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For every child, dedication
In Nigeria, UNICEF works in a complex humanitarian and development setting to fulfill and protect children's rights in partnership with the government, civil society, children, and families. UNICEF Nigeria is one of the largest UNICEF Country Offices globally - click the link to learn more about UNICEF in Nigeria: https://www.unicef.org/nigeria/.

Organizational Context and Purpose for the job
The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programmes, advocacy, and operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop, and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias, or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic, and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, nutrition, education, and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. Therefore, the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.
Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa, with an estimated population of 231 million people, of which approximately 38 million are children under five years of age. Nigeria is culturally, ethnically, and climatically diverse and divided into six geo-political zones (South-South, South-West, South-East, North-West, North-East, North-Central) with 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja (36+1).
The country's nutrition statistics for children are concerning. The Nigeria Demographic Health Survey (NDHS) 2023 reports a worsening trend in stunting (37% to 40%), wasting (6% to 8%), and underweight (22% to 27%) prevalence among children under five. The 2021 National Food Consumption and Micronutrient Survey (NFCMS) report shows that one-third of pregnant women are anaemic and at least 1 in 5 women have zinc, vitamin A, or iron deficiency. There is also a high level of micronutrients inadequacies among pregnant women for essential minerals and vitamins, such as Calcium, Iron, Zinc, Vitamin B12 and Vitamin C were 92%, 82%, 46%, 61%, and 64%, respectively. As a result, close to 17 million Nigerian children are undernourished (stunted and/ or wasted), giving Nigeria the highest burden of stunting in Africa and the second highest in the world.
Early breastfeeding initiation has declined from 42% in 2018 to 36% in 2023, rates of exclusive breastfeeding rates have stagnated at 29% and only 23% of babies are breastfed up to the recommended two years of age. Nigeria is among the top 20 countries contributing to severe child food poverty with 32% of children (11 million) are living in severe food poverty (consuming only 2 of 8 food groups in a day). Poor diets and practices among pregnant women and young children in the First 1000 Days of Life is one of the key drivers of high rates of malnutrition in Nigeria.
To change the narrative, UNICEF, in partnership with the government and other stakeholders aims to implement a robust Nutrition Strategic Behavior Change Strategy (SBC) and implement different food-system based interventions including the maternal, infant and young child nutrition (MIYCN) programmes to improve the diets and practices of women and children. To enable UNICEF to plan for and execute this strategy and mainstream diets and practices across different systems (Health, Food and Social Protection), the UNICEF Nigeria Country Office is seeking a Nutrition Officer (NOB) to be based in Abuja, Nigeria.

How can you make a difference?
Under the direct supervision of the Nutrition Manager, the Nutrition Officer- Diets & Practices will support the implementation of the National Nutrition SBC Strategy, First Food Africa Initiative and Food System interventions aimed to contribute to enhancing dietary diversity, preventing common childhood illnesses and improving MIYCN; diets, services and care practices. The position will be responsible for initiating, implementing, monitoring, evaluating, and reporting the progress of key deliverables of the nutrition programme within the country programme. The Nutrition Officer will provide technical guidance throughout the programming processes to facilitate the administration and achievement of concrete and sustainable results in maternal, infant and child nutrition programmes/ projects.

Key functions/accountabilities:
Summary of Key Functions/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

1. Support to programme development and planning
• Generate and utilize research, data, and evidence to inform the design, measurement, and monitoring of dietary diversity programs and outcomes in both development and emergency contexts and to build the evidence base
• Contribute to and support the preparation, design, development, and state-level adoption of a robust gender transformative behavior change communication strategy to improve maternal, infant, and young child nutrition.
• Participate in strategic programme discussions on the planning of gender-sensitive nutrition programmes/ projects, on behavior change communication, and on First Food Africa, Complementary Feeding and Food System interventions, with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Formulate, design, and contribute to the development of high-quality nutrition programme proposals, ensuring alignment with UNICEF’s Strategic Plans, Country Programme, and coherence/ integration with the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), regional strategies, as well as national priorities, plans and competencies.
• Establish specific goals, objectives, strategies, and implementation plans based on results-based planning terminology and methodology (RBM). Prepare high-quality documentation for programme review and approval.
• Work closely and collaboratively with colleagues and partners to discuss gender and nutrition transformative strategies and methodologies and to determine national priorities/ competencies to ensure the achievement of concrete and sustainable results.
• Provide technical and operational support throughout all stages of programming processes to ensure integration, coherence, and harmonization of programmes/ projects with other UNICEF sectors and achievement of results as planned and allocated.
• Identify, disseminate, and adopt best practices and innovative approaches and technology in SBC, integrate them in programme approaches across food system, social protection, WASH and ECD interventions and support SBC and sectoral teams in implementing them.

