The Nutrition Manager supports the Chief in managing the section, contributing to innovation and knowledge management. S/He is responsible for developing, preparing and managing complex, key and integrated nutrition programmes. Given the unique situation Sudan is in, the nutrition manager leads the design of a novel approach to develop context specific package of humanitarian prevention interventions. Among the contexts are IDPs integrated within host communities, IDPs in camp like setting or in a gathering point, urban population as well as population across conflict lines.
The Nutrition Manager provides authoritative 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 manager ensures compliance of preventions interventions with the UNICEF Core Commitments for Children in humanitarian action (CCCs).

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For every child, support.

II. Organizational Context and Purpose for the job

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programmes, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, nutrition, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

Sudan is among the countries in the world with the highest prevalence of global acute malnutrition (GAM), with an estimated 13.6 percent. The nutrition outlook is expected to deteriorate in 2024 due to ongoing conflict since mid of April, food security decline, compromised health and WASH services, and prolonged displacement.

Sudan is home to the highest IDP population globally presenting a unique vulnerability to malnutrition and need for prevention of malnutrition in humanitarian setting. With prolonged emergency, there is a major risk that both the IDPs and the communities hosting IDPs could see a sharply deteriorating food security and nutrition situation. Especially those in camp like setting require innovative approach to prevent malnutrition at scale in collaboration with key sectors and systems the contribute to the drivers of malnutrition.

Four of the eight nutrition core commitments for children in humanitarian action relate to the prevention of malnutrition. The situation in Sudan presents a unique challenge to deliver on UNICEF’s decision to put prevention at the center of humanitarian action.

How can you make a difference? 

Job organizational context:

The Nutrition Manager reports to the Chief of Nutrition who is at Level 5.

Purpose for the job:

The Nutrition Manager supports the Chief in managing the section, contributing to innovation and knowledge management. S/He is responsible for developing, preparing and managing complex, key and integrated nutrition programmes. Given the unique situation Sudan is in, the nutrition manager leads the design of a novel approach to develop context specific package of humanitarian prevention interventions. Among the contexts are IDPs integrated within host communities, IDPs in camp like setting or in a gathering point, urban population as well as population across conflict lines.

The Nutrition Manager provides authoritative 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 manager ensures compliance of preventions interventions with the UNICEF Core Commitments for Children in humanitarian action (CCCs).

III. Key function, accountabilities and related duties/tasks

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

 

1. Management and advisory support to the Chief
2. Programme development and planning, including in humanitarian setting
3. Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results for prevention of malnutrition in humanitarian settings
4. Advisory services and technical support
5. Advocacy, networking and partnership building
6. Knowledge management and capacity building
7. Innovation for prevention interventions at scale in humanitarian setting

 

1. Management and advisory support to the Chief

• Provide advice to the Chief in establishing the annual work plan, including developing strategies and determining priorities, targets and performance measurements.
• Coordinate work progress monitoring and ensure results are achieved according to schedule and performance standards, and report to Chief critical issues for timely action.
• Provide technical assistance and advice to colleagues in the section on all aspects of programming and implementation to enable them to achieve performance objectives.
• Perform the full duties of the Chief in his/her absence.

1. Programme development and planning, including in humanitarian setting.

• Provide technical support and guidance on the preparation, design and updating of the situation analysis for the nutrition sector/s to ensure comprehensive and current data on maternal and child nutrition is available to guide policy development as well as design and management of nutrition programmes/projects.
• Keep abreast of development trends to enhance programme management, efficiency and delivery.
• Participate in strategic programme discussions on the planning of nutrition programmes/projects.
• Formulate, design and prepare a sector of the nutrition programme proposal, ensuring alignment with UNICEF’s Strategic Plans, Country Programme, and coherence/integration with the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), regional strategies, as well as national priorities, plans, and competencies.
• Establish specific goals, objectives, strategies, and implementation plans for the sector(s) based on results-based planning terminology and methodology (RBM). Prepare required documentations for programme review and approval.
• Work closely and collaboratively with colleagues and partners to discuss strategies and methodologies, and to determine national priorities and competencies to ensure the achievement of concrete and sustainable results.
• Provide authoritative technical and operational support throughout all stages of programming processes to ensure integration, coherence and harmonization of programmes/projects with other UNICEF sectors and achievement of results as planned and allocated.
• Ensure the Crisis Response Plan, HRP and other country program and UN wide plans are formulated with SMART goals towards prevention of stunting, wasting and micro-nutrient deficiencies among under-fives, during middle childhood and adolescents, as well as among pregnant and breastfeeding women.
• Provide authoritative technical and operational support for designing of context specific prevention actions among communities affected by the Sudan humanitarian crisis, including the incorporation of Humanitarian, Peace, and Development nexus.

1. Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results for prevention of malnutrition in humanitarian settings.

• 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 for the assigned sector 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 and interventions to achieve results.

• Prepare and assess monitoring and evaluation reports to identify gaps, strengths and/or weaknesses in programme management. Identify lessons learned and use knowledge gained for development planning and timely intervention to achieve goals.

• Design tools and methods for context specific monitoring, including remote monitoring/ monitoring through a third party, of prevention interventions among under-five, school age children, adolescents, pregnant and breastfeeding women.

• Actively monitor programmes and projects through field visits, surveys and/or exchange of information with partners and stakeholders, third-party monitoring 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, monitor and verify the optimum and appropriate use of sectoral programme resources (financial, administrative and other assets) confirming compliance with organizational rules, regulations, procedures, donor commitments, and standards of accountability. Ensure timely reporting and liquidation of resources.

• Prepare regular and mandated programme/project reports for management, donors and partners to keep them informed of programme progress.

1. Advisory services and technical support

• Provide advice to key government officials, NGO partners, UN system partners, and other country office partners/donors on policies, strategies, best practices and approaches on nutrition-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, and child health and nutrition.

• Provide strategic technical guidance to the nutrition cluster and related relevant forums including the IYCF TWG on the integration of prevention interventions within the humanitarian programming cycle.

• Prepare policy papers, briefs and other strategic programme materials for management use, information and/or consideration.
• Participate in emergency preparedness initiatives for programme development, contingency planning and/or to respond to emergencies

5.         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.
• Prepare 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, newborn 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.

 

6. Knowledge management and capacity building

• 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.

• Contribute to the development of policies and procedures and best practices to ensure optimum efficiency and efficacy of sustainable programmes and projects.

• Organize, 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.

7.Innovation for prevention interventions at scale in humanitarian setting

• Promote critical thinking, innovative approaches and good practices for sustainable nutrition programme/project initiatives through advocacy and technical advisory services.

• Design of novel approaches to develop context specific package of humanitarian prevention interventions. Among the contexts are IDPs integrated within host communities, IDPs in camp like setting or in a gathering point, urban population as well as population across conflict lines.
• Facilitate critical reflection and learning from MCCT+ implementation to design approaches to scale up prevention interventions linked with cash and other social protections interventions.
• Provide strategic initiative for testing and scale up of new approaches for better linkage with WASH, Health, Food and Education interventions that have impacts on the key determinants of malnutrition.
• Design approaches that will maximize the opportunities created by nutrition response platforms to foster peace, and conflict sensitive programming.

IV. Impact of Results

The efficiency and efficacy of support provided by the Nutrition Manager to the preparation, planning and implementation of nutrition programmes/projects contributes to and accelerates the national development as well as the humanitarian response efforts to improve the nutritional status of mothers, infants and children, and avert further deterioration as a result of the current crisis in the country. This in turn contributes to maintaining and enhancing the credibility and ability of UNICEF to continue to provide programme services to mothers and children that promotes greater social equity in the country.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: Nutrition Manager Level 4 (Prevention), SUD24167.docx

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

The following 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.

Experience: A minimum of eight 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

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

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…

ii) Core Competencies (For Staff with Supervisory Responsibilities) *

• Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (2)

• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (2)
• Works Collaboratively with others (2)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (2)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (2)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (2)
• Drive to achieve impactful results (2)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)

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, 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:

UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female 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.

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.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.