Nutrition Advisor

Contract

This is a P-4 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 7 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 168,113 USD and 216,746 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

Background Information - Job-specific

Since 2010, the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement has inspired a new way of working collaboratively to end malnutrition, in all its forms. With the governments of SUN Countries in the lead, it unites people—from civil society, the United Nations, donors, businesses and researchers—in a collective effort to improve nutrition. The SUN Strategy 2021–2025 (SUN 3.0) prioritises country leadership and focuses on supporting systemic change at the country level. It seeks to capture the ambition of SUN countries and guide the work of all actors at all levels aligning concerted action behind and responding to commonly agreed national priorities set out by governments in SUN countries.

SUN 3.0 is committed to fundamental, non-negotiable aspects of effective nutrition action, including equity and the principle of leaving no one behind. For its third phase, the SUN Movement will drive forward gender equality and enshrine youth leadership across the Movement. SUN 3.0 will strengthen partnerships to achieve greater impact on nutrition through food systems, health systems, social protection systems, actions by the private sector and humanitarian and development actors, and through education, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and climate change adaptation.

The SUN Movement Secretariat plays a central role in enabling the multiple members and structures of the Movement to work together to advance progress on country-level priorities and the global positioning of nutrition.

The SUN Movement Secretariat comprises approximately 35 personnel, based in Geneva and in various regions globally. All parts of the Movement – member governments, the four SUN networks (Civil Society, United Nations, Business, Donors), the SUN Movement Coordinator and the SUN Movement Secretariat work together to align and focus efforts on priorities within countries.

The SUN Movement Secretariat is hosted by UNOPS.

Role of the Nutrition Advisor

The Nutrition Advisor reports to the SUN Movement Coordinator, UN Assistant Secretary General, who is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day implementation of the SUN Movement Strategy and Roadmap, leads the SUN Movement Global support System and represents the SUN Movement globally.

The role is part of a small global strategic advisory team, to support coordination, representation, advocacy, and liaison tasks with Movement members and stakeholders, and leading engagement with the Lead Group members.

The role works in close collaboration with the Director, SUN Movement Secretariat and the Senior Management Team of the Secretariat to ensure political positioning of nutrition becomes increasingly institutionalised in member countries and stakeholder organisations.

The purpose of the Nutrition Advisor role is to support the Coordinator and the Secretariat in positioning nutrition outcomes as a key maker and marker of sustainable development, generating additional resources and political capital to accelerate nutrition improvement.

The role will support the Coordinator’s function by contributing in shaping the Secretariat’s thinking and execution of new concepts, approaches and priorities for the future direction of the SUN Movement, including its Global Support System.

Functional Responsibilities

1. Strategic country support and capacity building

• Support the Country Action Team in quality and effectiveness of coordination in response to nutrition issues raised by SUN stakeholders at country and regional levels including, governments, UN agencies and others.
• In collaboration with various stakeholders across the SUN Movement (including MEAL/KM and communication and advocacy functions) lead the development and dissemination of key nutrition-related lessons for key stakeholders.
• Provide advice and support to the Country Action Team, to integrate nutrition into monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning plans.
• Contribute to the development, implementation, and/or review of SUN-supported research on nutrition innovation.
• Support the capacity strengthening of staff across the Secretariat in terms of nutrition, including advice and training as required

2. Strategic nutrition action- Identify, monitor and analyse trends in nutrition and emerging issues with respect to key principles and core themes of the SUN Movement. - Assess national, regional and global nutrition trends that might affect the SUN Movement; recommend solutions/possible actions by the Coordinator, Secretariat and/or Global Support System (GSS) in response. - Advise, guide and support the analysis and direction setting of the SUN Movements nutrition work, with particular consideration to national and global policies and strategies, multi-sectoral progress and inter-agency collaboration. - Develop documents for and input to the SUN Movement’s planning processes, including written briefings. - Make recommendations for the SUN Movement’s actions across nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive sectors, through strengthened food and health systems, and with a focus on gender and economic equity. - Work across the Strategic Advisory Team, to identify opportunities to increase investment both by SUN Member countries and by international partners in nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive measures. - Identify other global challenges that affect nutrition and the work of the SUN Movement, either directly or indirectly, such as climate change, conflict, displacement, and food systems, as well as a focus on equity and social inclusion, accountability, corporate responsibility and financing.

