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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.

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For every child, a better nutrition

UNICEF has been an active partner of the Government of the Philippines and civil society in realizing the rights of every Filipino child, in line with priorities to achieve the SDGs. UNICEF efforts have been focused on the most vulnerable regions identified by the Government of the Philippines Development Plan, particularly in the regions of Visayas and Mindanao. To ensure that interventions are sustainable and scaled up, UNICEF will support both the national and local government units (LGUs) as the main instruments of delivering services and building systems. The level of engagement with government institutions will consider capacities, economies of scale and sector issues.

UNICEF Philippines has two offices. One office is based in Manila and a field office in Cotabato City, the second largest city in Mindanao, Southern Philippines, with some 300,000 population. The city is the regional administrative center of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and over 80 percent of the population is Muslim. Mindanao is both conflict-affected and prone to frequent earthquakes and typhoons.

Visit this link for more information on Philippine Country Office: https://www.unicef.org/philippines/

How can you make a difference? 

Under the supervision of the Nutrition Specialist and in collaboration with the Department of Health, the Consultant will provide technical and operational support to advance maternal and early childhood nutrition initiatives through policy development, advocacy, and systems strengthening. 

1. Early Child Nutrition 

 Support early child nutrition initiatives through policy development and standards development: 

1. Policy Development 

1. Support the development and finalization of policies related to the establishment of Nutrition Support Groups (NSGs), including alignment with existing IYCF strategies, facilitation of stakeholder consultations, and integration into national and subnational implementation frameworks. 
2. Ensure that ECN interventions (e.g., MIYCF Strategic Plan, Milk Code Monitoring, Standards on Complementary Foods, Nutrition Support Groups) are aligned with national frameworks and operational priorities. 
3. Work closely with other consultants supporting ECN policy development initiatives to coordinate efforts, avoid duplication, and ensure consistency across technical outputs and recommendations. 
4. Facilitate collaboration with DOH units to support integrated planning, technical guidance, and alignment of ECN interventions. 
5. Monitor operational progress at the national level, identify challenges, and recommend adjustments to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and coherence across initiatives. 

2. Standards Development (Nutrition Support Group) 

1. Conduct a comprehensive review of global and local evidence on Nutrition Support Groups to inform policy development. 
2. Perform a desk review of the current draft Administrative Order (AO) on the Establishment of Nutrition Support Groups to identify strengths, gaps, and areas for alignment with current global and national standards. 
3. Map existing Nutrition Support Groups across the country to ensure the policy is context-relevant and practical. 
4. Collaborate with the focal person for the IYCF Strategic Plan to align the Nutrition Support Group policy with current IYCF strategies. 
5. Organize and facilitate technical consultation meetings with DOH officials, technical officers, and development partners, including presenting recommendations for review and approval. 

2. Maternal Nutrition 

    Support maternal nutrition initiatives through advocacy, policy development, and systems strengthening: 

1. Advocacy 

1. Promote the transition from Iron Folic Acid (IFA) to Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS) during pregnancy. 

2. Facilitate a maternal nutrition dissemination forum for policymakers and key stakeholders. 

3. Conduct follow-on advocacy activities to support MMS adoption and awareness, specifically, support the organization of the 2^nd Maternal Nutrition Forum  

2. Policy Development 

1. Finalization of the maternal nutrition accelerations plan  

2. Review and update Nutrition Guidelines for Women of Reproductive Age (WRA), including MMS. 

3. Align updated guidelines with the Philippine National Drug Formulary (PNDF) and Omnibus Health Guidelines. 

4. Provide technical inputs and coordinate stakeholder consultations for finalization and approval. 

3. Systems Strengthening 

1. Support the roll-out and dissemination of updated Nutrition Guidelines for WRA at national and subnational levels. 

2. Provide capacity building and mentoring for DOH staff and regional health teams to ensure proper implementation. 

3. Monitor progress and identify challenges for corrective action. 

3. Documentation and Reporting 

1. Prepare technical reports and summaries on policy development, advocacy activities, capacity building, and dissemination. 
2. Consolidate lessons learned and recommendations to inform ongoing maternal and early childhood nutrition initiatives. 
3. Prepare analytical reports to inform on program progress and evidence-based recommendations. 

