United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Vacancy, Wednesday 4, November 2015

United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Nigeria is supporting the Government of Nigeria to strengthen prevention of and response all forms of violence against children. In particular, assistance will be provided to strengthen the child protection system, including through modelling the system in four States, in order to demonstrate the impact of a well-functioning child protection system, to develop a common model for operationalizing the Child Rights Act at State level and to develop standardized tools, including regulations, working protocols and training manuals to govern the system.

If you are a passionate and committed professional and want to make a lasting difference for children, the world’s leading children’s rights organization would like to hear from you.

We are recruiting to fill the position of:

NATIONAL NUTRITION (MNDC) CONSULTANT

VN No.: VN-NGR-65-2015

Location: Abuja with frequent travel to Northern state.

Level: NOB

Type of Appointment: Special Service Agreement (SSA) for 6 months

BACKGROUND

Micronutrient deficiencies remain an enduring problem in Nigeria. The prevalence of Vitamin A Deficiency is 30%, which is six times higher than the threshold for public health significance of 5%, Use of adequately iodised salt is less than less than 60% in the North West.

Little has been done to address anaemia in children and women.

Over 70% children suffer from anaemia and Nigeria has the highest burden the world.

Almost 60% pregnant women arc anaemie during pregnancy and this is one of the key contributing factor for the high level of maternal mortality.

The Government has also adopted the World Fit for Children’s (WFC) Goals on micronutrients which are – to achieve sustainable elimination of Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD), control vitamin A deficiency and reduce prevalence of anaemia by one third of 1990 level.

The control of micronutrient deficiencies is one of the key components of the UNICEF countryprogramme and is one of the four Intermediate Results (IRs) under Nutrition Pmgramme (PCR 3/AWP).

UNICEF is providing lead support to the Government to implement the national bi-annual Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) Weeks to deliver vitamin A capsules, deworming and iron supplements.

UNICEF is working with partners to ensure and sustain the Universal Salt lodisation goal of at least 90% of households consuming adequately iodised salt. Furthermore, a policy has been approved on the use of Micronutrient Powder (MNP) Supplementation to address anaemia in young children and the initiation and scale up of this intervention is one of the key priorities for UNICEF.

UNICEF has decided to – up to scale up Zinc/ORS and iron supplementation universally this year in the five States in Northern Nigeria.

Major Tasks to be accomplished:

Support the planning and implementation of Maternal New born and child health week (40%);

Support co-ordination to contribute to the successful implementation of the campaign

Support the organization of the review meeting

Ensure supplies are distributed to states in a timely manner

Support identification and training of smart phone federal monitors

Ensure timely reporting of data from the smart tablet monitoring on a daily basis during the campaign and follow through to ensure corrective action

Work with M&E team to introduce innovations and M&E tools to enhance efficiency and effectiveness of planning process, monitoring and reporting activities

Work with C4D to develop social mobilization strategy for MNCHW and BCC tools

Support the implementation Micronutrient Powder for home fortification in three Emergency

States (Borno, Yobe and Adamawa) in line with the implementation plan and schedule (30%)

Follow up with program roll out as scheduled

Ensure adequate supply of commodities to the states

Work with M&E personnel to ensure regular reporting and collation of the data

Support strengthening of implementation of Zinc LO-ORS program in WINNN states (15%)

Support implementation of iron supplementation in WINNN states (5%)

Prepare advocacy, technical briefs and case studies to micronutrient programming including introduction of new interventions (5%)

QUALIFICATIONS OR SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
University degree in one of the disciplines relevant to the following areas: Public Health & Nutrition International Health & Nutrition, Public Health it Nutrition Policy and Management, Family and Community Health & Nutrition

At least two years progressive professional work experience on community nutrition.

Experience on micronutrient programming

Strong capacity on data management.

Knowledge of Stata of SPSS is an added advantage

Strong ability to multi-task

Results driven

Capable of working in a team

Experience on conducting qualitative and quantitative research added advantage

Effective in communication-both oral and written

TO APPLY

Interested and qualified candidate should submit their application, accompanied by updated CV’s in English and a completed United Nations Personal History Form.

Applications should be sent to: nrecruit@unicef.org While sending their applications, candidates are advised to put the position title on the subject line of their emails.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

DUE DATE: 9 November, 2015