Nutrition Officer

Contract

This is a UNV National Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Specialist contracts.

As a result of the Venezuela migration crisis, an estimated 5,4 million Venezuelans - around 30% of them children – have left their home country, including several thousand indigenous people from Venezuela living in shelters of the Operation Acolhida and in local indigenous communities Migrant and refugee children and families face challenges to regularizing their immigration status which can affect their access to social protection, healthcare, early childhood development, education, sustainable livelihoods, and child protection. Meanwhile, the lack of comprehensive public policies on migratory issues in host countries is putting children at higher risk of discrimination, violence, family separation, xenophobia, exploitation and abuse. Those challenges are farther exacerbated for indigenous population from Venezuela. Since 2018, UNICEF Brazil runs a coordinated humanitarian operation for the migrants from Venezuela, based in the northern state of Roraima, later extended to the states of Amazonas (Manaus) and Para (Belem), building on UNICEF’s longstanding presence and programming in these states. Further to this, UNICEF aims to promote an enabling environment for the socio-economic integration of mi-grant children and adolescents across municipalities in 18 states of the Amazon and Semi-Arid regions by including migration in UNICEF’s flagship Municipal Seal Initiative. Through the UNICEF humanitarian programs thousands of children were reached with activities to prevent and treat malnutrition including nutritional assessments, micronutrients supplementation, Severe Acute Malnutrition treatment, among others. As regards Indigenous from Brazil, the state of Roraima hosts 11 indigenous ethnics groups and approximately 58,000 indigenous people, distributed in 12 ethno-regions. UNICEF defined as one of its priorities, the support to civil society organizations that were already working with indigenous peoples, understanding the need for a more specific and differentiated approach in Roraima state. With most of its territory in Roraima, the Terra Indigena Yanomami also endures a critical humanitarian crisis. The aggravated situation led the Government of Brazil to declare a Public Health Emergency on National Importance. The United Nations Country Team (UNCT) appointed UNICEF as co-leader with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to support coordinating the United Nations humanitarian response in the territory. UNICEF joined the national Emergency Operation Center of the Ministry of Health and has representatives in the coordination groups to strengthen coordination ef-forts at national and local levels, linking humanitarian agencies, funding agencies and technical experts, to ensure that humanitarian responses are synchronized, timely and meet agreed standards and benchmarks. UNICEF participates actively on the nutrition response fostering the development of public policies and the direct implementation of services to prevent and treat malnutrition considering the nexus be-tween the humanitarian response to the Yanomami and migration crisis, and the development work planned at the national level, in particular (but not limited to) by the UNICEF Seal. In order to ensure effective support the implementation of activities to prevent malnutrition for migrant and indigenous populations, UNICEF will recruit an UNV Expert who will be based within Health and Nutrition program, in Boa Vista.

Under the general guidance of the Boa Vista Chief Field Office, and with the technical support of the Health and Nutrition officer, the UN Volunteer will support the following duties in the context of UNICEF’s office to response EZ Boa Vista: • Provide technical support for the implementation of projects accounting for the health and nutrition program, including the UNICEF Seal perspective and activities • Manage and coordinate teams to monitoring of infants to prevent malnutrition, specially the most vulnerable weighing less than 2500g and premature infants under 6 months of age. • Oversee the implementation of micronutrient and vitamin supplementation programs for children aged 6-59 months, ensuring effective delivery and adherence. • Develop and execute individualized nutritional supplementation plans for children identi-fied with chronic or acute malnutrition, monitoring their progress and adjusting plans as needed. • Lead the systematic monitoring of nutritional assessments for pregnant women, ensuring compliance with supplementation and evaluating the nutritional status of the women. • Provide guidance for teams on lactation care, nutrition, and exclusive breastfeeding to pregnant and nursing mothers, and assume a management role in delivering health educa-tion on healthy eating to parents and caregivers. • Monitor and evaluate the overall performance of the health and nutrition programs, including assessing the effectiveness of interventions, and making recommendations for pro-gram improvement.

Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness - Self-aware of own strengths, limitations, working style and deeply held convictions and biases; Display ethical awareness through behaviors that are consistent and compliant with the standards of conduct for international civil servants; Seek feedback from multiple sources on own behaviors, including unconscious biases and potential blind spots; Recognize personal stress and seek help to maintain personal well-being; Display appropriate ethical behaviors, promoting zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment, including sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and any type of discrimination; Challenge unprofessional, unethical and unsafe behaviors; Voice opinion in a truthful and respectful manner; Apply UNICEF’s core values in personal and professional life, demonstrating consistency between words and actions. Works Collaboratively with others - Establish and maintain mutually supportive working relationships, demonstrating sensitivity to people of diverse backgrounds, respecting differences and ensuring that all can contribute and succeed; Encourage others to contribute ideas and listen without interruption; Support colleagues in achieving their goals; Earn the trust and confidence of colleagues through respectful, honest behaviours, displaying openness and tolerance. Builds and Maintains Partnerships - Build a network of external stakeholders and alliances with counterparts in order to promote and advance the work of the organization; Develop a network of formal and informal contacts through participation in professional networks; Adopt a consultative approach and solicit the support of key stakeholders at critical stages of one’s work. Innovates and Embraces Change - Adapt and respond positively to change; Review work practices, analyzing evidence-based trends to apply new methods and techniques; Respond flexibly to changing circumstances, priorities and deadlines; Display creativity, experiment with new approaches and demonstrate openness to changing existing practices. Thinks and Acts Strategically - Understand the big picture and show ability to identify potential opportunities for action and challenges; Analyze and evaluate data from a wide range of sources, assessing reliability and presenting conclusions to enable informed decision-making; Adapt workplans in response to emerging situations and new requirements; Consider the long-term impact and risks. Drive to achieve impactful results - Commit to action and assumes responsibility and ownership for own performance and the associated outcomes; Pay attention to detail, producing work of a high standard; Monitor activities on a regular basis, reviewing work plan to ensure progress and delivery; Ensure the completion of tasks, while addressing obstacles and bottlenecks; Involve key stakeholders in activities that impact them, keeping them informed of potential delays and problems. Manages ambiguity and complexity - Demonstrate resilience and composure despite challenges; Maintain performance levels in pressure, adverse and uncertain environments; Demonstrate flexibility; Identify key issues and priorities, maintaining personal effectiveness in complex situations.

implementing nutrition programs, nutrition for vulnerable population, or other relevant programmes; • Experience of working in field locations. Background/familiarity with humanitarian operations considered an asset; • Experience in working with international organizations considered an important asset. • Strong sense of organization, consistency and coherence in all processes; • Motivated to contribute towards peace and development and to serve others; • Good interpersonal, networking and communication skills; • Willingness to contribute and work as part of a team; • Flexible and open to learning and new experiences; • Respect for diversity and adaptability to other cultures, environments and living conditions; • Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture, (i.e. studies, volunteer work, internship) would be highly regarded;

The UN Volunteer will be based in Boa Vista/RR, ad may to travel on mission to Pacaraima/RR. Boa Vista is the capital and the most populated municipality of the Brazilian state of Roraima. Concentrating approximately two thirds of the population of the state, it is located on the right bank of the Branco River. It is the only Brazilian capital located totally north of the Equator line. It is a typically administrative city that concentrates all state services. Banking, transportation, telecommunications, and recreational facilities are available. Security The UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) in Brazil advises to exercise a high degree of caution in Brazil due to the high levels of serious and violent crime, especially in major cities. Violent crimes such as assaults, armed robberies, kidnappings and sexual assault are very important. The most frequent security incidents in the region are robberies, various types of fraud and minor crimes. Slums (favelas) in large cities should be avoided and in case of attack, one is advised not to resist. Demonstrations can occur at any time and can turn violent with little or no warning. All United Nations personnel must scrupulously comply with UNDSS procedures and recommendations during their assignment, both on and off duty. For missions in rural areas or indigenous reserves, special procedures may apply; United Nations personnel should consult with the local DSS office in advance. Additional means of communication can be provided in Pacaraima. Health Basic health services are available but specialized services are not offered locally. Travelers are advised to carry a supply of the necessary prescription medications. The yellow fever vaccine is mandatory, and evidence of yellow fever vaccine is required (at least ten days before the trip to the area). Dengue, Zika, Chikungunya and yellow fever are transmitted by the same mosquito, Aedes Aegypti. Preventive measures are key. The mosquito feeds mainly at dusk and dawn, indoors, in shaded areas or when the weather is cloudy. Wear long-sleeved clothing, use insect repellents, place windows with screens, keep residences cool with air conditioning and use mosquito nets. Geography and climate Boa Vista is 90 meters above sea level. The climate of Boa Vista is considered tropical humid (type Aw according to Köppen), with the dry winter and the rainy summer; Autumn and spring are practically not perceived. The temperature varies from 22 ° C to 35 ° C, given its location relatively close to the Equator line. Boa Vista has an inefficient urban transport, but has two modern bus terminals, real shopping centres with food stores, various businesses, air-conditioned environment and elevators. The city's population also uses taxis shared by several passengers (not recommended for UN personnel). However, the streets of Boa Vista are wide and well-marked. Boa Vista connects with the rest of the country via air and by land. There is an airport (Atlas Brasil Cantanhede International Airport). Boa Vista also has an International Bus Terminal, the José Amador de Oliveira - Baton International Rodoviária, which connects the city with others from the interior of Roraima, the Amazon (Manaus), Guyana, Esequiba and Venezuela. Housing No furnished housing available. Power cuts are frequent but short. As this is a national UN Youth Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer Volunteer will be responsible for arranging their own housing and other living essentials.

Roraima is a unique State and has a unique humanitarian operation. It provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential.