Chief Nutrition, P-5, FT at UNICEF

The Chief Nutrition is responsible for managing and supervising all stages of the nutrition programme, from strategic planning and formulation to delivery of results. The Chief is also responsible for leading and managing the Nutrition team as well as coordinating the early childhood development (ECD) portfolio for the office and its integration into the relevant government sectoral programmes. The Chief is accountable for ensuring that concrete and sustainable results in maternal, infant and child nutrition programmes are achieved in accordance with plans, allocation, results based-management approaches and methodology (RBM), as well as UNICEF’s Strategic Plans, standards of performance, and accountability framework.

Managerial leadership

• Establish the section’s annual work plan with the nutrition team, and set priorities and targets. monitor work progress and ensure results are achieved according to schedule and performance standards
• Establish clear individual performance objectives, goals and timelines; and provide timely guidance to enable the team to perform their duties responsibly and efficiently. Plan and ensure timely performance management and assessment of the team
• Supervise team members by providing them with clear objectives, goals, direction, and guidance to enable them to perform their duties responsibly, effectively and efficiently

Programme development and planning

• Lead and support the planning and updating of the situation analysis to ensure comprehensive and current data on maternal and child nutrition is available to guide policy development and design and management of nutrition programmes and projects
• Keep abreast of development trends to enhance programme management, efficiency and delivery to achieve sustainable, effective and equitable coverage of maternal, newborn and child health and nutrition programme results
• Lead, coordinate and supervise the formulation and design of coordinated multisectoral nutrition programme/project recommendations and related documentations as a component of the Country Programme, establishing clear programme goals, objectives, strategies and results based on results-based planning terminology and methodology (RBM)
• Enhance effective project and guide nutrition programming planning process including inter-sectoral and cross-sectoral planning, development and management by leading, guiding, coordinating and supporting the timely completion of the situational analysis and its periodic update through accurate and complete monitoring and analysis, addressing gender inequality and determinants of gender/sex/geographic equality; ensure the timely preparation or finalization of sectoral input
• Promote the quality of inter-sectoral ECD programming through participation in the formulation of programme goals, and approaches to support national/county governments and partners to implement an ECD Strategic Plan including the modelling of integrated ECD centres. Bring synergy and added value to cross-sectoral ECD programme management processes using a RBM approach to planning and design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the ECD interventions

Programme management, monitoring and quality control of results

• Coordinate, plan and/or collaborate with internal and external partners to establish monitoring benchmarks, performance indicators and other UNICEF/UN system indicators and measurements to assess and strengthen performance accountability, coherence and delivery of concrete and sustainable results in nutrition programmes
• Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual health reviews with the government and other counterparts to assess progress and to determine required action/interventions to achieve results
• Assess monitoring and evaluation reports to identify gaps, strengths and/or weaknesses in programme management
• Monitor programmes and projects to assess progress, identify bottlenecks and potential problems; and take timely decisions to resolve issues and/or refer to relevant officials for timely resolution
• Plan, approve, monitor and control the use of programme resources (financial, administrative and other assets) confirming compliance with organizational rules, regulations, procedures, standards of accountability and integrity, donor commitments. Ensure timely reporting and liquidation of resources

Advisory services and technical support

• Advise key government officials, NGO partners, UN system partners and other country office partners on policies, strategies, best practices and approaches on nutrition and related issues to support Programme development planning, management, implementation and delivery of results
• Participate in strategic programme discussions and planning to provide technical advice, contribute to policy discussions and agendas, and promote health/nutrition interventions, especially in the areas of gender, emergency preparedness and maternal/newborn/child health and nutrition
• Prepare policy papers, briefs and other strategic Programme materials for management use, information and/or consideration
• Participate in emergency preparedness initiatives Programme development and contingency planning and/or to respond to emergencies in country or where designated

Advocacy, networking and partnership building

• Build and strengthen strategic partnerships with nutrition/health sector government counterparts, national stakeholders, global partners, allies, donors, and academia, through active networking, advocacy and effective communication. Build capacity, exchange knowledge and expertise, and/or promote cooperation and alliances to achieve programme goals on maternal and child rights as well as social justice and equity
• Develop communication and information materials to highlight programme goals, achievements and/or needs to promote awareness, establish partnerships/alliances and support fund raising for nutrition programmes (maternal, infant and child survival and development)
• Participate and/or represent UNICEF in appropriate inter-agency (UNCT) discussions and planning on nutrition-related issues to ensure organizational position, interests and priorities are fully considered and integrated in the UNDAF process in development planning and agenda setting. Collaborate with inter-agency partners/colleagues on UNDAF planning and preparation of nutrition programmes/projects

Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Promote critical thinking, innovative approaches and good practices for sustainable nutrition programme/project initiatives through advocacy and technical advisory services
• Keep abreast, research, benchmark, and implement best and cutting edge practices in health management and information systems. Institutionalize and share best practices and knowledge learned
• Lead the development of policies and procedures and introduce innovation and best practices to ensure optimum efficiency and efficacy of sustainable programmes and projects
• Lead, plan and/or implement capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients and stakeholders to promote sustainable results on health/nutrition related programmes/projects

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

• 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
• A minimum of ten 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. Experience in health/nutrition programme/project development and management in a UN system agency or organization is an asset
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.