Nutrition Specialist (Advocacy Strategy Development) NOC (TA) at UNICEF

Job Number: 502081
Work Type: Temporary Appointment

Purpose

• The incumbent of the post under direct supervision and guidance of the Nutrition Manager of UNICEF Nigeria Country Office will support the finalization of an advocacy strategy and implementation plan for a Nutrition Programme agreed between the Federal Government of Nigeria and UNICEF under the 2014 - 2017 Country Programme of Cooperation. Support leveraging government funding on a sustainable and predictable basis for nutrition program implementation.

Key Expected Results/Major Responsibilities

• Review situation reports and analysis including nutritional status of children and women, as elaborated in existing programmes, policy and institutional framework and challenges.
• Undertake analysis to identify policy changes and efforts that would promote enabling environment to address the needs of the target population as well as potential barriers to its full realization.
• Undertake a clear advocacy mapping to identify decision-makers who have the power and influence to change policy and resource mobilization to address the needs.
• Support government resource leveraging and system strengthening through UNICEF nutrition upstream work particularly in Southern Nigeria.
• Identify opposition to the policy change, reasons for their opposition, barriers and bottlenecks for resource allocation for nutrition.
• Assess institutional strengths and weaknesses in advocating for the policy change.
• Conduct a policy scan and fiscal space and allocation for nutrition by different stakeholders.
• Identify others who have a similar interest in addressing the problem, beyond the health sector and also in the private sector.
• Identify advocacy activities and champions that could influence those in power.
• Assess current and future resources that could be accessed to pursue the change.
• Determine how to evaluate progress and success.
• Support resource leveraging for Nutrition at all levels

Qualification and Experience

• An Advanced University Degree in Nutrition, Public Health, Nutritional Epidemiology, Development Studies, Mass Communication, Global/International Health and Nutrition, Health/Nutrition Research, Policy and/or Management, or other health related science field is required.
• A minimum of five years of professional experience in Nutrition, public health, related research or planning and management in relevant areas of maternal, infant and child nutrition, at the international level some of which preferably in a developing country is required.
• Relevant experience in health/nutrition policy/program/project development and management in any UN system agency or organization is an asset.
• Experience of experience high level advocacy for resource mobilization is an advantage.
• Fluency in English and local working language.
• Gender and diversity awareness

Competency Profile
Core Values (Required):

• Commitment
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Integrity

Core Competencies (Required):

• Drive for Result [II]
• Applying Technical Expertise [II]
• Following Instructions and Procedures [II]
• Planning and Organizing [II]
• Leading and Supervising [II]
• Deciding and Initiating Actions [II]

Functional Competencies (Required):

• Working with People [II]
• Communication [II]