Nutrition Officer

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Description

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Purpose for the job:

The Nutrition Officer provides professional technical, operational and administrative assistance throughout the programming process for the nutrition programmes and projects which are substantially part of the Health Programme, but cross cut other programmatic areas. The incumbent applies theoretical and technical skills in researching, collecting, analyzing, and presenting technical programme information to support the development and formulation of the Nutrition Programme within the Country Programme.  The Nutrition Officer also supports implementation and monitoring of the Nutrition Programme while adhering to organizational rules, regulations and procedures.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities: 

Support to programme development and planning

• Research and analyze regional and national political, nutritional, social and economic development trends. Collect, analyze, verify, and synthesize information to facilitate programme development, design and preparation. 
• Prepare technical reports and inputs for programme preparation and documentation, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and relevancy of information. 
• Facilitate the development and establishment of sectoral programme goals, objectives, strategies, and results-based planning, through analysis of nutrition needs and areas for intervention, as well as submission of assessments for priority and goal setting. 
• Provide technical and administrative support throughout all stages of programming processes by executing and administering a variety of technical programme transactions, preparing materials and documentations, and complying with organizational processes and management systems, to support programme planning, results-based planning (RBM) and monitoring and evaluating of results. 
• Prepare required documentations and materials to facilitate the programme review and approval process. 

Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results.

• Work closely and collaboratively with colleagues and partners to collect, analyze and share information on implementation issues. Suggest solutions on routine programme implementation and submit reports to alert appropriate officials and stakeholders for higher-level intervention and/or decisions. Keep records of reports and assessments for easy reference and/or to capture and institutionalize lessons learned.  
• Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual sectoral reviews with the government and other counterparts, and prepare minutes and reports on results for follow up action by higher management and other stakeholders. 
• Monitor and report on the use of sectoral programme resources (financial, administrative and other assets), verifying compliance with approved allocation, goals, organizational rules, regulations, procedures, donor commitments, standards of accountability, and integrity. Report on issues identified to ensure timely resolution by management and stakeholders. Follow up on unresolved issues to ensure resolution. 
• Prepare inputs for sectoral programme and donor reporting. 

Technical and operational support to programme implementation

• Undertake field visits, exchange information with partners and stakeholders to assess progress and provide technical support for achievement of results. Take appropriate action to resolve issues and/or refer to relevant officials for resolution. Report on critical issues, bottlenecks and potential problems for timely action to achieve results.
• Provide technical and operational support to government counterparts, NGO partners, UN system partners, and other country office partners and donors on the application and understanding of UNICEF policies, strategies, processes, and best practices on nutrition related issues to support programme implementation, operations and delivery of results.
• Provides technical assistance in the integration of the Health & Nutrition programme with other sectors such as HIV/AIDS, ECD, WASH, Social Protection and in emergencies.
• Supports the improvement of programme delivery with emphasis on sustainability of intervention and community participation based on Human Rights framework and cross sector approach to programming and Community Capacity Development. 

Networking and partnership building

• Build and sustain effective close working partnerships with nutrition sector government counterparts and national stakeholders through active sharing of information and knowledge to enhance programme implementation and build capacity of stakeholders to deliver concrete and sustainable results. 
• In collaboration with the Communications and Advocacy team, draft communication and information materials for CO programme advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnership/alliances and support fund raising for nutrition programmes. 
• Participate in appropriate inter-agency (UNCT) meetings and events on programming to collaborate with inter-agency partners/colleagues on UNMSDF operational planning and preparation of nutrition programmes/projects; and to integrate and harmonize UNICEF’s position and strategies with the MSDF development, planning, implementation and monitoring processes. 
• Research information on potential donors and prepare resource mobilization materials and briefs for fund raising and partnership development purposes. 

Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Identify, capture, synthesize, and share lessons learned for knowledge development and to build the capacity of stakeholders. 
• Apply innovative approaches and promote good practices to support the implementation and delivery of concrete and sustainable programme results. 
• Research, benchmark and report on best and cutting edge practices for development planning of knowledge products and systems. 
• Participate as a resource person in capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of UNICEF, its partners and stakeholders.

Qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• A 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 three 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 in a UN system agency or organization is 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.

Source: https://jobs.unicef.org/en-us/job/562673/nutrition-officer-no1-fixed-term-kingston-jamaica

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