UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential. 

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. 

And we never give up. 

For every child, care. 

The third phase of the Multi-Sector Nutrition Plan (MSNP-III), spanning from 2023 to 2030, has been developed under the leadership of the National Planning Commission (NPC) to build on the achievements of MSNP-II and address the unfinished agenda of achieving the SDG 2030, while fulfilling international commitments such as the Nutrition for Growth Summit 2021 and the UN Food Systems Summit 2021. MSNP-III was approved by the Council’s Cabinet on February 1, 2024, and secured €23 million from European Union (EU) for its implementation from 2024 to 2027 This support includes budget support to government and complementary measures through UNICEF.

The success of the EU’s budgetary support for MSNP-III heavily relies on the critical complementary role played by UNICEF. Technical assistance from UNICEF is vital for achieving the key objectives of MSNP-III, particularly in meeting Disbursement Linked Indicators (DLIs) that are linked to fund disbursements. Additionally, UNICEF’s expertise will be essential in scaling up nutrition-friendly governance mechanisms at the local level, enhancing capacities across all relevant sectors, promoting social behaviour change, and strengthening the monitoring and evaluation systems, including sectoral information management and quality reporting. Given these requirements, UNICEF’s technical assistance is crucial to sustain past progress and accelerate efforts toward achieving the ambitious goals of MSNP-III. Further, the financing agreement signed between GoN and the EU on October 4, 2024, governs UNICEF technical support to implement MSNP- III as stated in the Country Program Action Plan (2023-2027).

How can you make a difference? 

Scope of Work:

The consultant will support the National Planning Commission (NPC) and the National Nutrition and Food Security Secretariat (NNFSS) in implementing the Multi-Sector Nutrition Plan (MSNP) and Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement-related tasks. S/he will assist the Hon’ble Member overseeing the Health and Nutrition Portfolio, the SUN Country Coordinator, the Good Governance and Social Development Division, Women, Children and Health Section, MSNP Coordinator, M&E Officer at NPC/NNFSS, and the Local Level Coordination Section at MoFAGA in organizing meetings for the Multi-Sectoral Platforms, including the High-Level Nutrition and Food Security Steering Committee (HLNFSSC), National Nutrition and Food Security Coordination Committee (NNFSCC), MSNP Operation and Facilitation Committee (OFC), and thematic/technical working groups. S/he will also support the collection of data and information from sectoral ministries and stakeholders to document MSNP progress and SUN-related reporting and assist in updating the Nepal Nutrition and Food Security Portal (NNFSP).

Major Tasks:

• Assist in drafting meeting agenda, letter, meeting minutes and reports of the High-Level Nutrition and Food Security Steering Committee (HLNFSSC), National Nutrition and Food Security Coordination Committee (NNFSCC) and thematic/technical working groups and follow up the progress.
• Assist to organize meeting with sectoral ministries and departments, development partners and stakeholders in relation to MSNP planning, coordination, and implementation and draft meeting minutes and reports.
• Assist in day to day to work related to health and nutrition assigned by Hon’ble Member overseeing Health and Nutrition Portfolio and Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Government Focal Point and Good Governance and Social Development Division.
• Support to SUN Government Focal Point for organizing meetings with SUN Movement Secretariat, Regional Representative of SMS, SUN Networks and other relevant stakeholders regarding SUN and draft minutes and reports to document the discussion and outcomes.
• Support to draft briefing notes/concept notes for the SUN Government Focal Point for meeting and webinars organized by SUN Movement Secretariat and SUN Executive Committee.
• Support in documentation of HLNFSSC, NNFSCC, thematic and technical working groups and other workshops and meetings proceedings and reports organized by NPC/NNFSS.
• Support to NNFSS team for partners and intervention mapping across all levels to access the nutrition program and projects, aiming to minimize duplication and enhance collective efforts.
• Assist to NPC/NNFSS and MoFAGA team to document at least two practices quarterly on MSNP implementation progress for EU reporting.
• Assist NPC/NNFSS and MoFAGA to prepare periodic (weekly, monthly and annual) progress report of MSNP, focusing on Disbursement Linked Indicators (DLIs) of EU budget support and SUN related activities.
• Support to NPC/NNFSS and MoFAGA team to collect and compile MSNP related data and information from sectoral ministries, departments, province and local level.
• Support to NPC/NNFSS to draft presentations, talking points and briefing notes for Hon’ble Vice -Chair, Hon’ble Member, Secretary and Joint -Secretary of NPC for the national and international meetings/workshop and conferences.
• Support to NPC/NNFSS team to carry out SUN Joint Annual Assessment and drafting the report.
• Assist in obtaining, and compiling information related to nutrition initiatives from webs, workshop presentation, publications, and share with stakeholders.
• Assist in any other task in relation to MSNP and SUN assigned by Hon’ble Member overseeing Health and Nutrition Portfolio and SUN Government Focal Point, Good Governance and Social Development Division, Women, Children and Health Section of NPC and MSNP Coordinator and M & E Officer of NNFSS as and when required.
• Support local level coordination section, MoFAGA, Information Management, Documentation and Reporting Consultant and MSNP Nutrition and SBC Expert for capacity building activities, documentation, reporting, logistics related to MSNP.

