Nutrition Officer (SBC) at the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF)

Job Title: Nutrition Officer (SBC)

Purpose of the Assignment

• Under the general guidance of the Chief- Nutrition and Child Development Section and in close coordination with the SBC Section and supported by a Nutrition Manager, the Nutrition Officer- SBC will contribute for the design, development, contextualization and localization, management, monitoring and evaluation of the evidence-based, inclusive and innovative National SBC Strategy and Costed Plan, aimed to contribute to enhancing dietary intake, preventing common childhood illnesses and improving MIYCN and care practices and will be responsible for initiating, implementing, monitoring, evaluating, and reporting the progress of key deliverables of the nutrition programme within the country programme.
• The Nutrition Officer-SBC will provide technical guidance throughout the programming processes to facilitate the administration and achievement of concrete and sustainable results in maternal, infant and child nutrition programmes/ projects in support of the Country Programme. This will be carried out according to plans, allocation, results-based-management approaches and methodology (RBM), as well as UNICEF’s Strategic Plans, standards of performance, and accountability framework.

How Can You Make a Difference? 

• Supported by a Nutrition Manager, the Nutrition Officer-SBC will support the development and preparation of the SBC Strategy and Costed Plan aimed to contribute to enhancing dietary diversity, preventing common childhood illnesses and improving MIYCN; diets, services and care practices.
• The position will be responsible for initiating, implementing, monitoring, evaluating, and reporting the progress of key deliverables of the nutrition programme within the country programme.
• The Nutrition Officer will provide technical guidance throughout the programming processes to facilitate the administration and achievement of concrete and sustainable results in maternal, infant and child nutrition programmes/ projects.

Major Responsibilities
Summary of Key Functions / Accountabilities:
Support To Programme Development and Planning:

• Generate and utilize research, data, and evidence to inform the design, measurement, and monitoring of SBC programs and outcomes in both development and emergency contexts and to build the evidence base for SBC.
• Contribute to and support the preparation, design, development, and state-level adoption of a robust gender transformative behavior change communication strategy to improve maternal, infant, and young child nutrition.
• Participate in strategic programme discussions on the planning of gender-sensitive nutrition programmes/ projects, on behavior change communication, with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Formulate, design, and contribute to the development of high-quality nutrition programme proposals, ensuring alignment with UNICEF’s Strategic Plans, Country Programme, and coherence/ integration with the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), regional strategies, as well as national priorities, plans and competencies.
• Establish specific goals, objectives, strategies, and implementation plans based on results-based planning terminology and methodology (RBM). Prepare high-quality documentation for programme review and approval.
• Work closely and collaboratively with colleagues and partners to discuss gender and nutrition transformative strategies and methodologies and to determine national priorities/ competencies to ensure the achievement of concrete and sustainable results.
• Provide technical and operational support throughout all stages of programming processes to ensure integration, coherence, and harmonization of programmes/ projects with other UNICEF sectors and achievement of results as planned and allocated.
• Identify, disseminate, and adopt best practices and innovative approaches and technology in SBC, integrate them in programme approaches across food system, social protection, WASH and ECD interventions and support SBC and sectoral teams in implementing them.

Programme Management, Monitoring, and Delivery of Results:

• Plan and/ or collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to establish gender transformative monitoring benchmarks, performance indicators, and UNICEF/ UN system indicators and measurements, to assess and strengthen performance accountability, coherence, and delivery of concrete and sustainable results for the assigned sector in nutrition programmes.
• Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual reviews with government and other stakeholders to assess progress and to determine required action and interventions to achieve results.
• Prepare and assess monitoring and evaluation reports to identify gaps, strengths and/or weaknesses in programme management. Identify lessons learned and use the knowledge gained for development planning and timely intervention to achieve goals.
• Actively monitor programmes and projects through field visits, surveys and/ or exchange of information with partners and stakeholders to assess progress. Identify bottlenecks and potential problems and take timely decisions to resolve issues and/ or refer to relevant officials for timely resolution.
• Monitor and verify the optimum and appropriate use of sectoral programme resources (financial, administrative, and other assets) confirming compliance with organizational rules, regulations, procedures, donor commitments, and standards of accountability. Ensure timely reporting and liquidation of resources.
• Prepare regular high-quality programme/ project reports and databases for management, donors, and partners to keep them informed of programme progress.