Tasks:

INCEPTION PHASE

Task 1 – (Maternal Nutrition) Review and Update the Maternal Health and Nutrition Acceleration Plan

Technical Support in reviewing and updating the Maternal Health and Nutrition Acceleration Plan

Task 2 – (ECN) Policy Alignment

Ensure that Nutrition Support Group interventions, along with other ECN initiatives (e.g., MIYCF Strategic Plan, Milk Code Monitoring, Standards on Complementary Foods), are aligned with national frameworks, technical standards, and operational priorities to support consistent and effective implementation.

Task 3 – (Maternal Nutrition) Stakeholder Consultation and Finalization of the Maternal Health and Nutrition Acceleration Plan

Coordinate consultations with DOH and other stakeholders for guideline finalization and approval of the Maternal Health and Nutrition Acceleration Plan.

Task 4 – (ECN) Coordination and Validation with DOH and Stakeholders – Nutrition Support Group

Collaborate with DOH units, technical officers, development partners, and other consultants to coordinate efforts, avoid duplication, and ensure consistency and alignment across all technical outputs and implementation activities.

Task 5 – (Maternal Nutrition) Follow-on Advocacy Activities

Conduct follow-up advocacy activities to promote MMS adoption and awareness.

Task 6 – (ECN) DOH Collaboration and Technical Guidance – Pre-testing of NSG Policy

Facilitate collaboration with DOH units and provide technical guidance in developing the pre-testing questionnaire for the Nutrition Support Group policy, including oversight of the policy’s pilot implementation, support for integrated planning, and alignment of ECN interventions.

Task 7 – (Maternal Nutrition) Maternal Nutrition Forum

Facilitate a maternal nutrition forum to promote the transition from IFA to MMS.

Task 8 – (ECN) Monitoring and Operational Recommendations and Finalization of the Policy

Tracking operational progress of the Nutrition Support Group policy, synthesizing findings from pilot implementation and stakeholder feedback, and supporting the finalization of the policy for national and subnational adoption. 

Task 9 – (Maternal Nutrition) Alignment with PNDF and Omnibus Health Guidelines

Ensure updated guidelines are aligned with PNDF and Omnibus Health Guidelines.

Task 10 – (Maternal Nutrition) Roll-out, Dissemination, and Capacity Building

Support dissemination and capacity building for WRA guidelines at national level.

Task 11 – (Maternal Nutrition) Follow-on Advocacy Activities

Conduct follow-up advocacy activities to promote MMS adoption and awareness.

Task 12 – Consolidated Documentation and Lessons Learned

Consolidate technical outputs, lessons learned, and recommendations across ECN and maternal nutrition initiatives.

Deliverables:

