Private Sector and Food Systems Specialist

Volunteering

Overview

Support implementation of nutrition-sensitive food systems and the 1st Foods Africa initiative in Côte d'Ivoire.

You have:

• At least 3 years of professional work experience at the national and/or international level in nutrition-sensitive food systems or food security programming, policy, and regulatory frameworks related to food systems, food safety, or nutrition.
• Strong understanding of multisectoral approaches to nutrition and food systems.
• Familiarity with UN frameworks, global nutrition targets, and national nutrition strategies.
• Knowledge of regulatory processes, including food labeling, marketing standards, and quality assurance.
• Ability to analyze and interpret nutrition and food systems data for decision-making.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across sectors and with diverse stakeholders.
• Organizational and project management skills.

Contract

This is a UNV contract. More about UNV contracts.

Côte d’Ivoire is recognized as a regional leader in nutrition, with a robust multisectoral strategy in place. While essential nutrition services have been introduced at the health facility level, challenges persist in service quality and dietary behaviors. Factors such as climate change, rapid urbanization, and the widespread promotion of unhealthy foods continue to hinder efforts to prevent malnutrition among women, children, and adolescents. Currently, only 25.3% of infants are exclusively breastfed for the first six months, and nearly 79% of children lack a diversified diet, with 39.2% consuming unhealthy foods, particularly in urban areas. Improving children’s diets is a central focus of both the national nutrition strategy and UNICEF’s country programme in Côte d’Ivoire. To address these challenges, UNICEF is committed to accelerating the implementation of the 1st Foods Africa initiative in Côte d’Ivoire, aiming to make a significant contribution to strengthening food systems and improving nutrition outcomes. The UN Volunteer (UNV) will play a critical role in supporting the accelerated implementation of the nutrition programme, with a particular focus on nutrition-sensitive food systems and the 1st Foods Africa initiative, enhancing the Nutrition Section’s capacity to ensure technical excellence and high-quality programming in food systems. Overall, this position will provide essential support to UNICEF’s enhanced commitment to preventing malnutrition through improved food systems and collaboration with the private sector. The UNV will offer technical expertise to advance the private sector and food systems agenda as part of the 2025–2030 UNICEF Country Programme, the Child Nutrition Fund, and the 1st Foods initiative, contributing to the achievement of the 2030 Global Nutrition Targets in Côte d’Ivoire. In addition to duty station specific vaccine requirements, appointments are subject to confirmation of fully vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the appointment. It does not apply to UN Volunteers who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their contracts. UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for UN Volunteers with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process and afterwards in your assignment.

Under the direct supervision of the Nutrition Specialist (Food systems), P3, the UN Volunteer responsible for nutrition-sensitive food systems for children will undertake the following tasks, with a strong focus on supporting the implementation of the 1st Foods Africa initiative, strengthening the regulatory environment, and engaging the private sector in Côte d’Ivoire:

1. Support Programme Implementation • Assist in the planning, coordination, and execution of nutrition-sensitive food systems interventions, with a particular emphasis on scaling up the 1st Foods Africa initiative to improve the quality of children’s diets.

2. Technical Assistance and Capacity Building • Provide technical support to government counterparts, implementing partners, and private sector actors to integrate nutrition objectives into food production, processing, and distribution systems.

3. Private Sector Engagement • Support the identification, engagement, and capacity strengthening of local companies - particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs) - to develop, produce, and market affordable, safe, and nutritious foods for young children in alignment with the 1st Foods Africa initiative.

4. Support to Regulatory Frameworks • Contribute to the review, development, and implementation of policies, standards, and regulations that promote nutrition-sensitive food systems, including food safety, labeling, marketing of foods for children, and quality assurance mechanisms.

5. Data Collection and Analysis • Contribute to the collection, analysis, and use of data related to food systems and child nutrition, including monitoring the progress and impact of the 1st Foods Africa initiative and regulatory improvements.