Technical and Operational Support to Programme Implementation:

• Supported by the Nutrition Manager, conduct in-depth analysis of current SBC interventions under nutrition and recommend corrective actions to guide and inform programme strategies across the country.
• Implement SBC activities that are backed by social and behavioural evidence and strong engagement and participation mechanisms in both development and humanitarian contexts.
• Coordinate with stakeholders and partners for the implementation of community engagement and SBC in humanitarian actions.
• Work with nutrition stakeholders to build consensus on a harmonized national behavior change communication strategy, plans and materials.
• Provide technical guidance and operational support to government counterparts, NGO partners, UN system partners and other country office partners/ donors on the interpretation, application and understanding of UNICEF policies, strategies, processes, best practices, and behavior change communication approaches on nutrition and related issues to support programme development planning, management, implementation, and delivery of results.
• Participate in discussions with national and sub-national stakeholders to promote nutrition and development issues, especially in the areas of behavior change communication.
• Draft policy papers, briefs, and other strategic programme materials for management use, information and/ or consideration.

Networking and Partnership-Building:

• Build and sustain effective close working partnerships with nutrition sector government counterparts and national stakeholders through active sharing of information and knowledge.
• Represent UNICEF in external meetings as appropriate.
• Facilitate programme implementation and build the capacity of stakeholders to achieve programme goals on maternal and child rights as well as social justice and equity.
• Prepare high-quality communication and information materials for Country Office programme advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnerships/ alliances and support fundraising for nutrition programmes (maternal, newborn and child survival and development).
• Participate and/ or represent UNICEF in inter-agency discussions, ensuring that UNICEF’s position, interests, and priorities are fully considered and integrated in the UNDAF development planning and agenda setting.
• Advocate for the inclusion of community engagement and social and behavioral approaches in sectoral workplans based on active participation in sectoral programme planning and reviews and viable recommendations for the integration of SBC for nutrition. Advocate internally and externally for integration of SBC nutrition in national systems, in the country programme, and in sectoral plans

 Innovation, Knowledge Management and Capacity Building:

• Identify, design, and/or organize SBC training materials and opportunities for staff and partners, including on new approaches such as behavioural analysis, behavioural insights, human-centered design, social listening, and social accountability mechanisms. Use and adapt existing UNICEF learning resources, guidelines and training materials to build SBC capacity among staff, implementing partners and relevant government and non-government counterparts.
• Apply and introduce innovative approaches and good practices to build the capacity of partners and stakeholders, and to support the implementation and delivery of normative change.
• Keep abreast, research, benchmark, and implement best and cutting-edge practices in nutrition management and information systems. Assess, institutionalize, and share best practices and knowledge learned.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of policies and procedures to ensure optimum efficiency and efficacy of sustainable programmes and projects.
• Organize and implement capacity-building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients and stakeholders to promote sustainable results on nutrition-related programmes and projects.

Minimum Requirements

• Education: A university degree in one of the following fields is required: Nutrition, Public Health, Health and Nutrition Promotion, Nutritional Epidemiology, Global/ International Health and Nutrition, Health / Nutrition Research, Policy and/or Management, or another Health-related science field. A university degree in the social/ behavioral sciences (Communication, Sociology, Media, Nutrition, Health Education) with proven experience in SBC strategy and plan development for specific programmes is an asset.
• Work Experience: A minimum of two years of professional experience in a developing country in one or more of the following areas is required: nutrition, public health, social behavior change communication, social development, nutrition planning and management, or maternal, infant and child health/nutrition care including public advocacy. Experience in health/ nutrition programme/ project development in a UN system agency or organization is an asset. Prior experience developing SBC strategies and costed operational plans. Knowledge and prior experience working on MIYCN/IYCF is a plus. Experience in conducting qualitative interviews with stakeholders.
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English. Knowledge of another official UN language or local language of the duty station is considered as an asset.

Application Instructions:

The application deadline is on 29th January, 2025. Therefore, qualified and interested candidates can “CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT APPLICATION” It is important to visit the official website (link found below) for detailed information on how to apply successfully for this vacancy.

Official Website: https://www.unicef.org/