By continuing to browse this site, you agree to our use of cookies. Read our privacy policy

Health & Nutrition Officer, (NO-1), Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico, #131465, [Temp Appointment]

Tijuana | Baja | Sonora | California

  • Organization: UNICEF - United Nations Children’s Fund
  • Location: Tijuana | Baja | Sonora | California
  • Grade: Junior level - NO-A, National Professional Officer - Locally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Public Health and Health Service
    • Nutrition
  • Closing Date: 2025-01-06

Join us as the next Health and Nutrition Officer for UNICEF Mexico's Field Office in Tijuana! Are you passionate about making a difference in health and nutrition in Baja California and Sonora? As our Health & Nutrition Officer, you will lead and supervise the health and nutrition program activities in the Northern Border region of Mexico, specifically in Baja California and Sonora. Your role will be crucial in supporting the transition from direct service delivery to system-strengthening actions within the context of the human mobility response. If you would like to make a difference, apply today!

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, health

Mexico is a country of origin, transit, destination and return of migrant children and adolescents, which represents great challenges for guaranteeing the rights of children and adolescents. In this context, Baja California, as a border state, is a space of transit, destination and point of return of migrant children and adolescents and their families, mainly from countries such as El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras. It is also a receiving city for the migratory flow of people from Haiti, Cuba and some countries of the African continent. Gradually, it has also increased the presence of displaced Mexican population, who have been forced to leave their communities fleeing organized crime, family violence and extreme poverty, mainly made up of children and families who have been direct and indirect victims of violence. 

In response to the above, UNICEF's field office in Baja California has promoted close collaboration with government institutions, civil society, the private sector and other United Nations agencies, through which it has been possible to provide services to children, adolescents and their families, especially the most vulnerable. These services have contributed to provide comprehensive protection, physical and emotional health support, promoting alternative care models, access to inclusive and quality education, as well as basic health services and healthy nutritional environments. The objective is to promote the fulfillment of all children's rights at the local level.

Under the direct supervision of the Chief Field Office (NO-3) of Tijuana Field Office, and technical supervision of the Chief of Nutrition (P-4), the Health and Nutrition Officer (NO-1) is expected to provide professional technical assistance and support for programme/project design, planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and administration of programme/project activities, including data analysis, progress reporting, knowledge networking and capacity building, in support of achievement of planned objectives of the work plan, aligned with Health & Nutrition programme goals and strategy in Baja California, one of the key locations where UNICEF Mexico operates.   

For more information related to the work of our office in Mexico, please visit our website: UNICEF Mexico, the video of our amazing results in 2023: A good six-year term for children: Un buen sexenio para la niñez or read our Annual Report 2023: Informe Anual 2023 UNICEF México   

How can you make a difference? 

The Health and Nutrition Officer (NO-1) will be working under the direct supervision of the Chief Field Office (NO-3) of Tijuana, and technical supervision of the Chief of Nutrition (P-4) in Mexico City. They will be accountable for the following responsibilities:

  1. Accurate information, data analysis, and documentation are timely made available to contribute to situation analysis, sectoral input and reporting.
  2. Technical assistance are provided in the implementation of integrated Health & Nutrition approaches through participation and collaboration with internal and external partners.
  3. Work plan and objectives are effectively implemented and planned results are timely delivered through technical support and coordination.
  4. Project efficiency and effectiveness are enhanced through effective implementation follow-up.
  5. Project implementation progress is monitored for adjustment and improvement of program delivery and sustainability.
  6. Transparency is ensured for supply and non-supply assistance and disbursement of programme funds for Health & Nutrition.
  7. Effective partnership and working relationships are maintained for advocacy, technical coordination, information sharing and knowledge networking.
  8. Up-to-date programme information is kept available and reports prepared to support the Health & Nutrition programme by the effective implementation of integrated monitoring system.
  9. Emergency preparedness is maintained, and in emergencies, emergency responses are effectively provided.
  10. Other assigned duties and responsibilities are effectively accomplished.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Terms of Reference here:Download File ToRs_Health and Nutrition Officer (NO-1) - Tijuana.pdf

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Minimum requirements:

  • Education: University degree (Bachelor's Degree), preferably in, Public Health and Nutrition, Medicine, Health and/or Nutrition Sciences, Child Development, Water Sanitation, Anthropology, Public Administration, Social Policy, Social Development, Community Development, or other relevant discipline.
  • Work Experience: A minimum of one (1) year of professional work experience in coordination, planning, programming, implementation, monitoring and/or evaluation of nutrition and/or health programmes.
  • Language Requirements:
    • Fluent level of Spanish.
    • Intermediate level of English.

Desirables:

  • Field work experience in the northern border of Mexico.
  • Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergencies
  • Experience working with government institutions.
  • Background/familiarity with the UN System.
  • Fluency in English.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

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 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.

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’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. Specially, for this position, eligible and suitable people with disabilities 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.

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.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.

Please note that this is a temporary position expected to last for 364 days. 

THIS IS A NATIONAL POSITION. PLEASE NOTE THAT only CANDIDATES WITH A MEXICAN NATIONALITY WILL BE CONSIDERED. 

We do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization's page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.
Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify.
Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.