VA-2015-004
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Pretoria is inviting applications from suitably qualified South African nationals for the Fixed Term post of:
Nutrition Specialist, NO-D
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If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world’s leading child rights organization would like to hear from you.
UNICEF is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to advocate for the protection of children's rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential. Guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, it strives to establish children's rights as enduring ethical principles and international standards of behaviour and action towards children. In South Africa, UNICEF supports national efforts to realize children’s rights by promoting evidence-based policy advocacy and strategic partnerships as a means to leverage policies and resources for children, giving special attention to vulnerable children and disparity reduction. It works in the areas of health and nutrition, early childhood development; basic education; child protection and social policy, planning, monitoring and evaluation.
Fixed-Term
Duration: 2 year – with possibility of extension
PURPOSE OF THE POST:
Under the guidance of the Chief of Health & Nutrition, the incumbent is responsible for the strategy development, coordination, planning, management, monitoring and evaluation of those Country Program activities that focus on enhancing the coverage of high impact nutrition interventions that will strengthen child health and development results. The incumbent will provide technical assistance for the acceleration of the Infant and young child feeding programme interventions in line with priorities identified within the Department of Health Negotiated Services Delivery Agreement (2010-2014) and the Strategic Plan on nutrition.
Responsibilities include:
- Designs, prepares, implements, monitors and evaluates the nutrition and child survival project(s), in the Health and Nutrition programme. Analyzes and evaluates data to ensure achievement of result statements and/or takes corrective action when necessary to meet country programme objectives.
- Provide technical inputs and guidance on Community Based Nutrition programming (focusing on growth monitoring, vitamin A , deworming and other child survival interventions), and Infant and Young Child feeding at national, provincial and local levels in South Africa. Responsible for C-IMCI and IYCF implementation and participates in inter-sectoral collaboration with other programme colleagues
- Undertakes field visits to monitor programmes, as well as conducts periodic programme reviews with government counterparts and other partners. Proposes and/or undertakes action on operational procedures affecting project management and implementation.
- Contributes towards the preparation of the Country Programme Document and Annual Work plans, Country Programme Summary Sheet, funding proposals and other programme documents, as required.
· Coordinates and collaborates with key national and international agencies regarding nutrition and child survival projects. Participates in meetings with ministries responsible for child survival and nutrition review, and follows up on implementation of recommendations and agreements.
- Coordinates with the Operations/Supply staff on supply and non-supply assistance activities ensuring proper and timely UNICEF and government accountability. Certifies disbursements of funds, monitors and submits financial status reports to the section head or Sr. Programme Officer or Representative, as required.
- Ensures the accurate and timely input of project information in the computerized programme system, and issues status reports for monitoring and evaluation purposes, donor reports, budget review, annual report and project analysis.
- Certifies disbursements of funds, monitors and submits financial status reports to the unit chief. Issues status reports for monitoring and evaluation purposes, including donor reports.
Desired Background and Experience:
Advanced university degree in one of the disciplines relevant to the following areas: Public Health & Nutrition, Health Sciences, International Health & Nutrition, Public Health & Nutrition Policy and Management, Family Health & Nutrition, Nutritional Epidemiology, Health & Nutrition Education, Health & Nutrition Promotion and Disease Prevention, Public Health, Health Emergency Preparedness, or other relevant discipline(s).
Eight years of progressively responsible professional work experience at the national level in programme management, monitoring and evaluation, in child survival and or nutrition programmes and has proven experience in child survival and development issues. Experience in working with government is essential.
Sharing UNICEF Core Values of:
· Commitment • Diversity and Inclusion • Integrity
Proficiency in UNICEF Core Competencies of:
• Communication • Working with People • Drive for Results
Proficient in functional competencies of:
• Leading and Supervising • Formulating Strategies and Concepts • Analyzing
• Relating and Networking • Deciding and Initiating Action • Applying Technical Expertise
HOW TO APPLY:
All applications are to be accompanied by the attached completed and signed Personal History form (P11 Form), CV and application letter with a clear reference of the position being applied for. Applications are to be sent on or before 18 March, 2015to the following email address:safpretoriavacancy@unicef.org
Only South African nationals will be considered. If you have not been contacted within one month of the closing date, please accept that your application was unsuccessful. Regret letters will only be sent to interviewed candidates.
Incomplete applications will not be considered. Only complete applications consisting of detailed CV and P11 form will be reviewed.
CANDIDATES WHO RESPONDED TO THE FIRST ADVERT SHOULD NOT RE-APPLY
UNICEF IS A SMOKE FREE ENVIRONMENT.
UNICEF is committed to gender balance and diversity without distinction as to race, sex or religion, and without discrimination of persons with disabilities. well qualified candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