6. Partnership and Coordination • Facilitate cross-sectoral collaboration (e.g., agriculture, education, WASH, social protection) and foster public-private partnerships to ensure the 1st Foods Africa initiative and regulatory reforms are effectively embedded within broader food systems and development efforts.

7. Advocacy and Communication • Support the development of advocacy materials and communication campaigns to promote the goals of the 1st Foods Africa initiative and raise awareness about the importance of nutritious, safe, and affordable foods for young children.

8. Monitoring and Reporting • Assist in tracking implementation progress, documenting lessons learned, and preparing regular reports on the 1st Foods Africa initiative, regulatory developments, and private sector engagement.

9. Innovation and Knowledge Sharing • Identify and promote innovative practices and tools - especially those developed by local companies or supported by regulatory improvements - that enhance the effectiveness of food systems in delivering better nutrition outcomes for children.

Core Values • Care • Respect • Integrity • Trust • Accountability • Sustainability

Core Competencies • 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)

• Strong understanding of multisectoral approaches to nutrition and food systems • Familiarity with UN frameworks, global nutrition targets, and national nutrition strategies • Experience supporting or implementing initiatives like the 1st Foods Africa initiative or similar child-focused food system programmes is an asset • Knowledge of regulatory processes, including food labeling, marketing standards, and quality assurance • Ability to analyze and interpret nutrition and food systems data for decision-making.

    Soft Skills

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across sectors and with diverse stakeholders • Organizational and project management skills • Capacity to work independently and proactively in a fast-paced environment • Cultural sensitivity and commitment to equity, inclusion, and gender-responsive programming • Experience working with government institutions, UN agencies, NGOs, or community-based organizations is highly desirable • Prior involvement in public-private partnerships or support to local food enterprises is an asset • Familiarity with African food systems and the socioeconomic context of Côte d’Ivoire is an asset. • At least 03 years of professional work experience at the national and/or international level in Nutrition-sensitive food systems or food security programming, in Policy and regulatory frameworks related food systems, food safety, or Nutrition; experience with Private sector engagement in food production, processing, or distribution is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization; • Experience working with or supporting government institutions, local enterprises, UN agencies, NGOs, or the context of food systems or nutrition and experience in Africa is highly desirable. • 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; • Sound security awareness. • Have affinity with or interest in advocating for children rights, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

General Information: A country of about 30 million inhabitants, Cote d’Ivoire is one of the most developed countries in West Africa. The country remains politically stable and recently organized elections that remained mostly peaceful. The official language of the country is French, and the diplomatic and expatriate community is large and diverse. UNICEF main Office is in Abidjan, the economic capital and largest city of the country. A cultural crossroads of West Africa, Abidjan is characterized by a high level of industrialization and urbanization. The transport network is developed and offers safe options to commute withing the city and between major towns. Abidjan features a tropical wet and dry climate with a long rainy season from March to July, a short rainy season from September to December, and three dry months (January, February and August). Security: The Security Level in Abidjan is classified as Level 1 as per the UN security management system in Cote d’Ivoire. The political situation remains relatively calm, and the Presidential elections took place in October 2025. Despite some security challenges especially in the North part of the country bordering Mali and Burkina Faso, there is a quick response Police service and effective fire services. Housing: Different types of long-term accommodation are available in Abidjan: standalone houses, houses in gated compounds, apartments. These could be furnished and/or fully serviced, or unfurnished. Electricity and running water are available, although this may not be 24hrs in few areas of Abidjan. Costs are reasonable but vary by location. Upon arrival, you reside in a hotel or apartment until they get permanent housing. Long-term accommodation can be found trough available Real estate agencies. School and Childcare: Abidjan has French Schools, and several other international schools offering an international curriculum, some with the international baccalaureate Programme. There is a large network of privately owned kindergartens and pre-schools.

Cote d’Ivoire is a unique country and Abidjan is 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.

Apply now

Potential interview questions

Added 6 months ago - Updated 6 months ago - Source: unv.org