CHARITY JOBS IN AFRICA

Organization: UN Children's Fund
Country: Mali
Closing date: 23 Sep 2014

Purpose of the Position

Under the supervision the Nutrition Manager and under the guidance of the Chief of Child Survival Section, the position is accountable for the development, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of UNICEF's chronic malnutrition prevention activities, with a particular focus on the regions of Mopti and Sikasso and other areas with high prevalence of malnutrition. The objective of reducing the prevalence of chronic malnutrition and improving the public health and nutrition status of children under 2 through a multisectoral approach: promoting appropriate nutrition-specific actions, including support to appropriate Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) and supplementation; as well as ensuring strong linkages with all nutrition-sensitive activities in other sectors, such as health, WASH, education and food security. The position is responsible for ensuring overall efficiency, effectiveness and delivery of results in accordance with UNICEF's Core Commitment for Children in Emergencies (CCCs) and national and international humanitarian standards.

Key Expected Results

1. Designs, prepares, implements, monitors and evaluates chronic malnutrition prevention activities, including micronutrient supplementation and infant and young child feeding programmes in emergency and non-emergency settings. Analyzes and evaluates data to ensure achievement of objectives and takes corrective action when necessary to meet programme/project objectives. Develops the work plan for chronic malnutrition prevention activities and monitors compliance to ensure objectives and targets are met and achieved. Guides and supervises professional and support staff, and provides on-the-job training.
2. Ensure strong multisectoral links and integration with activities in other key sectors (health, WASH, education and food security) in chronic malnutrition prevention, both within UNICEF's programmation and with the Government and partner organizations. Document and share innovative multi-sectoral and nutrition specific chronic malnutrition models for learning and evidence building.
3. Undertakes field visits and surveys to monitor and evaluate chronic malnutrition prevention programmes, as well as conducts periodic programme reviews with government counterparts and other partners. Identifies problems and proposes remedial action. Identifies alternative courses of action, to accelerate/improve programme delivery. Provides technical advice and assistance to government officials and other partners in the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of programme/project(s).
4. Ensure the preparation of the Situation Analysis, nutrition surveys and studies and other data analysis exercises in relation to chronic malnutrition prevention. Participate in the formulation and development of chronic malnutrition prevention goals, strategies and approaches for the UNICEF plan of cooperation. Review and evaluate the technical, institutional and financial feasibility and constraints of chronic malnutrition prevention in coordination and collaboration with government and other partners.
5. Contributes to the development and/or introduction of new and innovative strategies, approaches, methods and practices in project management and evaluation with government and other partners for improving chronic malnutrition prevention activities delivery with emphasis on advocacy, community participation and social mobilization. Ensure UNICEF Nutrition response supports community engagement, and as appropriate, participation in behaviour change communication and social mobilization based on the identified needs and priorities and the local context.
6. Interact with government and partners (including UN, Donors, NGOs, CSOs, etc.) in the different stages of the chronic malnutrition nutrition programme implementation to follow up on cooperation agreements, recommendations and other commitments for the chronic malnutrition response, including the development of national partners' capacity.
7. Represent UNICEF Nutrition Programme in national Nutrition coordination fora for chronic malnutrition prevention needs analysis and prioritisation, as well as for the definition of strategies and standards to ensure the promotion of appropriate chronic malnutrition prevention activities, in accordance with national and international standards.
8. Coordinate with Operations/Supply staff on supply and non- supply assistance activities. Approves disbursement of funds ensuring proper utilization and accountability, and that chronic malnutrition prevention activities are within established plans of action, and the programme budget allotments.
9. Participates in the preparation of all chronic malnutrition prevention programme reports for management, donors, budget reviews, programme analysis, annual reports, etc.

Qualifications of Successful Candidate

Education

Advanced university degree in Health, Nutrition, Social Sciences, or related technical field.

Work Experience

• Five years of progressively responsible professional work experience at the national and international levels in programme management, monitoring and evaluation, in a related field.
• Experience in emergency and development contexts and programme coordination
• Experience working with government agencies, local authorities, international organizations, NGOs and communities in the field of Nutrition
• Experience in other related sectors (WASH, health, food security, etc.) and experience in implementing multi-sectoral activities
• Field work experience.

Language Proficiency

• Fluency in French and English required.
• Knowledge of the local working language of the duty station is an asset.

Competencies of Successful Candidate

• Communicates effectively to varied audiences, including during formal public speaking;
• Able to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment;
• Sets high standards for quality of work and consistently achieves project goals;
• Has good leadership skills; co-ordinates group activities, ensuring that roles within the team are clear;
• Translates strategic direction into plans and objectives;
• Analyzes and integrates diverse and complex quantitative and qualitative data from a wide range of sources;
• Quickly builds rapport with individuals and groups; maintains an effective network of individuals across organizational departments;
• Gains agreement and commitment from others by persuading, convincing and negotiating;
• Creates innovative ways of designing projects or outputs in own work area; produces a range of solutions to problems.

Remarks

The New and Emerging Talent Initiative (NETI) is an entry point for dynamic professionals interested in an international career with UNICEF. Aside from the qualifications indicated in the job description for this post, all NETI programme applicants must also meet the following minimum requirements:

1. Completion of an advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) at the time of application;
2. Proficiency in English and another official language of the United Nations;
3. Readiness to be assigned to any UNICEF office worldwide, including hardship duty stations;
4. At least 2 years of relevant work experience for functions at the P-2 level, and at least 5 years of relevant work experience for functions at the P-3 level. Relevant experience should include work in developing countries and in multicultural environments.

All applicants will be required to complete a technical test questionnaire at the time of application. Only shortlisted candidates will be notified and will therefore advance to the next stage of the competitive selection process, which involves various additional assessments including a language proficiency test.

For more information on the NETI Programme, please visit the UNICEF website: www.unicef.org/neti
*(pending classification)

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organization.

How to apply:

Click here and submit your application through UNICEF's e-recruitment system.