3. Alliance building, networking, policy and strategy guidance, and advocacy - In collaboration with key stakeholders across the Movement and Secretariat, contribute to the development and implementation of nutrition-related policy engagement. - Provide advice on key (potential) partners in food systems/nutrition/health and education including UN family, national and international NGOs and associations and civil society. - Collaborate with Communication and External Relations Advisor to ensure visibility of activities with donors and press, including press releases, meetings and field visits, as well as strengthened communication activities around nutrition interventions. - Participate in advocacy efforts for nutrition interventions to governments, donors and other actors, explore possibilities and engage with new donors. - Liaise closely with nutrition colleagues across the Movement, in key nutrition partner agencies (particularly UNICEF, WFP, GAIN, FAO, Save the Children) and with inter-agency coordination efforts to maximise synergy and coherence. - Participate in conferences, seminars and academic fora related to his/her assigned area of expertise. - Represent the Coordinator and/or the SUN Movement Secretariat (when requested) in public events, task forces, working groups, etc. on nutrition, food security and social sector activities.

4. Support to the Coordinator- Develop and maintain relations with government officials, donors, missions and other SUN stakeholders at the working level to understand issues and policies of mutual concern. - Contribute nutrition expertise to notes, background papers, talking points, speeches and other correspondence for the Coordinator in collaboration with the Communication and External Affairs Advisor, Political Affairs Advisor and Food Systems Advisor. - Provide expert information to the Coordinator regarding nutrition matters related to the positioning of the SUN Movement. - Support the Coordinator’s function by contributing in shaping the Secretariat’s thinking and execution of new nutrition concepts, approaches and priorities for the future direction of the SUN Movement, including its Global Support System. - Support the Coordinator to mobilise financial and technical resources in support of nutrition interventions that are likely to be effective. - Identify and prioritise evidence-informed actions and make the case for investing in nutrition. - Monitor nutrition-related events in order to ensure appropriate positioning of the SUN Movement and identify opportunities for appropriately positioning the role of the Coordinator.

Impact of Results The effective and successful achievement of results will support the SUN Movement and its Secretariat to achieve in-country nutrition impact and its vision of a world free from malnutrition in all its forms by 2030.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

A. Education: - Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in nutrition or other relevant field is required. - A bachelor's degree with a combination of two additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the master's degree.

B. Work Experience:- A minimum of seven (7) years professional experience in nutrition, public health, related research or planning or management in relevant areas of maternal, infant and child nutrition at the international level, some of which preferably in a developing country is required. - Proven track record of producing high quality written reports and other materials pertaining to nutrition-related activities is required. - Experience in health/nutrition/food security programme/project development and management in an international organisation is preferred. - Experience in nutrition and/or food security policy analysis and engagement is preferred. - Experience working with government partners, donor agencies and local partners is preferred.

C. Language: - Fluency in English Language ( Writing, Reading and Speaking) is required. - Knowledge of another official UNOPS language, particularly French is an asset.

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above) Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles. Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role). Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries. Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements. Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving. Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Fixed-term Staff Contract Contract level: ICS 11/ P4 Contract duration: One year initially, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability

For more details about United Nations staff contracts, please follow this link: https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/UN-Staff-Contracts.aspx

Additional Considerations

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

Background information- ECR

Based in Geneva, the Europe and Central Asia Regional Office (ECR) supports UNOPS offices throughout the region through: management, financial and programmatic oversight of global and country-specific portfolios, clusters and operations centres, including hosting services; fund and management advisory services; project implementation; procuring goods and services; and managing human resources.

ECR ensures that projects are executed to the highest standards, providing a shared knowledge base and ensuring that best practices and lessons learned are disseminated between business units and projects across the entire region.

ECR strategy is to:

• Strengthen UNOPS role in operationalizing the Sustainable Development Goals with particular emphasis on health, environment and economic development.
• Position UNOPS in the Balkan sub-region, the Caucasus and Central Asia.
• Strengthen the implementation of ECR global and regional programmes, with revitalized partnerships in infrastructure, procurement and project management.

ECR operates global portfolios from offices in Geneva, Brussels and New York, and country-specific programmes from its operations and project centres located in Eastern Europe and Central Asian countries.

Additional information