Re-advertised-Nutrition Officer, NOB, Kassala, Sudan (Open to Sudanese nationals)

Entry Programme & Policy

Overview

Provide technical support for nutrition programming focusing on IYCF and maternal nutrition in Sudan.

You have:

• A university degree in Nutrition, Public Health, or a related field.
• A minimum of two years of relevant professional experience in nutrition programming, with a focus on IYCF and/or micronutrient interventions.
• Fluency in English and Arabic is required. Knowledge of another official UN language or a local language is an asset.
• Emergency Response Experience: Background in nutrition programming during emergencies, including rapid assessments and coordination of immediate interventions.
• Knowledge of Humanitarian Standards: Understanding of SPHERE standards or other humanitarian guidelines relevant to nutrition programs.
• Behavior Change Communication (BCC): Expertise in developing and implementing strategies to promote healthy feeding practices and micronutrient usage.
• Innovative Approaches: Knowledge of mobile or digital solutions to improve nutrition service delivery, monitoring, and data collection.
• Technical Skills: Knowledge of global nutrition standards and best practices, including the IYCF and micronutrient guidelines. Experience in capacity-building and developing training materials. Proficiency in Microsoft Office and data analysis tools.
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency.
• Experience working in humanitarian or development settings, preferably in fragile contexts.
• Familiarity with UNICEF’s programming approaches and standards is an asset.

Contract

This is a NO-2 contract. This kind of contract is known as National Professional Officers. It is normally only for nationals. It's a staff contract. More about NO-2 contracts.

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, Health

Sudan faces a complex nutrition landscape, marked by high levels of malnutrition and food insecurity, exacerbated by political instability, economic challenges, and climate change. Chronic malnutrition (stunting) and micronutrient deficiencies continue to affect a significant proportion of children under five, while maternal nutrition as well as Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices remain suboptimal.

In this challenging context, UNICEF Sudan plays a critical role in supporting the government and implementing partners to strengthen nutrition service delivery, focusing on prevention programs, including IYCF and micronutrient supplementation.

The Nutrition Officer reports to the Nutrition Specialist. The Nutrition Officer provides technical support, coordination, and capacity-building to ensure the effective implementation of UNICEF’s Program to prevent malnutrition, with a primary focus on enhancing maternal nutrition and improving Infant and Young Child Feeding in Emergencies (IYCF-E).

Summary of Key Functions and Accountabilities

1. Support to programme development and planning
2. Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results
3. Technical and operational support to programme implementation
4. Networking and partnership building
5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

6. Technical support and capacity building (IYCF-E)

7. Support to programme development and planning

• Conduct and update the situation analysis for the programme sector(s) for the development, design and management of nutrition related programmes/projects. Research and report on development trends (e.g. political social, economic, nutrition, health) for higher management use to enhance programme management, efficiency and delivery of results.
• Contribute to the development and establishment of sectoral programme goals, objectives, strategies, and results-based planning, through analysis of nutrition needs and areas for intervention; and submission of recommendations for priority and goal setting.
• Provide technical and operational support throughout all stages of programming processes by executing and administering a variety of technical programme transactions; preparing materials and documentations, and complying with organizational processes and management systems, to support programme planning, results based planning (RBM), and monitoring and evaluation of results.

• Prepare required documentations and materials to facilitate the programme review and approval process.

  2 .Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results.

• Work closely and collaboratively with colleagues and partners to discuss operational and implementation issues. Provide solutions, recommendations and/or alert appropriate officials and stakeholders for higher-level intervention and/or decision-making. Keep record of reports and assessments for easy reference and/or to capture and institutionalize lessons learned.

• Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual reviews with the government and other counterparts to assess programmes/projects and to report on required action and interventions at the higher level of programme management.

• Monitor and report on the use of sectoral programme resources (financial, administrative and other assets), verifying compliance with approved allocation, goals, organizational rules, regulations/procedures, donor commitments, standards of accountability, and integrity. Report on issues identified to ensure timely resolution by management and stakeholders. Follow up on unresolved issues to ensure resolution.

