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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, Health!

How can you make a difference? 

The candidate will report to the Nutrition and Health Specialists at the Field Office and work closely with the Health and Nutrition Sections as well as other stakeholders to ensure efficient and effective delivery of results. Specifically, the Health and Nutrition Officer will be responsible for the following:

• Support to health and nutrition programme development, planning and implementation
• Technical support and coordination for the efficient and effective implementation of health and nutrition programmes and results.
• Health and Nutrition programme management, monitoring and quality assurance
• Effective partnership and networking; advocacy and information sharing for resource mobilization and implementation of health and nutrition programmes
• Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS

1. Support to health and nutrition programme development, planning and implementation

• Assist in designing, planning, monitoring, and evaluating the Health & Nutrition programmes implemented in the states.
• Provide technical assistance in integrating the Health & Nutrition programme with other sectors and programmes.
• Contribute to establishing partnerships to promote innovative approaches to address immediate and underlying determinants of maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health and nutrition.
• Support the improvement of programme delivery with emphasis on the sustainability of interventions, community participation and the Human Rights Based Approach to Programming.
• Assists government and other partners in the planning and management of the Health and Nutrition Programme.2. Technical support and coordination for the efficient and effective implementation of health and nutrition programmes and results

• Assist in the development of health and nutrition work plans and technical decisions, as well as the administration, implementation, and monitoring of planned activities.
• Analyse health and nutrition data and information for evidence-based decision-making whilst contributing to institutional and donor reports;
• Monitor results to ensure that targets are met through effective coordination and collaboration with government and other partners.
• Provide timely follow-up, including monitoring UNICEF resources, supply and non-supply assistance, and sharing feedback to supervisors for prompt actions.
• Assist in the implementation of emergency preparedness plans and programmes relating to health and nutrition in line with the Core Commitments for Children (CCCs) in Humanitarian Action, strengthen partnerships with the Health and Nutrition humanitarian actors.3. Health and Nutrition programme management, monitoring and quality assurance

• Conduct frequent monitoring of health and nutrition programmes in the states under the field office. 
• Analyze health and nutrition data and provide recommendations for adjustment as appropriate to ensure the achievement of the health and nutrition programme objectives.
• Assist in the timely preparation of programme, annual and donor reports, as required
• Coordinates with Operations and Supply colleagues on the timely procurement, management and distribution of health and nutrition supplies
• Ensure the timely and efficient utilization of grants within established plans and the health and nutrition programme priorities.4. Effective partnership and networking; advocacy and information sharing for resource mobilization and implementation of health and nutrition programmes
  • Exchange health and nutrition information and knowledge with other programmes to contribute to the achievement of overall country programme objectives.
  • Contribute to the development of communication materials and strategies to support advocacy and community participation in health and nutrition programmes;
  • Establish and maintain partnerships with all stakeholders in the states, localities, communities, and the private sector for resource mobilization and to accelerate the achievement of health and nutrition goals.
  • Identify and track the development of partnership agreements and their implementation.
  • Assist in identifying capacity development needs and facilitate the orientation, training and learning/development activities for government and implementing partners for effective programme delivery.
  • 5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Introduce innovation and best practices to ensure optimal and sustainable health and nutrition programmes.
• Keep abreast of and share state of the art research and implement best and cutting-edge practices in health and nutrition programming, especially in emergencies.
• Organize, plan and/or implement capacity-building initiatives to enhance the competencies of stakeholders to promote transformative and sustainable results in health and nutrition programmes.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  JD NOB Health Nutrition Officer_Kaduna_(130224)ib-.doc

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

Minimum requirements:

Education: A university degree in one of the following fields is required: nutrition, public health, nutritional epidemiology, global/ international health and nutrition, health/nutrition research, policy and/or management, health sciences, nutritional epidemiology, or another health-related science field. An advanced university degree in any of the above programmes is an asset.

Work Experience: A minimum of five years of relevant professional work experience in health and nutrition programmes. Experience in implementing adolescent health, RMCH and nutrition programming emergency context and duty location. Working experience for the UN or other international development organizations would be an asset.

Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of a local language is an asset.

Desirables:

• Developing country 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.  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.