About us

Nutrition Specialist

Job Code: UNNS
Location: Bhopal
Closing Date: 11 August 2010 

Purpose of the post:

Responsible for facilitating and influencing the State Government’s policy, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, for the Child Development and Nutrition programme within one State in India. 

The jobholder works at the State and District level. They also work under the daily supervision of the Chief of Field Office or Programme Manager (NOD), and take sector specific guidance from the Child Development and Nutrition Section( Technical Centre of Excellence).

Major Duties and Responsibilities:-

1. Influencing Policy : Analyses and recommends policies, systems of management, risk allocation and coordination systems around the Child Development and Nutrition programme.

2. Building Partnerships : Convenes strategic partnerships to impact on overall policies for Child Development and Nutrition, to support programmes and resources in the States Interacts with national and international agencies, missions and commissions, on the management of the Child Development and Nutrition programme. Participates in meetings with Ministries/Departments of Women and Child Development, Health and Family Welfare (and others as needed), responsible for programme/project review, and follows up on implementation of recommendations and agreements. 

Fosters partnerships for Child Development and Nutrition in the state with government, other agencies, professional bodies, technical institutions and NGO networks in the state.  Assists in the development and/or introduction of new approaches, methods and practices in project management and evaluation.

3. Programme Implementation : With guidance from the Child Development and Nutrition Section (Technical Centre of Excellence), proposes designs for the Child Development and Nutrition Programme.  When agreed, prepares, implements, monitors and evaluates the UNICEF assisted Child Development and Nutrition programme or specific project(s)such as community based early child care models, interventions to address micronutrient malnutrition and ICDS systems quality improvement. 

This includes the effective design, implementation and monitoring of  Child Development and Nutrition interventions in integrated and other intensive districts. Analyzes and evaluates data and/or takes corrective action when necessary, to meet programme/project objectives. 

Contributes to and enables the concurrent monitoring and reporting on performance indicators of the Integrated Child Development Services (Government flagship programme), accreditation systems and /or UNICEF–NGO managed programmes under the Project Co-operation Agreement. Integrates input/advice from the Child Development and Nutrition Section (Technical Centre for Excellence) in Delhi.

4. Monitoring and Evaluation : Facilitates the review of systems and capacity related to delivery of services for Child Development and Nutrition, and the interventions to improve such systems and capacities. Undertakes field visits to monitor programmes (including cash and supply assistance), as well as conducting periodic programme reviews with government counterparts and other partners. Identifies and recommends necessary action for adjustments in the Child Development and Nutrition programme.

Provides advice and assistance to government officials and other partners such as the World Bank, World Food Programme, Micronutrient Initiative in the planning and management of programme/projects. Contributes to the preparation of the Situation Analysis, led by SPME, by compiling data, analyzing and evaluating information, and writing the Child Development and Nutrition chapter of the Analysis.

5. Work plan development : Responsible for the development of the Child Development and Nutrition work plan, and ensures compliance with specific assigned objectives. Provides guidance and support to subordinate staff to manage and implement projects.

6. Capacity Building and technical assistance for Government  : Assists government authorities, in partnership with  training institutions, to plan and organize capacity building programmes. Identifies training needs for the purpose of capacity building and sustainability of programme/ projects. Provides technical expertise as required, facilitates learning exchanges as well as policy influencing.

7. Inter-sectoral collaboration : Proactively collaborates within the state and/or sector with  programme colleagues to give and receive knowledge and assistance. Pooling  resources for more effective programming. Assists in development of appropriate communication and information strategy to support and/or advocate development of the Child Development and Nutrition programme.

Facilitates the planning and formulation of Behaviour Development/Behaviour Communication Change initiatives in state institutions, to enable more effective change in key care behaviours related to Infant and Young Child Feeding and family care practices. Supports/undertakes research that provides tracking on social inclusion in Child Development and Nutrition interventions.

8. Supplies and Cash Assistance : Coordinates with the Operations/Supply staff/programme support on supply and non-supply assistance activities ensuring proper and timely UNICEF and Government accountability. Certifies disbursements of funds, as per UNICEF rules and procedures monitors and submits financial status reports to Senior Programme Officer or Representative as required.

9. Report Writing : Writes programme/project inputs for donor proposals, status reports required for management Board, donors, budget review, programme analysis, annual reports, case studies, etc.

Application consisting of a cover letter and an up-to-date CV should be sent to nonprofitjobs@abcconsultants.net by 11th August 2010. In order to ensure that your application is sorted correctly, please clearly mention the Job Code of the post and location in the subject line of your e-mail.

Only applications of short listed candidates will be acknowledged. These vacancies are open to Indian Nationals only. Those who applied against our advertisement on www.devnetjobs.org need not apply again.

UNICEF is a non-smoking working environment. Applications from qualified women are encouraged.