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 some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfil their potential. Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. Every child has the right to nutrition. And today, the need for diets, services and practices that protect, promote and support good nutrition has never been greater. The vision of the UNICEF Nutrition Strategy 2020– 2030 is “a world where all children, adolescents and women realize their right to nutrition”. This vision is guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which recognizes the right of every child to adequate nutrition. The goal of the Strategy is “to protect and promote diets, services and practices that support optimal nutrition, growth and development for all children, adolescents and women”. This goal aims to contribute to the goal of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to ensure children’s access to nutritious diets and to end child malnutrition in all its forms. The Libya Country Office has been contributing to the global and national targets for improving health and well-being.
On Sunday, 10 September 2023, the Mediterranean Storm Daniel made landfall in Libya causing severe weather conditions, including fierce winds and sudden heavy rainfall leading to flash flooding affecting several northeastern areas of Libya (Benghazi, Tobruk, Toukra, Talmeitha, Almarj, Taknes (Al Jabal Al Akhdar), Al Owailia, Albayda, Shahhat, Sousa and Derna). UNICEF is actively responding to the humanitarian crisis caused by Storm Daniel in Eastern Libya to address the urgent nutrition needs of the affected population. The devastating flooding and displacement disrupted access to basic health and nutrition services, and loss of livelihood posing a significant risk of emerging malnutrition, especially for vulnerable groups like children, pregnant women, and the elderly. Given the lack of coordination between partners, the nutrition thematic working group was initiated by the Residence Coordinator (RC) in Libya on September 17th , 2023, for the flood response to coordinate nutrition sector-related issues and is co-chaired by UNICEF and chaired by the Primary Health Care Institute (PHCI). The role of the Nutrition Thematic Working Group in coordinating and supporting ongoing emergency and recovery interventions is essential to ensure that the most needy receive appropriate, adequate and timely assistance. Through this coordinated effort, UNICEF aims to ensure that the most vulnerable individuals receive timely and appropriate Nutrition services. Accordingly, UNICEF health and nutrition section, in coordination with (PHCI- MOH), has designed and implemented a package of services to minimize the gap of PHC and nutrition services’ availability and accessibility in a sustainable manner. UNICEF's response is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). By addressing nutrition needs, UNICEF aims to eliminate hunger, improve health outcomes, and foster effective partnerships to achieve sustainable development.

Under the guidance and supervision of the chief field office in Benghazi, the UNV Specialist will perform the following tasks:

• Provide day-to-day support to PHCI integrated health/nutrition mobile teams to roll out maternal, infant, and young child nutrition services including screening, detection and treatment. • Conduct regular programme field visits and exchange information with partners and stakeholders to assess progress and provide technical support • Contribute to informing and updating the situation analysis for the nutrition sector to ensure comprehensive and current data on maternal and child nutrition is available to guide emergency response in the East. • Support the preparation and design of nutrition programs in the east, ensuring quality implementation of planned emergency response activities. • Support the rollout, implementation, and design of nutrition programmes/projects in coordination with the Benghazi Field office. • Keep abreast of development trends to enhance programme management, efficiency, and delivery. • Provide on-site support and mentoring to the Government Nutrition mobile teams to ensure the effectiveness of interventions. • Participate in strategic programme discussions on Nutrition planning with Local authorities and colleagues in the Benghazi Field office and partners, to ensure the achievement of concrete and sustainable Nutrition results. • Provide technical and operational support throughout all stages of programming processes to ensure integration, coherence, and harmonization of projects with other UNICEF sectors. • Collaborate with the finance and logistics teams to ensure timely procurement and deployment of Nutrition supplies. • Develop and submit periodic reports on Nutrition emergency preparedness and response activities. • Documentation of best practices, challenges faced, and lessons learned for future reference. • Ensure the efficient allocation and utilization of resources during emergencies, for cost-effective drive for results.

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 the support provided by the UNV Nutrition officer will enable the Country Office to achieve the health/nutrition -related output results of the country programme. This, in turn, will contribute to the achievement of the outcome results of the Country Programme Document. When done effectively, the achievement of the outcome results will improve child survival, growth and development and reduce inequalities in the country. • 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 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 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 mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

the national and/or international level in public health and emergency preparedness and response experience is an asset.

• 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. • Have affinity with or interest in Children centred, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

Libya is classified as an “E “Duty Station. This means that the security context in the country is fragile. The Security Focal point for our Office is the Security Advisor. The United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) will cater to our safety. Benghazi is the second-largest city in Libya, located on the country's northeastern coast. It has a rich historical and cultural heritage, known for its ancient Greek and Roman ruins. However, in recent years, Benghazi has faced significant challenges due to the aftermath of the 2011 Libyan civil war, including political instability, security concerns, and sporadic clashes between rival factions. The situation in Benghazi can evolve rapidly, and it is advisable to consult up-to-date sources for the latest information. As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment based in Benghazi, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. National UN Volunteers are part of the malicious insurance plan.