UNICEF SOMALIA
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT REF: UNSOM/2011/065
Title: Nutrition Officer
Category and Grade Level: NOA
Type of Contract: Temporary Appointment
Length Of Contract: 364 days
Organization Unit: Accelerated Child Survival and Development (ACSD)
Duty Station: Hargeisa, Somalia
Date of Issue: 15 September 2011
Closing date of Application: 24 September 2011
If you are qualified Somali National and looking for a chance to make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable Somali children while gaining opportunities for career growth, you are invited to apply for the Nutrition Officer position with UNICEF Somalia, Hargeisa office.
If successful, you’ll be part of a dynamic and passionate team in Nairobi and Somalia that works together to improve the health, nutrition, water, sanitation, hygiene, and basic education of Somali girls and boys and protect them from violence, exploitation and abuse".
Purpose of the Post
Under the close supervision of the Nutrition Specialist NWZ, contributes to programme planning, administration, implementation, monitoring and the evaluation of programme/project activities, including teamwork and capacity building for infant and young child feeding, maternal nutrition and micronutrient deficiency disorder control within the Nutrition sector.
Major duties and responsibilities:
1. Undertake on-going field visits to UNICEF project sites for supportive supervision and monitoring of Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF), maternal nutrition and micronutrient deficiency disorder control project activities and local conditions. Prepare routine reports on results of visits and project progress.
2. Assist government authorities and other partners in planning and organizing training programmes on IYCF, micronutrient deficiency disorders control and maternal nutrition, and ensures logistics, administrative and technical assistance to all UNICEF-supported IYCF and maternal nutrition training workshops. Assist with identification of training needs and objectives for the purpose of capacity
building, programme sustainability, as well as promotion and advocacy in infant and young child feeding.
3. Draft sound IYCF, maternal nutrition and micronutrient deficiency disorder control project implementation plans and budgets, ensuring consistency with annual work plans, national nutrition strategies, accuracy and appropriateness of coding in accordance with PIDB (Programme Information Database) system and budget allotments. Drafts and issues updated status reports.
4. Collect and assemble data and background information with regard to IYCF, maternal nutrition and micronutrient deficiency disorder control project activities and provides updated information on programme/project financial and administrative status for analysis and report purposes. Analyses programme/project status and recommends appropriate adjustments. Prepare tables, graphs or other statistical data for technical review/monitoring purposes.
5. Assist with documentation, implementation follow-on of innovative nutrition approaches and other operational research activities for IYCF, maternal nutrition, micronutrient deficiency disorders control and nutrition related aspects of Communication for Development (C4D)
6. Monitor the flow of IYCF, maternal nutrition and micronutrient deficiency disorder control project supply and non-supply assistance to local authorities. Drafts supply and financial documentation. Collect and record information on supply/non-supply inventory, distribution and utilization.
7. Investigate queries regarding authorization, delivery or payments and follows up with Finance, Administrative, Supply and Programme staff on processing of payments, advances to governments and liquidation of accounts for IYCF, maternal nutrition and micronutrient deficiency disorder control project activities. Ensure that activities are in accordance with plans of action.
8. Communicate with counterpart local authorities on IYCF, maternal nutrition and micronutrient deficiency disorder control project details and promote knowledge sharing. Recommends courses of action to the supervisor
9. Undertake arrangements for visits to project sites for government and other partners, which include providing information and briefing on IYCF, maternal nutrition and micronutrient deficiency disorder control project activities and status.
10. Assist with drafting sections of donor, annual and other reports related to IYCF, maternal nutrition and micronutrient deficiency disorder control project, as required by section.
11. Assist with emergency nutrition preparedness and response in NWZ.
Qualifications, Experience and competencies
University degree in Public Health, Nutrition, Nursing, Social Sciences, or a related technical field.
Minimum 3 years’ experience with at least 1 year of progressively responsible professional work experience in public health / nutrition project administration, including data collection and analysis. Field work experience in community nutrition, IYCF, micronutrient deficiency disorder control and emergency preparedness and response activities.
Specific Technical Knowledge Required
Advanced knowledge of IYCF, maternal nutrition, control of micronutrient deficiency disorders and emergency nutrition.
Essential Technical Knowledge of the theories, principles, methods and practices in one of the following areas:
o Public Health & Nutrition, International Health & Nutrition, Family and Community Health & Nutrition, Public Health, Health Emergency Preparedness
o Nutritional Epidemiology, Nutrition Research
o Health & Nutrition Education, Health & Nutrition Promotion and Disease Prevention, Educational Interventions in Health & Nutritional Care
General knowledge of global health and nutrition issues, specifically relating to children and women, and the current trends, methods and approaches required. Policies and strategy to address national and global health and nutrition issues, particularly relating to conflicts, natural disasters, and recovery. Programmatic goals, visions, positions, policies and strategies in Nutrition.
Fluency in English and Somali required.
High sense of integrity and Results oriented.
Ability to organize and prioritize work.
Ability to communicate with tact.
Ability to work independently and accurately.
Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural environment, and establish harmonious and effective working relationships both within and outside the organization.
Computer skills, including internet navigation, and various office applications.
Interested and qualified candidates should send their applications with updated UN Personal History Form (P.11) form, updated CV and copies of academic certificates to the email address below. UN staff are requested to provide the last two Performance Evaluation Reports (PERs). Please quote the vacancy number and the position title in your application.
Email to: somaliahrvacancies@unicef.org
QUALIFIED FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE ESPECIALLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY