Nutrition Specialist

Post Title : Nutrition Specialist
Type of Contract : Temporary Assignment (TA) Post Level : P - 3 Duty Station : Bangui- Central African Republic Duration : 364 days Start Date : As soon as possible

1. BACKGROUND The nutrition status of Central African Republic under 5 children remains critical in a context of recurrent armed conflicts with 63 per cent of the population living under the poverty line, limited access to health services and clean water (only 59 per cent have access), and to food (30% are food insecure). The negative impact on child development and survival are considerable.

According to the acute food insecurity analysis provided by the Famine Early Warning Systems Network, an estimated 484,000 people are vulnerable to food insecurity country-wide and 57,500 children under 5 are at risk of moderate or severe malnutrition. Chronic malnutrition in CAR remains a major problem with a prevalence of 39.9 %. The global acute malnutrition estimated at 7.8% is highly linked to child morbidity and mortality exposing around 23,461 children to severe acute malnutrition. The security situation endangers seriously the situation and exposes many children to the worsening of their nutrition status. The underlying factors include limited access to health and nutrition services, poor feeding practices, limited aces to clean water and sanitation facilities, high incidence of infectious diseases and food insecurity. This situation is also exacerbated by the high prevalence of HIV among women of child bearing age. More than 10 % of SAM children admitted in the Bangui Pediatric Hospital Inpatient Therapeutic Programme are HIV positive and need integrated care.

1. PURPOSE OF THE JOB

UNICEF is looking for a Consultant accountable for formulation, design, planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluation of community based nutrition project(s)/programmes to ensure overall efficiency and effectiveness of the project management, delivery and accomplishment of project goals and objectives. Accountable for ensuring that all aspects of the community based Nutrition project/programme promote gender equality, and for collaborating to mainstream key features across all related sectors of the country programme. The community based nutrition programmes includes: Community based management of acute malnutrition, promotion of Essential nutrition action and Infant as well as Infant and Young child Feeding practices, micronutrient supplementation including sprinkles, positive deviance approach in nutrition

1. KEY END-RESULTS In collaboration with the Nutrition Specialist Head of Nutrition Unit, under the coordination of the Chief of Child Survival and Development programme, the nutrition Specialist will achieve the above results: • Timely sectoral analysis, input, support and collaboration to the Situation Analysis and its periodic update made for effective community based nutrition project planning, development and management. • Knowledge management effectively promoted through drafting/finalizing key community based nutrition programmes documents and reports, sharing good practice, lessons learned, and ensuring knowledge/information exchange. • Quality of rights-based, gender-sensitive Community based Nutrition projects/programmes effectively promoted, and coherence, synergy and value added to project management process through results-based management. • Community based nutrition programme work plan and activities formulated, implemented and monitored, ensuring alignment with the defined project strategies and approaches, with special attention to gender/sex disaggregated data or relevant indicators. • Community based nutrition delivery, evaluation and reporting carried out efficiently, rigorously and transparently in compliance with the established guidelines and procedures. • UNICEF’s global goals effectively promoted through advocacy and policy dialogue in the Community based Nutrition sector. • Proper and timely UNICEF and Government accountability ensured regarding supply and non-supply assistance as well as disbursement of programme funds for the Community based nutrition programmes. • Effective communication and networking achieved through partnership and collaboration, ensuring that gender-specific feature and requite issues are highlighted.
2. EXPECTED OUTPUTS

• The CMAM protocol is revised • Implementation, training and monitoring tools of the CMAM protocols are available • CMAM approach is implemented at scale in 10 provinces currently involved and at least in 4 new provinces and activities are monitored • Technical capacities in managing CMAM programme at facility and community levels are strengthened • Tools and guidelines for implementing Essential nutrition action and Infant as well as Infant and Young child Feeding practices, micronutrient supplementation including sprinkles, positive deviance approach in nutrition are developed • Nutrition data are collected, analyzed and a monthly report is produced • No stock out of nutrition supplies observed at peripheral level in the involved provinces

1. MAJOR DUTIES, RESONSIBILITIES & TASKS
   In order to achieve the above , the consultant will be responsible for the following activities in under the supervision of the Nutritiion Specilist and the coordination of the Chief of Child Survival and Development programme: • Collect and analyze nutrition and food security data for situation analysis, projects planning, management, and monitoring and evaluation purposes. Analyze programme implementation reports and evaluate against established programme recommendations and plans of action. Prepare tables, graphs and other statistical data. Report outcome of analysis and propose corrective measures. • Undertake visits to UNICEF project sites, assess local conditions and resources and monitoring UNICEF inputs. Communicate with local counterpart authorities on community based nutrition programmes feasibility and effectiveness including monitoring the flow of supply and non-supply assistance. • Undertake follow-up actions on community based nutrition programmes implementation activities and prepare relevant reports. Draft changes in programme work plans as required. • Attend technical cooperation meetings, prepare notes and undertake follow-up actions related to community based nutrition programme implementation and monitoring • Identify training needs on community based nutrition programmes, select and compile training and orientation materials and participate in organization of trainings. • Contribute in the development of implementation community based nutrition programmes tools including the national protocol of nutrition Community-based Management of acute malnutrition • Develop training module and materials on community based nutrition programmes and establish a training programme based in identification of training needs and participate in their organization an implementation. • Develop and harmonized monitoring and evaluation tools that are linked to the national health and information system. • Monitor availability of nutrition supplies at national and operational level en ensure they are properly used.
2. DURATION The assignment will be 364 days
3. WORKING CONDITIONS The staff will be based in Bangui with travels to prefectures and districts. He/she will be provided with a laptop and access to the IT network.
4. QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES Education • 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, , or other relevant discipline(s). • Training in gender and in nutrition programmes that promote gender equality an asset.

Work Experience
• Five years of relevant professional work experience. • Developing country work experience and field work experience • Background/familiarity with Emergency. • Experience in monitoring gender inequalities and in programming interventions that reduce these inequalities an asset.

Language Proficiency • Fluency in French and English
• Skills on the local working language of the duty station is an asset

Competency Profile • Advanced University degree is required, additional degree/training in nutrition and food security related areas is an asset. • Current knowledge of the latest developments and technology in nutrition including the Scaling Up Nutrition framework for action; • 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.

How to apply:

Interested and qualified candidates should send their applications with updated UN Personal History Form (P.11), updated CV, copies of academic certificates to the email address below. UN staff are requested to provide at least two Performance Evaluation Reports (PERs). Please quote the vacancy number and post title in the subject line of your application. Applications submitted without a duly completed and signed Personal History Form (P11) will not be considered. Email to: banguihr@unicef.org QUALIFIED FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE ESPECIALLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY