How can you make a difference?
Under the overall supervision of UNICEF Kenya Chief of Nutrition, the Nutrition Specialist will be responsible for technical support in the development and implementation of policies, programmes, advocacy and knowledge generation for food systems transformation for children, addressing all forms of malnutrition and covering young children, school age children and adolescents, and mothers.
The Nutrition Specialist provides support to the Chief of Nutrition for the work of the Nutrition Section, in terms of technical assistance, advocacy, oversight on implementation of grants and quality assurance to the food systems aspects of nutrition programs in Kenya, including development of tools and guidance, innovation, evidence generation, analysis and knowledge products, dissemination and thought leadership.
The position contributes to partnerships with stakeholders including UN agencies (e.g. WHO, FAO and WFP), NGOs, donors, academia, technical institutions and others on food systems for children. The Specialist provides authoritative technical guidance and management support throughout country programming processes to facilitate the achievement of concrete and sustainable results in food systems programs/projects according to plans, allocation, results based-management (RBM) approaches and methodology and UNICEF’s Strategic Plans, standards of performance and accountability framework.
The purpose of this temporary appointment is to provide technical and programme support to the implementation and strategic positioning of UNICEF Kenya's Food Systems for Children portfolio, with a specific focus on implementation of First Foods Africa, prevention of overweight and obesity through healthier food environment policies, and the advancement of a coherent climate-nutrition agenda. The position will support the Nutrition Section to translate the FS4C Roadmap and related global and regional guidance into practical country-level plans, policy inputs, partner engagement processes, and evidence products.
Summary of key functions/accountabilities
- Support to programme management, planning and monitoring or FS4C, including FFA Initiative, OWO prevention, and climate-nutrition agendas
- Technical and operational support to programme implementation
- Networking, advocacy and partnership building
- Evidence generation, knowledge management, and capacity building
Minimum Requirements
A Bachelor or equivalent (First Level University Degree) in a relevant area combined with 2 additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
Desirables
- Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is an asset.
- Experience supporting first foods, child food poverty, market systems, private sector-facing engagement, demand creation or multisectoral food systems implementation is highly desirable.
- Experience with food systems for children, healthy diets, food environment policy, overweight and obesity prevention is highly desirable.
- Experience supporting policy dialogue, regulatory processes, technical working groups or multisectoral coordination with government and development partners is highly desirable.
- Experience in climate-responsive nutrition or anticipatory action is highly desirable.
- Experience working with the UN system, government, or development partners in Kenya is an asset.
- Familiarity with Kenya's nutrition and food systems is highly desirable.
- Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts.
For every Child, you demonstrate...
UNICEF competencies required for this post are…
(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 promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.
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.
UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.
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.
UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable candidates with disability are encouraged to apply.
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.
The conditions of a temporary assignment, including relocation entitlements, will depend on the status of the staff member's original appointment and may be limited in accordance with applicable UNICEF policies, procedures, and practices in force.
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.
Visa residence requirements: i.e. UNICEF shall not facilitate the issuance of a visa and working authorization for candidates under consideration for positions at the national officer and general service category.
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.