Nutrition Specialist - UNICEF (Apply by: 26 Aug'14)

United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) the world’s leading organization working for the rights of children, invites applications for the following vacancy:

Position: Nutrition Specialist

Location: Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh

Closing Date: 26 August 2014

Purpose of the Post

The Nutrition Specialist will be responsible for facilitating and influencing the State Government’s policy, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, for the Child Development and Nutrition programme in Rajasthan.

The incumbent will work at the State and District level. He/She also works under the daily supervision of the Chief of Field Office or Programme Manager, and take sector specific guidance from the Child Development and Nutrition Section (Technical Centre of Excellence) in Delhi.

Major Duties and Responsibilities 

(1) Programme Implementation: With guidance from the Child Development and Nutrition Section (Technical Centre of Excellence), proposes designs for the Child Development and Nutrition Programme.  When agreed, prepares, implements, monitors and evaluates the UNICEF assisted Child Development and Nutrition programme or specific project(s) such as community based early child care models, interventions to address micronutrient malnutrition and ICDS systems quality improvement. 

This includes the effective design, implementation and monitoring of Child Development and Nutrition interventions in integrated and other intensive districts.

Analyzes and evaluates data and/or takes corrective action when necessary, to meet programme/project objectives.
Contributes to and enables the concurrent monitoring and reporting on performance indicators of the Integrated Child Development Services (Government flagship programme), accreditation systems and /or UNICEF–NGO managed programmes under the Project Co-operation Agreement.

Integrates input/advice from the Child Development and Nutrition Section (Technical Centre for Excellence) in Delhi.

(2) Influencing Policy: Analyses and recommends policies, systems of management, risk allocation and coordination systems around the Child Development and Nutrition programme.

(3) Building Partnerships: Convenes strategic partnerships to impact on overall policies for Child Development and Nutrition, to support programmes and resources in the States

Interacts with national and international agencies, missions and commissions, on the management of the Child Development and Nutrition programme. Participates in meetings with Ministries/Departments of Women and Child Development, Health and Family Welfare (and others as needed), responsible for programme/project review, and follows up on implementation of recommendations and agreements.
Fosters partnerships for Child Development and Nutrition in the state with government, other agencies, professional bodies, technical institutions and NGO networks in the state.
Assists in the development and/or introduction of new approaches, methods and practices in project management and evaluation.

(4) Monitoring and Evaluation: Facilitates the review of systems and capacity related to delivery of services for Child Development and Nutrition, and the interventions to improve such systems and capacities.

Undertakes field visits to monitor programmes (including cash and supply assistance), as well as conducting periodic programme reviews with government counterparts and other partners. Identifies and recommends necessary action for adjustments in the Child Development and Nutrition programme. Provides advice and assistance to government officials and other partners such as the World Bank, World Food Programme, and Micronutrient Initiative in the planning and management of programme/projects.
Contributes to the preparation of the Situation Analysis, led by SPME, by compiling data, analyzing and evaluating information, and writing the Child Development and Nutrition chapter of the Analysis.

(5) Capacity Building: Promotes intensive focus and innovative programming in select districts to bring about evidence for decision-making, improvements in coverage and quality of immunization and MCHN session integrated service delivery for Children under two years; support community involvement in health care; promote operations research. Offers assessment of supply needs and management support to disease eradication and control, with specific reference to neonatal conditions.

Assists government authorities, in partnership with training institutions, to plan and organize capacity building programmes in Immunisation services and launch of newer vaccines. Identifies training needs for the purpose of capacity building and sustainability of programme/projects. Provides technical expertise as required, facilitates learning exchanges as well as policy influencing.

Supports/undertakes research that provides tracking on social inclusion in new-born care service interventions.

(6) Inter-sectoral collaboration: Proactively collaborates within the state and/or sector with programme colleagues to give and receive knowledge and assistance. Pooling resources for more effective programming. Assists in development of appropriate communication and information strategy to support and/or advocate development of the Child Development and Nutrition programme.

Facilitates the planning and formulation of Behaviour Development/Behaviour Communication Change initiatives in state institutions, to enable more effective change in key care behaviours related to Infant and Young Child Feeding and family care practices.
Supports/undertakes research that provides tracking on social inclusion in Child Development and Nutrition interventions.

(7) Work plan development: Responsible for the development of the Child Development and Nutrition work plan, and ensures compliance with specific assigned objectives. Provides guidance and support to subordinate staff to manage and implement projects.

(8) Supplies and Cash Assistance: Coordinates with the Operations/Supply staff/programme 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 Senior Programme Officer or Representative as required.

(9) Report Writing: Writes 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

Master’s degree from a recognized University in one of the disciplines relevant to the following areas: Public Health & Nutrition, Health Sciences, International Health & Nutrition, Family Health & Nutrition, Nutritional Epidemiology, Health & Nutrition Education, Health & Nutrition Promotion and Disease Prevention, Public Health, Health Emergency Preparedness, or other relevant discipline(s).

b) Work Experience 

Minimum five years of progressively responsible professional work experience in project administration and monitoring & evaluation of child development and nutrition programmes at state or national level.

c) Languages 

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

d) Competency Profile 

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

ii) Core Competencies (Required)

• Communication [II]
• Working with People [I]
• Drive for Results [I]

iii) Functional Competencies (Required)

• Leading and Supervising    [ I ]
• Formulating Strategies and Concepts [ I ]
• Analyzing [ III]
• Relating and Networking [ II ]
• Deciding and Initiating Action [ II]
• Applying Technical Expertise [ III ]

iv) Technical Knowledge

a) Specific Technical Knowledge Required 

• Advanced knowledge of one or more of the technical areas of UNICEF programmes.

• Advanced Technical Knowledge of theories, principles and methods in one of the following areas:

* Public Health & Nutrition, International Health & Nutrition, Public Health & Nutrition Policy and Management, Population and Family Health & Nutrition, Public Health Preparedness, Health Emergency Preparedness
* Nutritional Epidemiology, Nutrition Research, Biostatistics, Biochemistry, Socio-medical Sciences,
* Health & Nutrition Education, Health & Nutrition Promotion and Disease Prevention, Educational Interventions in Health & Nutritional Care

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

Knowledge of the 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

c) 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 work plan

e) OTHER SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES :

·         Current knowledge of development issues, strategies, as well as programming policies and procedures in development cooperation. 

·         Drive for results.

·         A strong familiarity as to how public administration systems affect delivery of results for children

·         Understanding of social mobilization and behaviour change communication

·         Understanding of the importance and role of partnerships.

·         Proven ability to conceptualize, innovate, plan and execute ideas, as well as to impart knowledge and teach skills.

·         Analytical, negotiating, communication and advocacy skills.

·         Report writing

·         Computer skills, including internet navigation, and various office applications.

Applications consisting of a cover letter, P11 and an up-to-date CV should be sent to nsb-unicef@sams.co.in by 26 August 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.inand 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.

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.

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.