National Nutrition Programme Consultant Job at UNICEF Nigeria


The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) - For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and
nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you.

UNICEF is recruiting to fill the following positions below:

Job Title:  National Nutrition Programme Consultant 
Job Number: 498127 
Location: Nigeria
Work Type : Consultancy
Job Description
If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you.
For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.

Purpose of the Assignment
To provide technical support in monitoring the implementation of Community-based Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM), Community Infant and Young Child Feeding (c-IYCF) and Micronutrient Deficiency and Control (MNDC) activities at the state, LGA and community levels including the Maternal Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) week and any other nutrition intervention(s) that might be initiated from time to time.

Assignment Tasks

  • The consultant will perform his/her tasks, duties and responsibilities delegated under the direct supervision of UNICEF Nutrition Specialist of respective Field Office.
  • The consultant will work closely with the UNICEF focal point in Field office and with SMOH, State Nutrition Officer in strengthening the capacity of government system in the assigned state of Northern of Nigeria. He/she will support the efforts of state government to promote child survival and development through prevention and treatment of malnutrition, especially severe acute malnutrition (through CMAM), counselling and promotion for adoption of recommended IYCF practices and micronutrient supplementation among children under 5 years of age.
  • The consultant will provide support in ensuring effective coordination, networking and information sharing with the state government and International NGOs such as HKI, MSF, Save the Children, ACF, Clinton Foundation, IRC, IMC, COOPI, Valid International, partners and stakeholders at state, LGA and community levels to help scale up the management of severe acute malnutrition (CMAM intervention), community infant and young child feeding and micronutrient supplementation and home fortification (using MNP) activities.
  • He/she will support SMOH's concerned counterpart and partners in compilation of data/information from all CMAM implementing facilities (OTPs and SC), list of trained community volunteers for active case finding and IYCF as well as facilitate replication of interventions.
  • Identify bottlenecks/barriers in the implementation of nutrition intervention (CMAM, IYCF, MNDC and Advocacy) and systematically workout solutions in collaboration with State Nutrition Officer and Supervisor.
  • The consultant will:
  • Ensure effective operation of systems for community-based management of severe acute malnutrition for children with age of under 5 years,
  • Support to ensure the integration and scale up of c-IYCF implementation with CMAM programme.
  • Liaise with supervisor to develop local capacity for supportive supervision and monitoring of progress for improved management of severe acute malnutrition programs
  • Support the SNO to organize the nutrition monthly meetings through development of the Agenda of the meeting in collaboration with the State Nutrition officer and support from supervisor.
  • Conduct monitoring and supportive supervision in collaboration with SNOs to identify and document the success and challenges of the program,
  • The consultant in cooperation with state logistic officers and SMOH SNO, will assist in planning, develop distribution plans, supply requisitions and ensure timely delivery of nutrition supplies to the PHC and/or CMAM sites.
  • Work with State Nutrition Officer to ensure agreed Joint UNICEF and State work plans are implemented to achieve results
  • Support State Nutrition Officers to prepare and timely submit proposals required by UNICEF.
  • Support in preparing and submitting weekly and monthly reports including CMAM data (admissions, defaulters, cured and deaths as well as stock levels and any potential supply gaps) as well as updates on c-IYCF and MNDC activities,
  • Articulate the monthly work plan in collaboration with UNICEF State focal point of respective FO and submit for approval to the Supervisor in the respective UNICEF Field Office and report the implementation progress
  • Prepare/submit regular statistical and narrative updates/reports including CMAM data as required in line with given time frame (e.g. monthly, quarterly, half-yearly and annual) and as requested.
  • Review correctness and completeness of routine programme data (CMAM, IYCF, MNDC) in collaboration with State Nutrition Officer before its submission to UNICEF Field Office.
  • Follow-up the implementation of State UNICEF supported activities to ensure they are according to the proposed budget, plan and budget.
Expected Deliverables
  • A detailed work plan to submitted, discussed and reviewed with the supervisor at the beginning of each month. ( by 27th of each preceding month)
  • A monthly progress report submitted to the supervisor for review, discussion and payment of consultant monthly fees and feedback,
  • Weekly trip reports and summary of action points from meetings submitted to the supervisor for weekly activities undertaken.
  • A quarterly monitoring and supervision report should be submitted to the supervisor indicating best practices, challenges, proposed solutions and next steps.
  • Nutrition program data including CMAM, IYCF, data submitted not later than 15th of the following month
Qualifications of Successful Candidate
Education
  • University degree in Nutrition or Public Health or Nursing or Biochemistry or related technical areas.
Years of relevant experience
  • at least minimum of 5 years of relevant experience, preferably in management of acute malnutrition/CMAM program, IYCF and basic nutrition programming, track records.
  • Exposure to implement, monitor and supervise SAM (severe acute malnutrition) and c-IYCF programmes.
  • Willingness to work in the field with partners for majority of contract.
  • In-depth understanding of malnutrition and household food security from nutrition/public health point of view.
  • Demonstrated skills with statistics analysis software related to data management.
  • Ability to understand and speak local language will be an advantage.
  • Proven experience in monitoring in general.
  • Proficiency in written and oral English language, good communication and networking skills, as well as familiarity with working in a multi-cultural environment.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should Click Here to Apply


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.

Closing Date 11 Aug 2016 W. Central Africa Standard Time