Batch Recruitment (2 positions): Nutrition Specialist, NOC, FT, (#128708, #128717), Port Sudan / Kassala – Sudan, MENA

The Nutrition Specialist supports the development and preparation of the nutrition programme and is responsible for managing, implementing, monitoring, evaluating, and reporting the programme progress of a sector of the nutrition programme within the country programme. The Nutrition Specialist provides 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.

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, Care

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 so all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. 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. UNICEF has been in Sudan since 1952 and continues with a presence in 12 of Sudan’s 18 states.

Sudan is among the top four 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. The estimated people in need for nutrition services is projected to rise further with the deteriorating nutrition determinants. Currently, the nutrition cluster estimate that 3.67 million children under five will suffer from acute malnutrition during 2024, out of which, 729,000 children will have severe acute malnutrition which put them at immediate risk of death if not treated on timely manner.

The micronutrient deficiencies in Sudan are widely spread and a concerning public health matter that contributes to morbidity and mortality and negatively impact human productivity and country economic growth. Most common micronutrient deficiencies in Sudan include iron deficiency anaemia, Vitamin A, iodine, calcium, and Vitamin D deficiencies that affect infant, children under five years, adolescent, and pregnant and lactating women. The S3M survey of 2018 has shown situation of a poor micronutrient status among the most vulnerable groups of infants, children under five years, adolescent, pregnant and lactating women and more than 14 states out of 18 have significant prevalence rate for one or more of those micronutrient deficiency. The survey results estimated the prevalence of anemia among children under 5 and reproductive age non pregnant women in Sudan respectively at 48% and at 30% while 37% of pregnant women have amenia. The same survey has shown also 40% and 55% of preschool age children and non-pregnant women of reproductive age respectively have hypocalcemia and the prevalence of iodine deficiency was at 25.6% among non-pregnant reproductive age women.

Most of Infant and Young Child Feeding practices in Sudan are not optimal and that contributes to increased risks of morbidity and mortality among young children and put them at higher risk of chronic negative consequences in their future such as stunting and reduced productivity and cognitive capabilities. The S3M survey of 2018 has shown situation of a poor infant and young child feeding practices especially in the complementary feeding indicators. Minimum dietary diversity among under-fives is low at 25 per cent, and only 63 percent of under two children receive the age-appropriate meal frequency. While breastfeeding is common practice in Sudan, the level of exclusive breastfeeding stand at 62 percent, with only 73% of age-appropriate continued breastfeeding. The micronutrient malnutrition is prevalent, with 48 per cent of under-five children experiencing anaemia due to iron deficiency.

How can you make a difference?

You supports the development and preparation of the nutrition programme and is responsible for managing, implementing, monitoring, evaluating, and reporting the programme progress of a sector of the nutrition programme within the country programme. The Nutrition Specialist provides 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.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Support to programme development and planning
2. Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results
3. Technical and operational support to programme implementation
4. Networking and partnership building
5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building.

For more details please check the JD :  TOR – Nutrition Specialist (2 positions), NOC, 128708 & 128717 – Sudan.pdf

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.

• Work Experience: A minimum of five 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 and Arabic is required.

The following desirables:

• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency.
• Language: Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language.

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 (8) Nurtures, leads and manages people.

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, breastfeeding breaks, 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:

Candidates are kindly requested to identify the duty station they are applying for in the cover letter.

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 Female candidates are encouraged to apply.

UNICEF only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/”

Only shortlisted candidates will be notified and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

The VA is open to all (internal and external candidates

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. 

Candidates are kindly requested to identify the duty station they are applying for in the cover letter.

UNICEF shall not facilitate the issuance of a visa and working authorization for candidates under consideration for positions at the national officer and general service category.]

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