Health & Nutrition Officers, (2 positions) NOA (Temporary Appointment), Male’ Maldives

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. 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 personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

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

For every child, better health and nutrition

The Health and Nutrition Officer provides professional technical, operational and administrative assistance throughout the programming process to the Health & Nutrition programme and projects. The incumbent applies theoretical and technical skills in researching, collecting, analyzing, and presenting technical programme information to support the development and formulation of the Health & Nutrition Programme within the Country Programme, while learning organizational rules, regulations and procedures.

How can you make a difference? 

1. As the Health & Nutrition Officer focusing on Nutrition, you will be steering the important agenda of promoting child and adolescent nutrition in the Maldives, including delivering programs to reduce malnutrition and non-communicable diseases. The role will also include supporting the immunization program, to ensure that all Maldivian children receive quality vaccines, on time – protecting every child from preventable diseases. 

2. As the Health and Nutrition Officer for Primary Health Care, you will be working closely with partners, and will be instrumental in driving transformative change in enhancing preventive health and community engagement in the health system and communities. By championing community engagement, supporting health promotion efforts, and tapping into innovative models, you will play a pivotal role in building a healthier generation of children, adolescents, and young people and a more resilient society.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  Health & Nutrition Officers – NOA- TA Level 1 VA.pdf

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

The following minimum requirements:

[Include the vacancy requirements aligned to the category and level of the position. You can see examples in the branded VA example.]

• Education: A university degree in one of the following fields is required:  public health, nutrition, epidemiology, global/international health and/or nutrition, health/nutrition research, health/nutrition policy and/or management, health sciences, or another health or nutrition-related social science field.
• Work Experience: At least 1 year of relevant professional (health sector) experience in the country in one or more of the following areas is required: public health, health systems, nutrition, health, and nutrition planning and management, or health services /maternal, infant and child health/nutrition care, in the health or nutrition setting. 

  Professional work experience in a programme management function or a technical expert capacity in child survival, health care, or nutrition.

  Experience in health/nutrition programme/project development in a UN system agency or organization is an asset.

• Language Requirements: Fluency in English & local language is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is an asset.

The following desirables:

• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency.

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 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, time off for breastfeeding purposes[KR5] , and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

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. UNICEF is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will 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.

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’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required[LK6]  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.

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.