UNICEF Somalia Nutrition Specialist Job in Bosasso

Ref: UNSOM/2011/047

Title: Nutrition Specialist

Category and Grade Level: National Officer – NOC

Case Number: SOM11035

Type of Contract: Fixed Term – 1 Year

Organization Unit: Nutrition

Duty Station: UNICEF Somalia – (Bosasso)

Date of Issue: 24 August 2011

Closing date of Application: 08 September 2011

If you are qualified Somali National 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 above post of Nutrition Specialist, with UNICEF Somalia, to be based in Bosasso.

If successful, you’ll be part of a dynamic and passionate team in Somalia and Nairobi 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.

The successful candidate will be offered a Fixed Term Appointment for one year. Further extensions will be based on organizational needs, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

Purpose of the Post:

Under general supervision of the Child Survival and Development Specialist, accountable for formulation, design, planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluation of Nutrition project(s) to ensure overall efficiency and effectiveness of the project management, delivery and accomplishment of project goals and objectives.

Major duties and responsibilities:

1. Enhance effective project, sectoral or inter-sectoral planning, development and management by leading, guiding, coordinating and supporting the timely completion of the Situational Analysis and its periodic update through accurate and complete monitoring and analysis, addressing gender inequality and determinants of gender equality; ensure the timely preparation or finalization of sectoral input.
2. Further promote knowledge management by drafting or finalizing sectoral documents and reports such as the Country Programme Recommendation and Plans of Action as well as through orientation and training programmes targeted to Government authorities. Ensure exchange of knowledge, information, experience or lessons learned; provides solid technical recommendations on major programme directions and on introduction of new initiatives in the country.
3. Promote the quality of rights-based Nutrition projects and programmes through participation in the formulation of programme/project goals, strategies and approaches, especially those that increase gender equality. Bring coherence, synergy and added value to sectoral or project management processes using a gender-sensitive, results-based management approach to planning and design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
4. Take primary responsibility for the development of the sectoral work plan and technical decisions as well as for project management, implementation and monitoring of assigned project/sectoral activity, in compliance with the defined project strategies and approaches, with an emphasis on promoting a shared understanding and approach to reducing gender inequalities and achieving gender mainstreaming. Ensure the appropriateness of financial, administrative and supply documentation; verify that Nutrition project expenditures are within allotments and that data is consistent with the project information and database (e.g., FLS, ProMS). Follow up on queries or initiate corrective action on discrepancies.
5. Ensure project, sectoral or inter-sectoral efficiency and delivery through a rigorous and transparent approach to evaluation. Participate in major evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual sector review meetings with government counterparts, ensuring that quantitative and qualitative lessons learned in gender equality in nutrition are included as a standard feature. Ensure the preparation of annual Nutrition sector status reports.
6. Promote the organization goals of UNICEF through advocacy and policy dialogue through active engagement in communication, networking and participation at every opportunity inside and outside UNICEF, leveraging the strength of UNICEF mission, goals and programmes and focusing on the contributions of gender equality in achieving these goals.
7. Coordinate 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. 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, employing qualitative as well as quantitative gender sensitive monitoring methods as useful.

Qualifications, Experience and Attributes

• Advanced university degree in one of the disciplines relevant to the following areas: Public Health & Nutrition, Health Sciences, International Health & Nutrition, Family Health & Nutrition, Nutritional Epidemiology, Health & Nutrition Education, Health & Nutrition Promotion and Disease Prevention, Public Health, Health Emergency Preparedness, or other relevant discipline(s). A first university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• Five years of relevant professional work experience. Field work experience (for NO).
• Background/familiarity with Emergency. Experience in monitoring gender inequalities and in programming interventions that reduce these inequalities an asset
• Organizational, communication, analytical and good drafting skills is a must have.
• Advanced Technical Knowledge of theories, principles and methods in one of the following areas Public Health & Nutrition, International Health & Nutrition, Public Health & Nutrition Policy and Management, Population and Family Health & Nutrition, Public Health Preparedness, Health Emergency Preparedness.
• Common Technical Knowledge Required in Emergency programme policies, goals, strategies and approaches.
• Fluency in English and Somali languages (written and oral) required.

Interested and qualified candidates should send their applications with updated UN Personal History Form (P.11), updated CV, copies of academic certificates to the following email address. UN staff are requested to provide at least two Performance Evaluation Reports (PERs). Please quote the vacancy number in your application.

Somaliahrvacancies@unicef.org

Only short-listed applicants will be contacted

Qualified female candidates are especially encouraged to apply

UNICEF is a non-smoking environment

For latest jobs in Kenya and Kenyan Jobs always visit http://kenyajobtube.blogspot.com/