2. Programme management, monitoring, and delivery of results
• Plan and/ or collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to establish gender transformative monitoring benchmarks, performance indicators, and UNICEF/ UN system indicators and measurements, to assess and strengthen performance accountability, coherence, and delivery of concrete and sustainable results for the assigned sector in nutrition programmes.
• Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual reviews with government and other stakeholders to assess progress and to determine required action and interventions to achieve results.
• Prepare and assess monitoring and evaluation reports to identify gaps, strengths and/or weaknesses in programme management. Identify lessons learned and use the knowledge gained for development planning and timely intervention to achieve goals.
• Actively monitor programmes and projects through field visits, surveys and/ or exchange of information with partners and stakeholders to assess progress. Identify bottlenecks and potential problems and take timely decisions to resolve issues and/ or refer to relevant officials for timely resolution.
• Monitor and verify the optimum and appropriate use of sectoral programme resources (financial, administrative, and other assets) confirming compliance with organizational rules, regulations, procedures, donor commitments, and standards of accountability. Ensure timely reporting and liquidation of resources.
• Prepare regular high-quality programme/ project reports and databases for management, donors, and partners to keep them informed of programme progress.

3. Technical and operational support to programme implementation
• Supported by the Nutrition Manager, conduct in-depth analysis of current food system and dietary diversity, SBC interventions and recommend corrective actions to guide and inform programme strategies across the country.
• Implement food system interventions, dietary diversity and SBC activities that are backed by evidence and strong engagement and participation mechanisms in both development and humanitarian contexts.
• Coordinate with stakeholders and partners for the implementation of community engagement and food system interventions, dietary diversity and SBC in humanitarian actions
• Work with nutrition stakeholders to build consensus on a harmonized national behavior change communication strategy, plans and materials as well as food system interventions
• Provide technical guidance and operational support to government counterparts, NGO partners, UN system partners and other country office partners/ donors on the interpretation, application and understanding of UNICEF policies, strategies, processes, best practices, and behavior change communication approaches on nutrition and related issues to support programme development planning, management, implementation, and delivery of results.
• Participate in discussions with national and sub-national stakeholders to promote nutrition and development issues, especially in the areas of diets and practices
• Draft policy papers, briefs, and other strategic programme materials for management use, information and/ or consideration.

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.
• Represent UNICEF in external meetings as appropriate
• Facilitate programme implementation and build the capacity of stakeholders to achieve programme goals on maternal and child rights as well as social justice and equity.
• Prepare high-quality communication and information materials for Country Office programme advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnerships/ alliances and support fundraising for nutrition programmes (maternal, newborn and child survival and development).
• Participate and/ or represent UNICEF in inter-agency discussions, ensuring that UNICEF’s position, interests, and priorities are fully considered and integrated in the UNDAF development planning and agenda setting.
• Advocate for the inclusion of community engagement and social and behavioral approaches in sectoral workplans based on active participation in sectoral programme planning and reviews and viable recommendations for the integration of SBC for nutrition. Advocate internally and externally for integration of SBC nutrition in national systems, in the country programme, and in sectoral plans

5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building
• Identify, design, and/or organize training materials and opportunities for staff and partners, including on new approaches such as food system approach to nutrition, behavioural insights, human-centered design, and social accountability mechanisms. Use and adapt existing UNICEF learning resources, guidelines and training materials to build capacity among staff, implementing partners and relevant government and non-government counterparts
• Apply and introduce innovative approaches and good practices to build the capacity of partners and stakeholders, and to support the implementation and delivery of normative change
• Keep abreast, research, benchmark, and implement best and cutting-edge practices in nutrition management and information systems. Assess, institutionalize, and share best practices and knowledge learned.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of policies and procedures to ensure optimum efficiency and efficacy of sustainable programmes and projects.
• Organize and implement capacity-building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients and stakeholders to promote sustainable results on nutrition-related programmes and projects.

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

Education:
A university degree in one of the following fields is required: nutrition and food science, public health, health and nutrition promotion, food technology, global/ international health and nutrition, or another related field. A university degree in the food system with proven experience in food system to nutrition for specific programmes is an asset.

Experience:
A minimum of two years of professional experience in a developing country in one or more of the following areas is required: nutrition, public health, social behaviour change communication, food system, nutrition planning and management, or maternal, infant and child health/nutrition care including public advocacy. Experience in food system/ nutrition programme/ project development in a UN system agency or organization is an asset. Prior experience developing food system to nutrition strategies and costed operational plans. Knowledge and prior experience working on MIYCN/IYCF is a plus.

Language Requirements:
Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN language or local language of the duty station is considered as an asset.

Temporary Assignment:

UNICEF staff members holding fixed-term, continuing, or permanent appointments who are considered to be on abolished post status may apply for this temporary position and, if selected with a start date before 31 December 2025, may take it up as a temporary assignment, in line with UNICEF guidance on separation due to the abolition of posts or staff reduction. They will retain their fixed-term entitlements but will not hold a lien to their abolished post. For other scenarios where a Temporary Assignment may be possible, please refer to  Additional guidance on IP to IP temporary assignments after completion of the full TOD.pdf (accessible to internal staff only).

The conditions of a temporary assignment, including relocation entitlements, will depend on the status of the staff member’s original appointment and may be limited in accordance with applicable UNICEF policies, procedures, and practices in force.

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
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. (8) Nurtures, leads and manages people) for supervisory role
During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.
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 benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.
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 promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, 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.
Remarks:
This position has been assessed as an elevated risk role for Child Safeguarding purposes as it is a role with direct contact with children, works directly with children, is a safeguarding response role. Additional vetting and assessment for elevated risk roles in child safeguarding (potentially including additional criminal background checks) applies.
UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates are encouraged to apply.
Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.
UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government 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.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.