Nutrition Specialist (Sub-National Cluster Coordinator), NO-3, Temporary Position, 6 months, West, El Geneina, Sudan, #00137822

For every child, the right to an Advocate

Under the overall direction and guidance of the Nutrition Cluster Coordinator (P4), the dedicated Nutrition Specialist Cluster Coordinator (sub-national) will support in strengthening field level cluster coordination in the five Darfur States. He/she will provide support to the State level sub national coordinators in providing leadership and representation of the cluster at sub national levels. He/she will facilitate the processes that will ensure a well-coordinated, strategic, adequate, coherent, and effective response by participants in the sub-national cluster and working groups that are accountable to those who are affected by the emergency. In the effort to provide an efficient and effective response that meets national and global quality standards, the dedicated sub national cluster coordinator will be responsible for strengthening capacity on coordination, ensuring inter-sectoral collaboration and integration of humanitarian actions in the Darfur States in consultation with national level coordination team.

Summary of Key Functions and Accountabilities

The post holder is responsible for overseeing, supporting and building capacity for predictable, timely and strategic leadership and representation for the Cluster/ Sector/ Working Group at subnational level to ensure a timely and effective sub-national Cluster/ Sector/ Working Group response. The post holder is responsible for leading a range of stakeholders, beyond their immediate direct reports, to work collectively towards the realization of a shared goal based on evidence.

Coordination, representation and leadership

• Ensure and maintain a coordination mechanism that facilitates the effective achievement of the cluster functions (as outlined by the IASC Reference Module) and the requirements of the HPC (HNRP and CCPM) building on pre-existing coordination structures where appropriate and further the development of current or future national and subnational capacities,
• Coordinate with the national Cluster/ Sector/ Working Group, ensuring alignment of work and priorities, effective communication, reporting and engagement between the levels,
• Support and guide the sub-national Cluster/ Sector/ Working Group coordination team
• Support appropriate coordination and build partnerships with all relevant sector stakeholders at sub-national level including government counterparts and national authorities, local, national and international organizations, other AoRs/ Clusters/Sectors/ Working Groups and affected populations as appropriate,
• Build complementarity of partner actions within the sub-national Cluster/ Sector/ Working Group, pro-actively negotiating with partners to avoid and resolve duplication and gaps,
• Coordinate, collaborate and represent the sub-national Cluster/ Sector/ Working Group with stakeholders across all sectors, including through Inter-Cluster coordination fora, developing cross-sectoral relationships as appropriate.
• Attend State level sub national cluster meetings as well as national meetings by presenting best practices, challenges and actions that need to be taken improve and strengthen coordination in the field.

Needs assessment and analysis

• Contribute to the planning and implementation of nutrition cluster specific needs assessment and analysis as well as contributing to multi-sectoral needs assessments and joint analysis of need, at sub-national levels,
• Analyze needs assessment data and information working collaboratively with State level sub-national Cluster/ Sector/ Working Group partners to create analytical products guided by evidence-based information.

Strategic response planning

• Contribute to national level strategic planning, response prioritization and the development of the sectoral response plan in the Darfur states that is based on the HNRP and aligned with national priorities, policies and plans,
• Ensure all response delivery modalities (in-kind, cash, voucher and services) are given equal consideration in the strategic response planning and establish and implement systematic measures for supporting their consideration and use as appropriate.
• Provide technical support to sub-national Cluster/ Sector/ Working Group coordinators to ensure activities are aligned with national priorities and communities' needs,
• Ensure that sub-national Cluster/ Sector/ Working Group response planning is regularly updated according to evolving needs and that it establishes indicators by which performance of the sub-national Cluster/ Sector/ Working Group can be measured,
• Engage with OCHA and other AoRs/ Clusters/ Sectors/ Working Groups to contribute to the development and provision of inputs into the national level HNRP, representing the concerns of the Cluster/ Sector/ Working Group at sub-national level.

Resource mobilization and advocacy

• Support partners' resource mobilization to promote the effective functioning of the subnational Cluster/ Sector/ Working Group and its response,
• Monitor, analyze and communicate information about the sub-national Cluster/ Sector/ Working Group’s financial situation and resource mobilization and identify appropriate actions to address gaps or constraints,
• Advocate for improved sectoral outcomes, network with advocacy allies and influence stakeholders' decision-making.

Implementation and monitoring

• Monitor, evaluate and report on the coverage, equity, quality and progress of the response against the Cluster/ Sector/ Working Group strategy, priorities and agreed results at sub-national level,
• Contribute to gap and coverage analysis to identify spatial and temporal gaps, overlaps and coverage of the Cluster/ Sector/ Working Group humanitarian response,
• Monitor the sub-national Cluster/ Sector/ Working Group’s adherence to IASC cluster approach principles, relevant humanitarian and sectoral agreements, standards, initiatives and guidelines and encourage partners to make improvements.

Operational peer review and evaluation

• Participate in the annual cluster coordination performance monitoring (CCPM) exercise and annual review and contribute to other sectoral and humanitarian evaluations as appropriate.
• Conduct Darfur States CCPM to get feedback from operational partners in terms of strengths and areas that need improvement.

Accountability to affected populations

• Be accountable to the affected population by supporting existing inclusive and consultative feedback mechanisms and encouraging the involvement of affected population in response,
• Ensure the inclusion of cross cutting issues (age, child protection, disability, gender, gender, gender, gender, gender, gender-based violence (GBV) mitigation and responses in sub-national Cluster/ Sector/ Working Group activities throughout the HPC,
• Encourage partners to demonstrate a positive and systematic approach to inclusion and diversity,
• Adhere to child safeguarding and PSEA policies including procedures for challenging and reporting incidents and ensure other members of the coordination team comply.

Strengthen national and local capacity

• Encourage participation of local and national actors in sub-national Cluster/ Sector/ Working Group activities and strategic decision-making, removing barriers to access,
• Contribute to the development of a capacity assessment and capacity strengthening strategy for Cluster/ Sector/ Working Group members and oversee implementation and harmonization of initiatives,
• Lead early warning, contingency planning, and emergency preparedness efforts for the Darfur States sub-national Cluster/ Sector/ Working Group, ensuring adequate cluster participation in Inter-Cluster early warning, contingency planning and emergency preparedness activities.

Key outputs/deliverables

• Detailed work plan guided by the TOR for 6 months period
• Strategic areas that need improvement and regular monitoring
• Monthly update on the implementation of the work plan
• End of assignment report, flagging strengthens, challenges and areas that need improvement

Minimum requirements

Desirables

• Language: Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.
• Relevant experience in health/ nutrition programme/ project development and management in a UN system agency or organization is considered an asset.
• Direct, practical experience in the design, implementation and/ or coordination of nutrition interventions through community-based platforms, and effective intersectoral collaboration is strongly desired.
• Prior experience in partnership development and management, including bilateral donors, foundations and civil society is an asset.
• Experience in effective management of human resources/ teams in high stress/ risk environments is an advantage.
• Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

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.

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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 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.

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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.

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