National Nutrition Consultant to support integrated nutrition programming(open for Eritrean Nationals only)

Objectives

The consultancy aims to:

Background

Malnutrition remains a significant public health challenge in Eritrea, affecting the health, growth, development and well-being of children, adolescents and women. While progress has been made in improving nutrition outcomes, important challenges persist in ensuring access to nutritious diets, promoting healthy dietary practices and strengthening nutrition service delivery systems. The “first 1,000 days” and the adolescence period represent critical windows of opportunity for improving nutrition outcomes, breaking the intergenerational cycle of malnutrition, and supporting optimal growth, health, and educational attainment. UNICEF, in partnership with the Government of Eritrea and other stakeholders, supports the implementation of various integrated nutrition interventions aimed at improving child, adolescent and maternal nutrition, promoting healthy diets and strengthening nutrition systems. These efforts contribute to national priorities for reducing malnutrition and improving nutrition outcomes.

To support the effective implementation, coordination, monitoring and documentation of these programme priorities, UNICEF seeks to engage an Individual National Consultant to provide technical and operational support in the areas of adolescent nutrition, food systems transformation and nutrition supply management.

Purpose of Activity/Assignment

Under the supervision of the Nutrition Specialist, the consultant will provide technical assistance to support the effective implementation, monitoring and documentation of UNICEF-supported nutrition programmes.

The consultancy will contribute to strengthening micronutrient deficiency control interventions, advancing food systems initiatives and improving supply management systems to ensure the timely availability of essential nutrition commodities and effective programme delivery while strengthening evidence generation, stakeholder coordination, and programme accountability.

Scope of Work

Under the supervision of the Nutrition Specialist, the consultant will provide technical and operational support for the implementation, coordination, monitoring, and documentation of adolescent nutrition, micronutrient deficiency control, food system transformation and nutrition supply management activities/interventions. The consultant will work closely with all sections in the UNICEF Country office, government partners, other UN agencies and relevant stakeholders to support achievement of nutrition programme objectives.

The consultant is expected to support the work Nutrition Programme in the following areas and to undertake the following tasks:

• Support the planning and implementation of baseline assessment for the introduction of an integrated adolescent nutrition intervention providing Iron and Folic Acid (IFA) to adolescent girls aged 10-19 years in selected zobas.
• Support the planning and implementation of pilot study for the introduction of Multiple Micronutrient Supplement (MMS) for pregnant women receiving antenatal care in selected zobas.
• Support the development of presentations, briefing notes, communication materials, and knowledge products related to adolescent nutrition.
• Compile, analyse, and synthesize programme data, achievements, challenges, and lessons learned to inform programme improvement and scale-up.

• Document programme achievements, best practices, lessons learned, and implementation challenges on food systems transformation initiatives and healthy diets aimed at improving children’s access to and consumption of nutritious foods.

• Support the development, enhancement, and documentation of nutrition supply monitoring tools, databases, and reporting systems.
• Support monitoring of warehouse inventory management practices and commodity distribution systems.
• Contribute to strengthening supply management processes, documentation, and coordination between programme and supply functions to ensure continuous availability of essential nutrition commodities.

• Monitor progress of planned activities and support the tracking of integrated nutrition programme results and indicators.
• Support the preparation of reports summarizing implementation status, achievements, challenges and recommendations.
• Interface with the PME and SBC sections of the UNICEF-country Office on actions of the Child Survival and Development Section.

The tasks listed above will be translated into a more detailed rolling quarterly workplan for the consultant, which will be reviewed on monthly basis to document progress against the previous month and update the plans for the coming month. The detailed workplan will be developed by the consultant in close consultation with the Nutrition Specialist and key government line ministries. To the extent possible, the consultant’s workplan will be coordinated with other internal UNICEF sections/programmes and UN agencies providing technical support to the key line ministries.

General deliverables

Operational plan for scaling-up adolescent nutrition programme | As per agreed workplan in collaboration with UNICEF and key line Ministries

Operational plan for scaling-up multiple micronutrient supplementation for pregnant women receiving antenatal care in Eritrea | As per agreed workplan in collaboration with UNICEF and key line Ministries

Operational plan for scaling-up interventions on food systems transformation for children in Eritrea | As per agreed workplan in collaboration with UNICEF and key line Ministries

Documentation of programme implementation including achievements, best practices, lessons learned, and implementation challenges on food systems transformation, adolescent nutrition and introduction of MMS. | As per agreed workplan in collaboration with UNICEF and key line Ministries

Plan and guidance note to strengthen nutrition supplies management | As per agreed workplan in collaboration with UNICEF and key line Ministries

Minimum Qualifications required

A university degree (Bachelor) in Nutrition, Public Health, Food Science, Health Sciences, Global Health or a relevant field.

Experience

• At least two years of relevant professional experience in Nutrition, Public Health, programme implementation, monitoring and evaluation, research, data analysis, or related fields.
• Experience supporting development programmes, government institutions, UN agencies, or development partners is desirable.
• Experience in nutrition programming, food systems, nutrition supply management, or adolescent health and nutrition is an asset.
• Knowledge of public health nutrition programmes and interventions aimed at improving nutrition outcomes among children, adolescents and women.
• Basic understanding of nutrition supply management concepts, including commodity monitoring, forecasting, stock management, and reporting systems.
• Knowledge of programme planning, monitoring, documentation, and reporting approaches in public health and nutrition programmes.
• Ability to collect, compile, analyse, and interpret programme data and information.
• Ability to prepare technical reports, presentations, briefing notes, and other programme documentation.
• Strong coordination and stakeholder engagement skills, including the ability to work effectively with government counterparts and partners.
• Strong analytical, organizational and communication skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

Remarks

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.