Health & Nutrition Specialist

United Nations Children's Fund

Ashgabat, Turkmenistan

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programmes, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favouritism. Equity accelerates progress towards the goals of agenda 2030 and realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

NICEF Office in Turkmenistan is looking for a passionate professional, who will support the development and preparation of the Health and Nutrition programmes and is responsible for the development, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation and administration of the Health & Nutrition programme within the country programme.  

Purpose for the job: Under the supervision and guidance of the Deputy Representative, the Specialist will be accountable for effective technical and programme support to facilitate the application and adaptation of UNICEF policies and strategies to achieve strategic priorities and objectives and expansion of UNICEF assisted Health & Nutrition interventions, including the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals agenda.

Summary of key functions and accountabilities:

Within the delegated authority and under the given organizational set-up, the incumbent contributes to achievement of results according to plans, allocation, results based-management approaches and methodology (RBM), as well as UNICEF’s Strategic Plans, standards of performance, and accountability framework.

Areas of major duties include:

  • Health and Nutrition programme development, planning and implementation
  • Health and Nutrition programme component management, monitoring and delivery of results
  • Networking and partnership building on Health and Nutrition
  • Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building.

Key accountabilities and expected results:

  • Timely sectoral analysis, input and support contribute to the Situation Analysis and its periodic update for effective project planning, development and management.
  • Quality technical contributions are made to the development and implementation of Integrated Health & Nutrition strategies and approaches through participation and collaboration with internal and external partnership.
  • Work plan and objectives are strategically established, implementation support is effectively provided, and planned results are timely delivered through application of technical expertise.
  • Project implementation progress is monitored and evaluated for adjustment, acceleration and improvement of program delivery and sustainability.
  • Technical support is provided to government and NGOs at various stages of the programme implementation, monitoring and evaluation, including capacity building of government personnel and beneficiaries.
  • The capacities of Country Office staff are strengthened through effective capacity building support in the development, implementation and management of the Health & Nutrition  programme 
  • UNICEF and Government accountability is ensured for supply and non-supply assistance and disbursement of programme funds for Health & Nutrition.
  • Effective working relationships with internal and external counterparts are maintained for advocacy, technical coordination, information sharing and knowledge networking
  • Relevant and strategic information is kept available to support the Health & Nutrition Programme by the effective implementation of an integrated monitoring system.
  • Required programme/project reports are timely prepared in compliance with the established guidelines and procedures.
  • Emergency preparedness is maintained, and in emergencies, emergency responses with effective coordination are provided.
  • The efficiency and efficacy of support provided by the Specialist to the Health and Nutrition programme preparation, planning and implementation, contributes to the achievement of sustainable results to improve health outcomes and universal access to quality health services. Success in Health and Nutrition programme and initiatives in turn contribute to maintaining and enhancing the credibility and ability of UNICEF to provide programme services for mothers and children that ensure survival and development of all children in the country.

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

Education

  • Advanced university degree in Public Health and Nutrition, Child Development, Water & Sanitation, Public Administration, Social Policy, Social Development, Community Development, or other relevant disciplines.

Work Experience

  • Five years of professional work experience at the national and international levels in planning, programming, implementation monitoring, and evaluation of technical cooperation programmes related to Health and Nutrition. Professional work experience in a managerial position, or a technical expert position in child survival & development, health and nutrition care.
  • Field work experience  
  • Background/familiarity with Emergency.

Language Proficiency

  • Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Russian or Turkmen language is an asset

Source: https://jobs.unicef.org/cw/en-us/job/560285