Nutrition Specialist (Value Chain), Antananarivo, Madagascar

Nutrition Specialist (Value Chain), Antananarivo, Madagascar

UNICEF - United Nations Children's Fund Nutrition Specialist (Value Chain) for its Madagascar office in Antananarivo. Level NO-3 position, Fixed Term Appointment, position number # .

Background

UNICEF works in more than 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights and help them realize their potential, from early childhood through adolescence. At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate and proud of what we do for as long as necessary. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job - it's a vocation. UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff various professional and personal development opportunities that help them strengthen their sense of purpose while serving children and communities around the world. We welcome anyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, accompanied by an attractive set of compensation and benefits.

Duties

The Nutrition Specialist Supports the development and preparation of the nutrition programme related to UNICEF’s commitment to improving children’s diets through nutrition-sensitive value chains and food system development. He is responsible for the management, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting of programme progress under the country programme.

The Nutrition Specialist provides technical advice and management support throughout programming processes to facilitate the administration and achievement of concrete and sustainable results on children’s diets (output 3 under the UNICEF Country Programme Nutrition Outcome) 2024-2027). The Nutrition Specialist (NoC level) will focus specifically, but not exclusively, on strategic thinking, analysis and innovation at the national and subnational levels related to solutions for improving children’s diets through value chains and systemic food approaches. The Nutrition Specialist will also focus on nutrition policy and governance; he/she will coordinate UNICEF’s work across systems with a particular focus on UNICEF support to the agricultural sector and food systems. This is done in accordance with UNICEF’s plans, allocation, results-based management (RBM) approaches and methodologies, as well as strategic plans, performance standards and accountability framework.

Under the supervision of Nutrition SpecialistYou will contribute to the design, implementation, monitoring and continuous improvement of UNICEF’s nutrition programme, ensuring evidence-based, equitable and high-impact interventions reach the most vulnerable children, adolescents and women. By working closely with government counterparts, development partners, civil society and communities, you will help strengthen national systems and achieve lasting results in development and humanitarian contexts.

In this role, you will contribute to:

• Programme development and planning: supporting situational analysis, evidence generation, strategic planning and the design of nutrition programmes aligned with UNICEF national priorities and strategic objectives.

• Program management, monitoring and achieving results: by overseeing program implementation, tracking progress, analyzing performance, managing resources and ensuring timely reporting to achieve measurable outcomes for children and women.

• Technical and operational support to programme implementation: providing technical expertise to government and partners, promoting quality nutrition services in all sectors, supporting emergency preparedness and response, and contributing to policy dialogue and strategic documents of the programme.

• Networking and partnership building: strengthening collaboration with government institutions, UN agencies, donors, civil society and other stakeholders to advance nutritional outcomes, mobilize resources and promote advocacy for children’s rights.

• Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building: promoting innovative approaches, documenting and sharing best practices, building the capacities of partners and contributing to continuous learning and improving programme performance.

Candidate profile

Education / Qualifications

An advanced university degree in one of the following areas is required: nutrition, agriculture, food science, policy and/or management.

Experience

A minimum of five years of professional experience in a developing country in one or more of the following areas is required: nutrition, agriculture, food science/technology, agro-industry. Experience in developing and managing programs related to agriculture and nutrition, food systems, food technology applied to human nutrition. Understanding the positioning of nutrition across systems (social protection, agriculture, health, WASH and education).

Required skills

To be considered for this position, candidates must have experience in nutrition programs, food systems, value chains, results-based management, technical leadership and strategic partnership development.

Languages

Proficiency in French and English is required.

Desired assets

Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language. Experience in the development and management of nutrition programmes/projects within a United Nations agency or organization is an asset. Experience in governance of nutrition and agriculture is an asset. Relevant experience at the national level, especially in development, fragile and humanitarian contexts.

Values and skills UNICEF

UNICEF’s core values of care, respect, integrity, trust, responsibility and sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. The UNICEF competencies required for this position are: (1) Establishes and maintains partnerships; (2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness; (3) Drives to achieve results to have an impact; (4) Innovate and accept the change; (5) Manages ambiguity and complexity; (6) Think and act strategically; (7) Work in collaboration with others; (8) Encourages, directs and manages people.

Commitment and policy

UNICEF promotes and defends the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and has a mandate to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of these children. The UNICEF family is committed to including everyone, regardless of race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socioeconomic origin, minority or any other status. UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic origin, and persons with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process. If you need an accommodation, please submit your request via the accessibility button on the UNICEF Careers page. If you are shortlisted, please

[Click the Apply button below to apply, and Create my CV to build a CV tailored to this offer, professionally]