• Inception Workplan based on the tasks identified.
• Accomplishment report documenting review outcomes, updates made, and actions taken by DOH and consultants.
• Accomplishment Report: Documenting the status of alignment, technical guidance, and actions taken to operationalize Nutrition Support Group interventions. The report shall cover the following activities: Conduct a comprehensive review of global and local evidence on Nutrition Support Groups to guide policy development.
• Perform a desk review of the current draft Administrative Order on the Establishment of Nutrition Support Groups to identify strengths, gaps, and alignment with global and national standards.
• Map existing Nutrition Support Groups across the country to ensure the policy is contextually relevant and operationally feasible.
• Collaborate with the IYCF Strategic Plan focal person to align the Nutrition Support Group policy with current IYCF strategies.
• Accomplishment Report: Documenting consultation outcomes, agreements reached, and finalization steps.
• Accomplishment Report: Documenting coordination meetings, key agreements, and joint actions undertaken with DOH and other stakeholders. The report shall cover the following activity:
• Organize and facilitate technical consultation meetings with DOH officials, technical officers, and development partners to present recommendations, gather feedback, and guide the refinement of the Nutrition Support Group policy.
• Accomplishment Report: Documenting follow-on advocacy actions and adoption progress.
• Accomplishment Report: Documenting progress in operationalizing the Nutrition Support Group policy, including technical guidance provided, consultant-led actions, and implementation of aligned interventions. The report shall cover the following activity:
• Develop and refine a pre-testing questionnaire and oversee the pilot implementation of the policy in PMNP and non-PMNP areas to assess feasibility, effectiveness, and operational relevance.
• Accomplishment Report: Summarizing forum outcomes, decisions made, and actions taken by DOH and stakeholders.
• Accomplishment Report: Captures progress in the operationalization of the Nutrition Support Group policy, including challenges identified, corrective actions implemented by the consultant, and recommendations applied. The report shall cover the following activities:
• Continuously update the draft Nutrition Support Group policy by synthesizing and integrating stakeholder feedback, including inputs from DOH regional offices, to ensure relevance, feasibility, and alignment with operational realities.
• Finalize the policy based on pilot testing outcomes, ensuring it reflects evidence from implementation and stakeholder validation.
• Accomplishment Report: Documenting alignment process, consultations, and decisions taken.
• Accomplishment Report:  Highlighting DOH-led implementation actions, training sessions, and follow-up measures.
• Accomplishment Report: Documenting follow-on advocacy actions and adoption progress.
• Final Report integrating ECN and maternal nutrition actions, contributions from DOH and consultants, and recommendations for ongoing initiatives

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  CNF maternal and child consultant_copy.pdf

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

Minimum requirements:

• Education:

  Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition, Public Health, Development Studies, Social Sciences, or a related field.

• Work Experience:
  • At least 7 years of relevant professional experience in nutrition program planning, policy development, or technical assistance at the national level. 
  • Demonstrated experience in maternal and early childhood nutrition interventions, including familiarity with national guidelines, strategic plans, or nutrition frameworks. 
  • Proven experience in working with government health agencies, preferably the Department of Health (DOH) or equivalent institutions. 
  • Experience in policy coordination, technical guidance, and advocacy at the national level, including facilitating stakeholder consultations and multi-stakeholder coordination. 
• Knowledge/Skills/Expertise:
  1. In-depth knowledge of national nutrition policies, guidelines, and interventions, including MIYCF, WRA nutrition, and complementary feeding standards. 
  2. Experience in policy formulation, review, operationalization, and national-level advocacy, including coordinating multi-stakeholder consultations. 
  3. Skilled in planning, coordinating, and monitoring nutrition initiatives and providing technical guidance to government units to ensure effective implementation. 
  4. Ability to analyze technical and operational data, identify gaps, and prepare clear, actionable accomplishment and technical reports. 
  5. Strong interpersonal and communication skills to facilitate coordination among DOH units, consultants, and stakeholders, and to translate technical guidance into actionable recommendations. 
• Language Requirements:
  • Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English and Filipino.

Additional Requirement (optional but advantageous):

• Prior experience in developing or supporting the implementation of nutrition guidelines (e.g., MIYCF and WRA guidelines). 

• Experience in capacity building and mentoring for government staff or technical teams. 

• Familiarity with health systems strengthening approaches and national nutrition policy frameworks. 

HOW TO APPLY

Qualified candidates are requested to complete an online candidate profile in http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/ by 17 April 2026. Only applications sent through the e-recruitment portal under Job Number: 592237 will be considered.

All candidates are requested to submit a COVER LETTER, and the duly filled P11 Form which can be downloaded from our website at P11 Form.docx (sharepoint.com) indicating three (3) previous supervisors. Please indicate your professional fees and the soonest availability to take on the post based on the above terms of reference.

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 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 eligible and suitable candidates irrespective of gender, nationality, 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.

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.