technical Expertise 
• Learning and Researching 
• Planning and Organizing

iv) Technical Knowledge

a) Specific Technical Knowledge Required (for the job)

• Advanced knowledge of one or more of the technical areas of UNICEF programmes
• Rights-based and Results-based approach and programming in UNICEF.

• UNICEF programme policy, procedures and guidelines in the Manual
• Essential Technical Knowledge of the theories, principles, methods and practices in one of the following areas:

(a) Public Health& Nutrition, International Health & Nutrition, Policy and Management, Family and Community Health & Nutrition, Public Health, Health Emergency Preparedness
(b) Nutritional Epidemiology, Nutrition Research, Socio-medical Sciences
(c) Health & Nutrition Education, Health & Nutrition Promotion and Disease Prevention, Educational Interventions in Health & Nutritional Care

b) Common Technical Knowledge Required (for the job group) [I]

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
• Health and Nutrition Education                                           
• Knowledge Management 
• Computer software application, including word processing, spreadsheet and corporate software packages

General knowledge of:

• Methodology of programme/project management

• Programmatic goals, visions, positions, policies and strategies in 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.

• Core commitments for children in emergencies (for all Emergency positions)

• Government development plans and policies

• UNICEF Board endorsed policy papers and agency-wide programmes impacting on nutrition results, e.g. Ending Child Hunger and Under-nutrition, UNICEF Joint Health and Nutrition Strategy

• Office Rolling work plan

• Gender equality and diversity awareness

c) Technical Knowledge to be Acquired/Enhanced (for the Job) [I]

• Knowledge of local conditions and country legislation relevant to UNICEF programs.
• 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.
• Information and Communication Technology administration.

Applications consisting of a cover letter, P11 and an up-to-date CV should be sent to noj-unicef@sams.co.in by 29 July 2014. The P11 form can be downloaded from the following link: http://www.unicef.org/india/careers_1440.htm In order to ensure that your application is sorted correctly, please clearly mention the title and location of the post in the subject line of your e-mail/application. For more details of the posts and full job descriptions, visit the UNICEF India website at www.unicef.in and click on “Careers at UNICEF” at the bottom of the page. Only applications of short listed candidates will be acknowledged. These vacancies are open to Indian Nationals only.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organizations qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organization.

UNICEF does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process including application, interview, meeting, traveling, processing, training etc.

UNICEF is a non-smoking working environment.