Nutrition Specialist
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.
UNICEF works in the world’s toughest places to reach the most disadvantaged children and adolescents – and to protect the rights of every child, everywhere. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we do whatever it takes to help children survive, thrive, and fulfil their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.
UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, safe water and sanitation, quality education and skill building, HIV prevention and treatment for mothers and babies, and the protection of children and adolescents from violence and exploitation.
Before, during and after humanitarian emergencies, UNICEF is on the ground, providing lifesaving support and hope to children and families. Non-political and impartial, UNICEF is never neutral when it comes to defending children’s rights and safeguarding their lives and futures.
e.g. This UNV assignment is part of [Host Agency’s] project/flagship programming initiative etc. Provide brief description of the project including relevant stakeholders, outcomes etc. and/or include web link.
South Sudan continues to grapple with persistent nutrition insecurity stemming largely from disabling socio-economic and political conditions, exacerbated by a long history of shocks, including years of conflict, droughts, and flooding as well as suboptimal maternal and childcare practices and gender disparities in the one hand and widespread and repeated episodes of childhood illnesses on the other hand.
The prevalence of wasting/malnutrition in South Sudan has been consistently high, among the highest in Sub-Saharan Africa. According to the 2023 HSNMS the prevalence of wasting among young children in South Sudan is estimated at 17.1 per cent, above the WHO emergency level (15 per cent). According to the current projections, in 2024 approximately 1.65 million of children will need care for wasting in the country, with 480,000 children with severe wasting and 1.17 million with moderate wasting.
Infant and young children practices remain poor and need to be improved. According to 2023 Food Security and Nutrition Monitoring System (FSNMS) data on infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices, 60 per cent of infants aged under 6 months were exclusively breastfed with variation from 41.4 per cent in Central Equatoria State, 43.4 per cent in Western Equatoria, to 76.6 per cent in Eastern Equatoria State. Age-appropriate nutrient-dense complementary feeding from 6-24 months remains a significant challenge. Nationally, only 4.6 per cent of children attained the Minimum Acceptable Diet (MAD) required for optimal growth and development. The proportion of children receiving the recommended number of food groups, the Minimum dietary diversity (MDD) was 21 per cent.
Today, South Sudan nutrition services are delivered through over 1,200 nutrition sites nationwide, with over 50 implementing partners (IPs) supporting the direct delivery of nutrition services. Outreach and mobile sites are used to provide nutrition services in hard-to-reach areas. Following the release of the new “WHO guidelines on wasting and nutritional oedema” in 2023, and the guidance from the Nutrition Cluster, different prevention and treatment programme modalities will be used by county priority in 2024. In counties with low levels deprivations and malnutrition gradual transition of nutrition service provision from IPs to local government using the national CMAM & MIYCN guidelines.
Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Chief of Greater Equatoria Field Office; and technical guidance from the Nutrition Section, the UNV Nutrition specialist will:
Conduct Situation analysis, planning and coordination.
Provide technical support to strengthen the health system to ensure transition and sustainability of nutrition services to Government.
In collaboration with UNICEF Health and Nutrition Sections, ensure harmonization of implementing partner’s programme documents content.
Support the State MoH and implementing partners to integrate nutrition into the new Health Sector Transformation Project (HSTP) led by the Ministry of Health (MoH) and managed by UNICEF.
Together with the County Health Departments (CHD), conduct capacity assessments for human resources to identify gaps to be filled during transition period.
Based on the capacity assessment, develop a joint on-job training plan (using harmonized on the job training package) to ensure that nutrition services are fully integrated, and are directly provided by government and implemented as per national protocols.
Provide support to the three Greater Equatoria States for planning and coordination of nutrition activities.
Participate in planning forums e.g., development of CHD and State MOH (SMOH) health and nutrition workplans and activities.
Work with CHD on the integration of the work of community structures such a s CNVs, BHWs, mother support groups, ICMN, etc.
Quality program implementation.
Provide technical support to the three SMoH to ensure quality integration of nutrition interventions into health facilities as per the approved national protocols.
Provide technical support to the three SMoH for integration of community structures/systems to improve children’s food, health, and nutrition practices.
Provide support to the three SMoHto strengthen the existing supply chain system and to ensure all nutrition supplies are available .
Contribute to the Field Office’s partnerships management tasks for the Nutrition portfolio, including review and approval of partners reports and FACE forms.
Contribute to the Field Office’s field monitoring for the Nutrition portfolio, including through carrying out periodic programmatic monitoring visits (PMVs) on partners’ activities and drafting corresponding reports.
Maintain efficient nutrition surveillance, monitoring and reporting systems.
Capacity building and mentorship
Provide technical support through on-the-job training (OJT) and mentoring of health facilities staff to ensure smooth transition of nutrition interventions at health facilities.
Ensure availability of job aids e.g. guidelines, training tools, registers, and IEC materials.
Co-facilitate with the MoH trainings for front line staffs (Health and Nutrition workers; CNVs and mother to mother support groups) on the nutrition package integrated in the health system.
Information management and reporting.
Provide technical support to the State MoH, to ensure integration of nutrition in the routine health information system (DHIS 2)
In close collaboration with the County M&E focal person, ensure availability of data collection and reporting tools.
Ensure timely reporting of nutrition interventions.
Coordination.
Co-facilitate nutrition sub-cluster coordination meetings with CHD and implementing partners.
Organize quarterly review meetings with partners in support to State MoH and CHD.
Represent nutrition in other important meeting at State level (Health, food security, WASH, etc.)
Identify opportunities to build synergies between nutrition and other relevant sectors.
Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.
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 Ministry of Health and Implementing Partners and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including:
o Successful transitioning of nutrition services from implementing partners to Government.
o Successful integration of nutrition services in the six pillars of the health system.
o Harmonized community structures.
o Existence of a strong supply chain system with good management procedures in place.
o Appropriate human resources and operational capacities strengthened, followed by implementation of quality nutrition intervention package in the 24 counties of Greater Equatoria.
o Functional sub national nutrition coordination mechanisms strengthened.
o Strong nutrition information system established at state level and integrated in DHIS2.
o Documentation of the transition approach available.
UNICEF Core Values Required • Care • Respect • Integrity • Trust • Accountability • Sustainability
Competencies required for this position:
• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1) • Works Collaboratively with others (1) • Builds and Maintains Partnerships (1) • Innovates and Embraces Change (1) • Thinks and Acts Strategically (1) • Drive to achieve impactful results (1) • Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)
• 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 behaviors 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 behavior; 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;
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professional work at the national and/or international level in working with Government and Non-Government Implementing Partners, with a focus on health outcomes; experience prevention of malnutrition programs is an asset.
• Experience working in the UN or other international development organizations.
• Experience in localizing working with communities.
• Excellent oral and written skills in English; with excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills is required.
b) Accuracy and professionalism in document reviews and report writing is required.
c) Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with other UN agencies, or stakeholders, Government, and existing local community groups, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels.
d) Familiarity with tools and willingness to learn and adopt to new program environments and approaches is necessary.
e) 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.
Juba is the capital city of South Sudan and is home to the main political parties and national Government Line Ministries. Embassy of countries represented in South Sudan/country offices of the Humanitarian community, including the UN, resides in Juba. Juba is also the capital of the Central Equatorian State.
Accommodation for UNICEF international personnel in Juba is limited to two locations – Classique and Naivasha compounds. Both locations are cleared by the UN Security Management System and follow mandated measures defined under the Security Risk Management (SRM) Area documentation.
South Sudan is a unique country with 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.
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Source:
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