Chief Nutrition, P-5, Dhaka

Purpose:

Under the overall guidance of the Representative/Deputy Representative, you will be accountable for the development, design, planning, implementation and management of the Nutrition project/programme within the country programme. As head of section, you will direct, lead and manage a group of professional and support staff to develop, manage and administer the sectoral or inter-sectoral project/programme.

Qualification:

Advanced university degree in the combination of the selective disciplines relevant to the following areas: Public Health & Nutrition, Health Sciences, International Health & Nutrition, Public Health & Nutrition Policy and Management, Family and Community Health & Nutrition, Nutritional Epidemiology, Health & Nutrition Education, Health & Nutrition Promotion and Disease Prevention, Public Health Preparedness, Health Emergency Preparedness, or other relevant discipline(s).* Ten years of relevant professional work experience. Developing country work experience and field work experience. Background/familiarity with Emergency. Fluency in English and another UN language. Knowledge of the local working language of the duty station an asset.

*A first level university degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Key Expected Results:

1.Project Planning, Development and Management. Manage effectively project, sectoral or inter-sectoral planning, development and management by supervising, coordinating, or supporting the timely completion of the Situational Analysis and its periodic update through accurate and complete monitoring and analysis and the timely preparation or finalization of sectoral input. Ensure timely submission.

Monitor developments at the international, regional and provincial levels; develop methodologies and new approaches for improving Nutrition programme effectiveness.

Provide seasoned technical recommendations and advice on major programme directions and on introduction of new initiatives in the country.

2.Knowledge Management

Ensure effective knowledge management by drafting or finalizing sectoral documents and reports such as the Country Programme Recommendation and Plans of Action as well as through sharing of implementation experience, lessons learned knowledge/information/data exchange.

Conduct orientation and training programmes targeted to Government authorities.

Provide authoritative advice/guidance/interpretation of programme policy and guidelines.

3.Rights-Based Projects through Results-Based Approach.

Promote the quality of rights-based Nutrition projects and programmes through the formulation of project goals and strategies and approaches. Bring coherence, synergy and added value to sectoral or project management processes using a results-based management approach to planning and design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.

4.Sectoral Work Plan Development, Implementation, and Monitoring.

Responsible for development of the sectoral work plan as well as implementation and monitoring of assigned project/sectoral activity, ensuring compliance with project strategies and approaches; provide training, support and guidance to sectoral team.

5.Project Delivery, Evaluation and Reporting.

Ensure project, sectoral or inter-sectoral efficiency and delivery through a rigorous and transparent approach to evaluation. Participation in major evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual sector review meetings with government counterparts. Ensure the preparation of annual Nutrition sector status reports.

6.Promotion of UNICEF Global Goals.

Promote the organization goals of UNICEF through advocacy and policy dialogue in the Nutrition sector through active engagement in communication, networking and participation at every opportunity inside and outside UNICEF, leveraging the strength of UNICEF mission, goals and programmes.

7.UNICEF and Government Accountability.

Coordinates with Operations and 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 management in compliance with the regulations and guidelines.

8.Communication, Collaboration, Networking and Partnership.

• Provide technical and policy advice to the Senior Programme Officer on Nutrition project or sectoral strategies, planning and implementation; provide interpretation of guidelines and organizational policy, contributing to the development of new guidelines through the programme cycle.

• Ensure exchange of information, experience, identify new strategies and courses of action to accelerate/improve delivery of services and achieve Nutrition programme requirements and objectives.
Conduct field visits to monitor programmes and conduct periodic programme reviews with Government counterparts and other partners.

• Collaborate with Programme Communication Officer to ensure development of effective communication materials and strategies to support advocacy and social mobilization efforts.

• Coordinate with Regional Advisers and HQ Officers. Collaborate with other Project or Programme Officers to ensure the integration of the project/sectoral programme with other sectors.

• Collaborate with the Operations Section and Government authorities to establish and maintain sound internal controls supportive of Nutrition project or sectoral planning and implementation, to coordinate financial and supply management requirements as well as to ensure accountability.

• Interact with Government and other partners, NGOs, UN and bilateral agencies in the different stages of Nutrition programme/project implementation to follow up on agreements and recommendations. Provide technical support and guidance on appropriate technical, financial and institutional capacity building measures to achieve Nutrition programme goals.

Competencies:

Has highest-level communication skills, including engaging and informative formal public speaking.

Consistently achieves high-level results, managing and delivering projects on-time and on-budget.

Creates and encourages a climate of team-working and collaboration in a multi-cultural environment.

Has high-level leadership and supervisory skills; provides others with a clear direction; motivates and empowers others; recruits staff of a high caliber; provides staff with development opportunities and coaching.

Sets, develops and revises organizational strategy and develops clear visions of the organization’s future potential.

Analyzes and integrates diverse and complex quantitative and qualitative data from a wide range of sources.

Quickly builds rapport with individuals and groups. Actively nurtures good relationships with people across all organizational levels and boundaries, and with government leaders and stakeholders.

Identifies urgent and potentially risky decisions and acts on them promptly; initiates and generates organization-wide activities.

Negotiates effectively by exploring a range of possibilities.

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 organisation. If you want a challenging career while improving the lives of children around the world UNICEF, the leading children’s rights organization, would like to hear from you.

Visit us at www.unicef.org/about/employ to register in our new e-Recruitment system and apply to this and other vacancies, quoting E-VN-2011-001255. Applications must be received by 25 August 2011. Please note that only candidates who are under serious consideration will be contacted.

In the selection of its staff, 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.