• Assist in drafting meeting agenda, letter, meeting minutes and reports of the High-Level Nutrition and Food Security Steering Committee (HLNFSSC), National Nutrition and Food Security Coordination Committee (NNFSCC) and thematic/technical working groups and follow up the progress.
• Assist to organize meeting with sectoral ministries and departments, development partners and stakeholders in relation to MSNP planning, coordination, and implementation and draft meeting minutes and reports.
• Assist in day to day to work related to health and nutrition assigned by Hon’ble Member overseeing Health and Nutrition Portfolio and Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Government Focal Point and Good Governance and Social Development Division.
• Support in documentation of HLNFSSC, NNFSCC, thematic and technical working groups and other workshops and meetings proceedings and reports organized by NPC/NNFSS.
• Assist to NPC/NNFSS and MoFAGA team to document at least two practices quarterly on MSNP implementation progress for EU reporting.
• Support to NPC/NNFSS and MoFAGA team to collect and compile MSNP related data and information from sectoral ministries, departments, province and local level.
• Assist NPC/NNFSS and MoFAGA to prepare periodic (weekly, monthly and annual) progress report of MSNP, focusing on Disbursement Linked Indicators (DLIs) of EU budget support and SUN related activities.
• Support to NNFSS team for partners and intervention mapping across all levels to access the nutrition program and projects, aiming to minimize duplication and enhance collective efforts.
• Support to SUN Government Focal Point for organizing meetings with SUN Movement Secretariat, Regional Representative of SMS, SUN Networks and other relevant stakeholders regarding SUN and draft minutes and reports to document the discussion and outcomes.
• Support local level coordination section, MoFAGA, Information Management, Documentation and Reporting Consultant and MSNP Policy and Governance Consultant for capacity building activities, documentation, reporting, logistics related to MSNP.
• Support to draft briefing notes/concept notes for the SUN Government Focal Point for meeting and webinars organized by SUN Movement Secretariat and SUN Executive Committee.
• Support to NPC/NNFSS to draft presentations, talking points and briefing notes for Hon’ble Vice -Chair, Hon’ble Member, Secretary and Joint -Secretary of NPC for the national and international meetings/workshop and conferences.
• Assist in obtaining, and compiling information related to nutrition initiatives from webs, workshop presentation, publications, and share with stakeholders.
• Assist for annual review of MSNP and compile the key recommendations for improved MSNP implementation based on the year’s findings.
• Support to finalize annual MSNP progress report and contribute to NPC and MoFAGA annual reporting.
• Review and update the existing partners and interventions mapping, including contact details.
• Support to NPC/NNFSS team to carry out SUN Joint Annual Assessment and drafting the report.

First Deliverable

• Submission of meeting proceedings and report of NNFSCC/HLNFSSC
• Submission of meeting minutes and reports from MSNP-related meetings with sectoral ministries/stakeholders.
• Submission of monthly MSNP update and progress report from NNFSS and provinces.
• Submission of monthly updates and progress report SUN Movement related activities.

Second Deliverable

• Submission of minutes and reports of HLNFSSC, NNFSCC, or working group meetings.
• Submission of two best practices of MSNP focusing on DLIs.
• Submission of monthly MSNP update and progress report from NNFSS and provinces
• Submission of monthly updates and progress report SUN Movement related activities.

Third Deliverable

• Submission of partners and interventions mapping report along with partners /stakeholders contact list
• Submission of meeting minutes and reports of SUN Movements related meetings.
• Submission of reports of two capacity-building sessions.
• Submission of monthly MSNP update and progress report from NNFSS and provinces
• Submission of monthly updates and progress report SUN Movement related activities.

Fourth Deliverable

• Submission of draft briefing notes or concept notes for SUN meetings/webinars/international/workshops/meetings/conferences.
• Submission of monthly MSNP update and progress report from NNFSS and provinces
• Submission of monthly updates and progress report SUN Movement related activities.

Final Deliverable

• Submission of draft key recommendations document for improved MSNP implementation
• Submission of draft final annual MSNP progress report.
• Submission of the updated document of partners and interventions mapping with revised contact details.
• Submission of compiled reports/meeting minutes and briefing notes of MSNP and SUN Movement related activities.
• Submission of Proceedings of SUN JAA

Duration: The duration of the consultancy is for eight months, tentatively starting from mid-June 2025

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

Education:

Minimum bachelor’s degree in public health, nutrition, agriculture/livestock, food technology, health education, social science and related subjects

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

• A minimum of three years of professional experience in health/nutrition or multisectoral nutrition-related programs/projects with government, non-governmental organizations, UN/UN-supported projects.
• Prior experience in planning and programming, with ability to collaborate effectively with government agencies and multiple stakeholders.
• Proficiency in computer skills, including MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Fluency in both English and Nepali is required.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

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.

Remarks:  

female candidates and candidates from the under-represented ethnic groups are strongly encouraged to apply. 

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract.

Candidates are requested to submit their financial proposal based on the deliverables in Nepalese Currency.