Nutrition Officer (Multi-system and youth engagement)

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

UNICEF’s work in the Pacific includes responding to a triple burden of malnutrition, i.e., undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, overweight and obesity. Above all, UNICEF will accelerate efforts to promote multi-system and multi-stakeholder approaches to reduce stunting and improve the quality of foods, food environments, and nutritional practices of children, adolescents, and women, and ensure household food security.

UNICEF will support governments to strengthen the existing legislation and regulatory frameworks, or to develop new ones that support the availability and affordability of nutritious foods and regulate the importation and marketing of unhealthy foods. Given the growing prevalence of obesity in children, UNICEF will invest in multisectoral approaches to promote healthy lifestyles and dietary practices, including social and behavioural change and youth-led advocacy initiatives, engagement with private sector food producers, and strengthening school nutrition programmes. This UNV assignment is to support the Nutrition Specialist and team in UNICEF nutrition programming, with special focus on multi-system and youth engagement.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Nutrition Specialist or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer Nutrition Officer (Multi-system and youth engagement) will:

• Support the management of “Fix My Food” campaign, a multi-year and multi-country campaign to empower youth to advocate for healthier food environments and to drive demand for effective government policies in Fiji, Solomon Islands, and Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). This will include: mobilization of youth champions; consolidation of available data / information from multiple studies, assessments and analyses to help youth identify advocacy priorities; organization of the co-creation workshops and capacity building interventions for youth; provision of necessary administrative, logistic and programmatic support for campaign implementation; and development and operationalization of monitoring and evaluation framework for the campaign • Support the planning and management of other youth engagement and social mobilization activities to promote and advocate for healthy food environment and dietary practices • Support the coordination of multi-sectoral school-based interventions for students’ health, nutrition, and well-being, in close collaboration with Education, WASH, and Child Protection teams as well as relevant line Ministries and other partners • Support planning, implementation, and monitoring of integrated school nutrition assessments and other studies such as feasibility assessment on school meal programme • Support knowledge management, including consolidation of nutrition related resources and programme data particularly in the countries where UNICEF does not have a field presence, as well as nutrition programme reporting

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities: • Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; • Provide annual and end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities; • Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Results/expected outputs • As an active UNICEF team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to UNICEF and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including: o Successful implementation and monitoring of ‘Fix My Food’ campaigns in Fiji, Solomon Islands and FSM, and other youth/social engagement activities that promote nutrition in select countries o Functional coordination mechanism for multi-sectoral school-based health and nutrition programming supported by UNICEF o Successful conducts of school nutrition assessments and follow-up in select countries o Functional and well-organised repository of nutrition resources and programme monitoring data in sharepoints • Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment • A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed.

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNICEF; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNICEF procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented;

• Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNICEF in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority;

• Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues;

• Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment.

• Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities;

• Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;

• Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary;

• Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNICEF’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

nutrition, health, food security and safety, youth development, social behavior change, or other relevant programmes; experience with private sector is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization; • Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills; • Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing; • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development; • Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel; • Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment; • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines; • Desirable: valid national driver’s license and proven ability to drive manual gear 4x4 over rough terrain; • Sound security awareness; • Have affinity with or interest in nutrition, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

Fiji has a tropical oceanic climate. The rainy season, from November to April, coincides with the hot and humid months and the cooler months are from May to October. Fiji sits in a cyclone area, and cyclones are most likely to occur in the summer months between November and April. Due to the heat and humidity, you may prefer loose clothing in natural fibers. In Suva, a rain jacket and umbrella are essential. There is no defined dress code, but polite official or Pacific attire is well respected in all offices in Pacific. Fiji is currently in UN Security phase 1. Like in any other country, robbery, theft and violent assault are inevitable staff members are always reminded to exercise caution. Home invasions may occur, affecting both locals and expatriates.

Suva is the capital city of the Fiji Islands (population estimated at 175,000 including the suburbs). Located on the south-eastern coast of the main island of Viti Levu, Suva is the administrative and political centre of the country. It is one of the South Pacific's largest and most sophisticated cities and home to many regional and international development organizations, including UN agencies, embassies and high commissions, the Pacific Island Form Secretariat etc. English is the official working language of the country and is widely used, with Fijian, Hindustani and Rotuman being the actual languages of the country.

Suva is a very multicultural city which is reflected by the different mosques, churches, temples and cultural centres. There are many restaurants, bars, coffee shops, nightclubs and even a large cinema complex where all the latest movies are shown. Suva has accommodation to suit business travellers’ families and backpackers. There are several apartments (including fully furnished apartments) and houses available. Rental price ranges from approx. F$2,000 to F$10,000.

Living and working in Pacific Island Countries including Fiji provides for an interesting and enriching experience, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as patience and commitment to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to appreciate the new and unique culture and environment are essential.