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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, a champion

Over the past decade, significant global progress has been made in improving maternal and child health, with a one-third reduction in the proportion of children suffering from stunted growth. However, progress in Madagascar has been limited, with a decrease in stunted growth among children under five years old from 49% to 40% between 2012 and 2021. Two out of ten women (19%) suffer from underweight (BMI <18.5), and the prevalence of anemia is 26% among women of reproductive age and 34% among pregnant women. According to the 2021 EDS survey, 26% of adolescents aged 15 to 19 suffer from wasting, while 4% are overweight. More than a quarter of women are anemic (26%): 14% have mild anemia, 11% have moderate anemia, and less than 1% have severe anemia. The prevalence of anemia is higher among pregnant women (34%) and lactating women (30%) compared to other women (24%).

Women and girls have specific nutritional needs, especially during adolescence, preconception, pregnancy, and breastfeeding. Poor maternal nutrition is a major risk factor for maternal health, adverse pregnancy outcomes, neonatal morbidity and mortality, as well as poor postnatal growth and cognitive disorders in children. According to the 2023 UNICEF report on the global nutrition crisis among adolescents and women, poverty, vulnerability, and social exclusion are powerful factors contributing to poor nutrition and hinder adolescents' and women's access to essential nutritional services and positive practices, particularly during demanding nutritional periods such as pregnancy and breastfeeding. Furthermore, in emergency situations, interventions for women and adolescents are often neglected or nonexistent, exacerbating their already limited access to basic social services.

How can you make a difference? 

To address the needs of women and adolescents, the Nutrition Section has established a maternal nutrition and adolescent nutrition program. These two new programs require careful development, planning, coordination, and monitoring in collaboration with other sections within UNICEF, other UN agencies, and government and non-governmental partners. Consequently, the UNICEF office in Madagascar is seeking a Nutrition Officer (NOB) responsible for maternal and adolescent nutrition. This position will be based in Antananarivo, Madagascar, and will play a crucial role in the successful implementation of these two programs.

Under the supervision of the P3 Nutrition Specialists for Output 1 and Output 2, the Nutrition Officer will provide technical, operational, and administrative support throughout the programming process for maternal and adolescent nutrition programs/projects within the country program, from development planning to achieving results. The incumbent will be responsible for developing, implementing, monitoring, evaluating, and reporting on the progress of key deliverables related to these two nutrition programs. This will be carried out in accordance with plans, allocations, results-based management approaches and methodologies, as well as UNICEF’s strategic plans, performance standards, and accountability framework.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: [ Nutrition Officer NOB TA _TMS.pdf]

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

Minimum requirements:

• Education: A minimum of a first university degree from an accredited institution in one of the following fields is required: nutrition, health, public health, nutritional epidemiology, research, health/nutrition policy and/or management, or health sciences.

• Work Experience: At least two years of professional experience in a developing country in one or more of the following areas is required: nutrition, public health, nutrition planning and management, social behavior change.
• Experience in developing health/nutrition programs/projects within a UN agency or organization is an asset.
• Prior experience in developing SBC (social and behavior change) strategies and in monitoring nutrition programs/projects related to SBC is also desirable.

• Language Requirements: Malagasy nationality and fluency in French are required. Good Knowledge of English is considered an asset.

Desirables:

• Developing field work experience and/or familiarity with emergency. 

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

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others 

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.  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 and candidates with disabilities 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.