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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 for as long as we are needed. 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 professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, a fair chance

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have worked in the Philippines continuously since 1948.

UNICEF’s vision for every child in the Philippines is intimately linked to the realization of several Sustainable Development Goals and the promise to leave no one behind.  By 2030, we want to see that no child in the Philippines suffers from hunger and malnutrition; that every child has access to good health services, quality education opportunities, clean water and sanitation; and children grow up protected and develop in an inclusive, just and peaceful society.

Since its establishment, UNICEF has been helping the Philippine government to strengthen national policies, programmes, and services to ensure that all children in the Philippines enjoy their rights. UNICEF supports the Government to extend the coverage and implementation of policies and legislation that benefit children and the most disadvantaged; to support the implementation of positive budget reforms and leverage the considerable fiscal space; to innovate and adapt national programmes to support inclusivity and relevance in diverse remote rural areas, impoverished urban areas, hazard and conflict-prone areas; and to strengthen national capacity to monitor change for children.

As an impartial partner, we are mandated to work with both state and non-state actors to protect the rights and promote the wellbeing of every child. We have successfully worked through many Government reforms in the Philippines, and we continue to work with the national government, its different agencies, and departments, and with local government units and authorities, including the Bangsamoro Transition Authority in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

UNICEF’s capacity, technical skills and structure allow us to work effectively with policy and decision-makers and be among the first responders to humanitarian crisis. It allows us to assess and respond quickly to the priorities and needs of communities in the most remote and underserved areas of the country. 

Visit this link for more information on UNICEF in the Philippines https://www.unicef.org/philippines/

How can you make a difference? 

The Nutrition Specialist reports to the Nutrition Manager for guidance and general supervision.

The Nutrition Specialist supports the development and preparation of the nutrition programme and is responsible for managing, implementing, monitoring, evaluating, and reporting the programme progress of a sector of the nutrition programme within the country programme. The Nutrition Specialist provides technical guidance and management support throughout the programming processes to facilitate the administration and achievement of concrete and sustainable results in maternal, infant and child nutrition programmes/projects. This is carried out according to plans, allocation, results based-management approaches and methodology (RBM), as well as UNICEF’s Strategic Plans, standards of performance, and accountability framework.

The Nutrition Specialist will have the following Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Support to programme development and planning
• Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results
• Technical and operational support to programme implementation
• Networking and partnership building
• Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  Nutrition Specialist Level 3 - Post 00014888.pdf

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

Minimum requirements:

• Education:

An advanced 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.

• Work Experience: 

A minimum of five (5) 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, or maternal, infant and child health/nutrition care.

A mixed experience of field-level implementation support and strategic level engagement is considered as an asset.

Experience in managing diverse teams is required.

Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.

High level of writing and communication skills, computer skills.

Dynamic, independent, self-motivated, and well organized.

• Skills 

Specific Technical Expertise

Advanced technical knowledge of maternal, infant, child and adolescent nutrition, including evidence-based interventions across the first 1,000 days.

Demonstrated experience in multisectoral nutrition programming, engaging with health, food systems and agriculture, education and early learning, social protection, and WASH sectors for integrated nutrition outcomes.

Proven ability to support national nutrition policy development and implementation, including planning, budgeting, monitoring and alignment with Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) priorities.

Strong understanding of nutrition governance and systems strengthening, including integration into local government planning, public financing mechanisms and community-based programming.

Practical experience in social and behavior change for nutrition, including formative research, design, and implementation of community-based strategies.

Competence in monitoring, evaluation, and data use for nutrition programming, including results-based management, indicators, and information systems.

Familiarity with nutrition in emergencies, preparedness, response, and recovery, including integration with national disaster management systems.

Applied knowledge of gender, equity, and inclusion in nutrition and development programming.

Sound understanding of UNICEF’s Global Nutrition Strategy, Strategic Plan, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) relevant to nutrition outcomes.

Core and Functional Skills:

Strong programme and project management skills, including planning, budgeting, implementation, monitoring, and reporting using RBM principles.

Demonstrated ability in partnership building and coordination, especially with government institutions (DOH, NNC, DSWD and DepEd), the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Country Platform, development partners, and civil society.

Excellent analytical, writing, and communication skills for technical documentation, policy briefs, and advocacy materials.

Capacity to provide technical and operational guidance to government counterparts and implementing partners, ensuring programme quality and coherence.

Ability to translate research and evidence into policy and programme recommendations.

Proficiency in knowledge management, documentation of lessons learned, and application of innovative approaches.

Proficiency in MS Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and experience with corporate systems (e.g., SAP, VISION).

• Language Requirements: 

Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language or local language of the duty station is considered an asset.

Desirables:

Knowledge of global and regional developments in maternal and child nutrition, food systems, and financing for nutrition.

Familiarity with UNICEF partnership and resource mobilization frameworks and collaborative work with UN agencies and development partners.

Understanding of UN inter-agency coordination and humanitarian mechanisms, including cluster systems and joint programming.

Experience in policy advocacy, including engagement in legislative or regulatory processes related to maternal and child nutrition.

Prior experience in a UN system or international organization in programme development, policy, or systems strengthening is an asset.

Knowledge of emerging technologies and data innovations in nutrition programme monitoring and service delivery.

How to apply

Qualified candidates are requested to complete an online candidate profile in http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/ by 07 November 2025. Only applications sent through the e-recruitment portal will be considered.

By applying through our Talent Management System (TMS) you agree to our privacy statement which is in line with the Philippines’ Data Privacy Act. You are strongly advised to read carefully through the privacy statement before submitting your application.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce and encourages qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply.

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 

(8) Nurtures, leads and manages people. 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

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 is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable candidates, irrespective of gender, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living 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.

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 UNICEF personnel 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.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

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.