• Prepare regular and mandated sectoral programme/project reports for management, donors and partners to keep them informed of programme progress.

  3.Technical and operational support to programme implementation

• Conduct regular programme field visits and surveys, and exchange information with partners and stakeholders to assess progress and provide technical support. Take appropriate action to resolve issues and/or refer to relevant officials for resolution. Report on critical issues, bottlenecks and potential problems for timely action to achieve results.

• Provide technical and operational support to government counterparts, NGO partners, UN system partners, and other country office partners/donors on the application and understanding of UNICEF policies, strategies, processes, and best practices on nutrition-related issues to support programme implementation, operations and delivery of results. 4.Networking and partnership building
• Build and sustain effective close working partnerships with nutrition sector government counterparts and national stakeholders through active sharing of information and knowledge to facilitate programme implementation and build capacity of stakeholders to achieve programme goals on maternal and child rights as well as social justice and equity.
• Draft communication and information materials for CO programme advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnership/alliances and support fund raising for nutrition programmes.
• Participate in appropriate inter-agency (UNCT) meetings and events on programming to collaborate with inter-agency partners and colleagues on UNDAF operational planning and preparation of nutrition programmes/projects, and to integrate and harmonize UNICEF’s position and strategies with the UNDAF development and planning process.

• Research information on potential donors and prepare resource mobilization materials and briefs for fund raising and partnership development purposes.

  5.Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Identify, capture, synthesize, and share lessons learned for knowledge development and to build the capacity of stakeholders.

• Apply innovative approaches and promote good practices to support the implementation and delivery of concrete and sustainable programme results.

• Research, benchmark and report on best and cutting edge practices for development planning of knowledge products and systems.

• Participate as a resource person in capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients and stakeholders.

• 6.Technical support and capacity building (IYCF-E)

• Ensure the effective implementation of UNICEF’s Program to prevent malnutrition, with a primary focus on enhancing maternal nutrition and improving Infant and Young Child Feeding in Emergencies (IYCF-E).

• Support the development, adaptation, and dissemination of training materials, job aids, and communication tools tailored to maternal nutrition and IYCF-E, ensuring they meet the needs of vulnerable populations.
• Facilitate and conduct training sessions for government staff and implementing partners to build capacity in the effective implementation and monitoring of IYCF-E and maternal nutrition programs, especially in emergency settings.
• Provide expert technical guidance to government counterparts and implementing partners on IYCF and maternal nutrition programs, with a particular focus on emergency contexts (IYCF-E).

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Minimum requirements:

• Education:A university degree in Nutrition, Public Health, or a related field.

• ****Work Experience:****A minimum of two years of relevant professional experience in nutrition programming, with a focus on IYCF and/or micronutrient interventions.

  Language Requirements: Fluency in English and Arabic is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

  Skills:

• Emergency Response Experience: Background in nutrition programming during emergencies, including rapid assessments and coordination of immediate interventions.

• Knowledge of Humanitarian Standards: Understanding of SPHERE standards or other humanitarian guidelines relevant to nutrition programs.
• Behavior Change Communication (BCC): Expertise in developing and implementing strategies to promote healthy feeding practices and micronutrient usage.
• Innovative Approaches: Knowledge of mobile or digital solutions to improve nutrition service delivery, monitoring, and data collection.
• Technical Skills:
  • Knowledge of global nutrition standards and best practices, including the IYCF and micronutrient guidelines.
  • Experience in capacity-building and developing training materials.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office and data analysis tools.

Desirables:

• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency.
• Experience working in humanitarian or development settings, preferably in fragile contexts.
• Familiarity with UNICEF’s programming approaches and standards is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships (1)

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (1)

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact (1)

(4) Innovates and embraces change (1)

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)

(6) Thinks and acts strategically (1)

(7) Works collaboratively with others (1)

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

We offer a wide range of measures to include a more diverse workforce, such as paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination. UNICEF is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.

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Potential interview questions

Added 10 months ago - Updated 9 months ago - Source: unicef.org