Nutrition Specialist- Nutrition and Child Development in Humanitarian Contexts (P-3), FT, Nutrition and Child Development Section, New York # 00129497

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, … a protection

UNICEF’s Nutrition Strategy calls for a systems approach to improving nutrition outcomes through the implementation of nutrition-specific interventions across five systems: food, health, water and sanitation, education, and social protection. These systems have the greatest potential to deliver on the Strategy’s goal to protect and promote nutritious diets, essential nutrition services, and positive nutrition practices that support optimal nutrition for all children, everywhere.

Faced with a growing food and nutrition crisis globally that is resulting in millions of additional children suffering from severe wasting, food insecurity and food poverty, UNICEF launched No Time to Waste Acceleration Plan 2022-2023 to scale services for the early prevention, detection and treatment of child wasting in the countries worst affected by the global crisis.

This Strategic Approach includes a three-year transition plan (2024-2026), in 15 priority countries, to support governments and partners incorporate evidence-based programmatic shifts in alignment with the WHO Guidelines, leveraging the mandate and comparative advantage of each agency. 

How can you make a difference?

UNICEF seeks a strategic and results-oriented Program Specialist to lead the implementation of our new child wasting program across complex humanitarian settings. This critical role demands exceptional program management skills and a proven ability to forge strong partnerships to deliver life-saving interventions at scale.

You will be at the forefront of UNICEF’s efforts to prevent and treat child wasting, working closely with country teams to design and implement innovative solutions. As a core member of our Child Nutrition and Development in Emergencies team, you will oversee program implementation, monitor progress, and build strategic alliances to achieve lasting impact in 15 priority countries.

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

This role is central to the development and implementation of strategies to address child wasting. The incumbent will support the promotion and coordination of the Strategic Approach for Early Actions to Address Wasting in Children and Women across 15 priority countries. They will collaborate with UNICEF Country and Regional Offices to transition child wasting programs to include prevention, early detection, and treatment, particularly in humanitarian settings. Robust monitoring and evaluation systems will be established to track progress and identify areas for improvement. Additionally, the role involves providing direct support to UNICEF Country Offices in priority countries.

A significant component of the position is focused on partnership development and management. The incumbent will identify and cultivate new partnerships with donors and technical partners, develop funding proposals, and facilitate collaboration with key stakeholders, including USAID, the World Food Programme, and the Global Nutrition Cluster. Strong communication and coordination skills will be essential for ensuring effective partnership management and reporting. The role also encompasses knowledge management responsibilities, including data collection, analysis, and dissemination of best practices. The incumbent will contribute to the development of communication materials and support resource mobilization efforts.  JD_ Nutrition Specialist- Nutrition and CD in Humanitarian Contexts (P3) # 00129497.doc

The following minimum requirements:

An Advanced University degree in Nutrition, Public Health, International Development or other relevant field is required.

Work Experience:

A minimum of five years of relevant professional work experience in coordination and planning amongst humanitarian nutrition sector partners, with knowledge and familiarity of the key players within the global humanitarian nutrition architecture is required.

Desirables/Assets:

• Experience in partnership development and management, including bilateral donors, foundations and civil society within the humanitarian nutrition sector is desired.
• Prior experience with proposal applications, grant management and partnerships with the USAID-BHA is an asset.
• Familiarity and practical experience with the roll out of the new WHO recommendations for management of malnutrition, as well as the UNICEF-WFP Strategic Approach for Wasting in Children is an asset.
• Demonstrated analytical and persuasive writing skills experience as well as editing skills, including ability to convey complex information in a clear manner to a diverse audience is desired.
• Background and/or familiarity with developing countries and humanitarian contexts 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…

• Builds and maintains partnerships
• Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
• Drive to achieve results for impact
• Innovates and embraces change
• Manages ambiguity and complexity
• Thinks and acts strategically
• 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, 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:

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

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.

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.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.