Nutrition Specialist
Location: Ranchi
Closing Date: 18th April 2012
Purpose of the post:
The incumbent will be 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.
The jobholder will also work under the daily supervision of the Chief of Field Office (NOD), and take sector specific guidance from the Child Development and Nutrition Section.
Main duties and responsibilities:
Programme Implementation
With guidance from the Child Development and Nutrition Section, proposes designs for the Child Development and Nutrition Programme. When agreed, prepares, implements, monitors and evaluates UNICEF Child Development and Nutrition programme or specific project (-s).
This includes the effective design, implementation and monitoring of Child and Maternal Nutrition interventions in 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 Government flagship programmes, accreditation systems and/or UNICEF–NGO managed programmes under the Project Co-operation Agreement. Integrates input/advice from the Child Development and Nutrition Section in Delhi.
Influencing Policy
Analyzes and recommends policies, management systems, coordination systems and risk allocation around the Child Development and Nutrition programme.
Building Partnerships
Convenes strategic partnerships to impact policies for Child and Maternal Nutrition and 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 Departments of Women and Child Development, Health and Family Welfare and others, responsible for programme/project review, and follows up on implementation of recommendations and agreements.
Fosters partnerships for Child and Maternal Nutrition in the state with government, other agencies, professional bodies, technical institutions and NGOs in the state. Assists in the development and/or introduction of new approaches, methods and practices in management and evaluation.
Monitoring and Evaluation
Facilitates the review of systems and capacity related to delivery of services for Child and Maternal 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, and 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 chapter of the analysis on the nutrition situation of mothers and children.
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.
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 programme communication 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 and Maternal Nutrition interventions.
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.
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.
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.
Minimum Qualifications, Experience and competencies required:
• Master’s degree in any of the following: Nutrition, Food and Nutrition, Public Health, Public Health Nutrition, Child and Maternal Nutrition.
• Five years progressively responsible professional work experience in Public Health Nutrition or Child and Maternal Nutrition.
• Fluency in English and good knowledge of Hindi or local working language of the duty station required.
Competency Profile:
i) Core Values (Required)
• Commitment
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Integrity
ii) Core Competencies (Required)
• Communication [ II ]
• Working with People [ II ]
• Drive for Results [ II ]
iii) Functional Competencies (Required)
• Leading and Supervising [ I ]
• Formulating Strategies and Concepts [ II ]
• Analyzing [ III]
• Relating and Networking [ II ]
• Deciding and Initiating Action [ II ]
• Applying Technical Expertise [ III ]
iv) Technical Knowledge [ ]
a) Specific Technical Knowledge Required [ ]
(Technical knowledge requirements specific to the job can be added here as required.)
• Advanced knowledge of one or more of the technical areas of UNICEF programmes.
• Advanced Technical Knowledge of theories, principles and methods in one of the following areas:
• Public Health & Nutrition, International Health & Nutrition, Public Health & Nutrition Policy and Management, Population and Family Health & Nutrition, Public Health Preparedness, Health Emergency Preparedness
• Nutritional Epidemiology, Nutrition Research, Biostatistics, Biochemistry, Socio-medical Sciences,
• Health & Nutrition Education, Health & Nutrition Promotion and Disease Prevention, Educational Interventions in Health & Nutritional Care
b) Common Technical Knowledge Required (for the job group) [ ]
Knowledge of theories and practices in:
• Child and Maternal Nutrition and Health
• Nutrition and Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
• Public Health and Nutrition
• Educational Interventions in Health and Nutrition Care
• Environmental Health and Nutrition
• Health and Nutrition Education
• Knowledge Management
• Computer software application, including word processing, spreadsheet and corporate software packages
General knowledge of:
• Methodology of programme/project management
• Programmatic goals, visions, positions, policies and strategies in Nutrition
• Knowledge of global health and nutrition issues, specifically relating to children and women, and the current trends, methods and approaches.
• Policies and strategy to address national and global health and nutrition issues, particularly relating to conflicts, natural disasters, and recovery.
• Emergency programme policies, goals, strategies and approaches.
• Core commitments for children in emergencies (for all Emergency positions)
• Government development plans and policies
• UNICEF Board endorsed policy papers and agency-wide programmes impacting on nutrition results, e.g. Ending Child Hunger and Under-nutrition, UNICEF Joint Health and Nutrition Strategy
• Office work plan
c) Technical Knowledge to be Acquired/Enhanced (for the Job) [ ]
• Knowledge of local conditions and country legislation relevant to UNICEF programmes
• UN policies and strategy to address international humanitarian issues and the responses.
• UN common approaches to programmatic issues and UNICEF positions
• UN security operations and guidelines.
Other skills and attributes:
• In depth understanding and knowledge of the Public Health Nutrition/Child and Maternal Nutrition Sector.
• Current knowledge of Child and Maternal Nutrition issues, development strategies and programming policies and procedures in development cooperation.
• Drive for results.
• A strong familiarity as to how public administration systems affect delivery of results for children
• Understanding of social mobilization and behaviour change communication
• Understanding of the importance and role of partnerships.
• Proven ability to conceptualize, innovate, plan and execute ideas, as well as to impart knowledge and teach skills.
• Analytical, negotiating, communication and advocacy skills.
• Report writing
• Computer skills, including internet navigation, and various office applications.
Application consisting of a cover letter and an up-to-date CV should be sent to nonprofitjobs@abcconsultants.net by 18th April 2012. In order to ensure that your application is sorted correctly, please clearly mention the title and location of the post in the subject line of your e-mail/application. Only applications of short listed candidates will be acknowledged. These vacancies are open to Indian Nationals only.
UNICEF does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, meeting, traveling, processing, training or any other fees). UNICEF is a non-smoking working environment. Applications from qualified women are encouraged.
