Health & Nutrition Advocacy Consultant

UNICEF’s Office for Relations with the EU Institutions in Brussels is looking for a highly motivated and experienced health & nutrition advocacy expert to join our team for a period of 18 months (full-time). The consultant is expected to lead the development and implementation of advocacy actions and activities on the prioritization of maternal and child health and nutrition in EU external action. The candidate will contribute to other key areas of work of the UNICEF Office for Relations with the EU Institutions in Brussels, namely engagement on the next MFF (2028-34) and engagement during the EU Council Presidency Trio with a health and nutrition focus. The ideal candidate has advocacy expertise in global health and nutrition, knowledge of EU development policy and financing and experience in engaging with EU institutions.

Responsibilities and key activities:

• Building on existing UNICEF engagement and advocacy strategies, the consultant will be responsible for delivering on key areas to advance child health & nutrition at EU level through high-level engagement and targeted advocacy to influence EU policy and funding priorities. These activities include:
• Coordinate the development of a position paper and issue briefs on the importance of maternal and child health and nutrition for EU Global Health Strategy implementation.
• Organize events, roundtables and high-level briefings to increase the awareness of EU officials and decisionmakers and mobilize political and financial support for maternal and child health and nutrition, where relevant in collaboration with other partners such as WHO, Gavi and civil society organizations, and where necessary support leadership in preparation for high-level meetings
• Liaise with relevant organizational units within UNICEF and with UNICEF National Committees in EU Member States to align relevant advocacy efforts at global, Brussels and capital levels.
• Lead EU-focused implementation of UNICEF global health and nutrition advocacy campaigns and activities.
• Coordinate with other UN agencies and global health civil society organizations in Brussels on increasing visibility of the role of the EU in human development through undertaking joint advocacy in this area, and in safeguarding human development in the EU Global Gateway and next MFF.
• Engagement and advocacy in the context of the Danish EU Presidency at both the EU and Member State level to increase visibility and prioritization of child health and nutrition, while broadening the scope to work with other Member States.

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

• An advanced university degree (master’s or higher) in public health, international development, social sciences or other relevant discipline.
• Alternatively, a first-level University Degree in a relevant field combined with (2) additional years of qualifying professional experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• A minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible and relevant professional experience in managing advocacy programmes in the area of global health and/or nutrition.
• Knowledge of the EU institutions, EU decision-making processes and EU development policy as well as experience in Brussels engaging with the EU institutions.
• A good understanding of the global health architecture and the EU’s role in global health.
• Previous work experience with one of the UN health agencies, international global health NGOs or one of the global health initiatives is desirable.
• Previous experience in/with UNICEF, including knowledge of UNICEF programmes and operations, policies and procedures is an asset.
• Excellent writing, communication and presentation skills in English. Knowledge of French is an asset.
• Highly developed interpersonal skills and an aptitude for problem solving.

Source: https://jobs.unicef.org/cw/en-us/job/578278