Health and Nutrition Officer

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favouritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education, hygiene/sanitation and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfil their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

UNICEF is a leading humanitarian and development agency working globally for the rights of every child. Child rights begin with safe shelter, nutrition, protection from disaster and conflict and traverse the life cycle: pre-natal care for healthy births, clean water and sanitation, health care and education. UNICEF has spent nearly 70 years working to improve the lives of children and their families. Working with and for children through adolescence and into adulthood requires a global presence whose goal is to produce results and monitor their effects. UNICEF also lobbies and partners with leaders, thinkers, and policy makers to help all children realize their rights—especially the most disadvantaged.

This UNV assignment is part of UNICEF’s programme in Mozambique.

Under the delegated authority and supervision of the Health and Nutrition Specialist in the Beira Field Office and the Chief of Child Health and Nutrition based in Maputo, or their designated representatives, the UNV Health and Nutrition Officer will work to provide professional technical assistance and support for programme/project design, planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and administration of programme/project activities, including data collection and analysis, progress reporting, knowledge networking and capacity building, in support of the achievement of planned objectives of the work plan, aligned with Health & Nutrition programme goals and strategy
Summary of key functions/accountabilities:
1. Programme development and planning
• Collect, analyze, verify and synthesize information to facilitate programme development, design and preparation.
• Assist in the development of annual Health and Nutrition-related outcome and output results, as well as related strategies, through an analysis of Health and Nutrition sector needs and priorities in Sofala Province.
• Provide technical, administrative support throughout all stages of the programming processes by applying a variety of technical programme transactions, preparing materials/documentations, complying with organizational processes and management systems, to support progress towards the Health and Nutrition-related outcome and/or output results in the Sofala Province related components of the Country Programme.
• Prepare technical reports and inputs for programme preparation and documentation, ensuring accuracy, timeliness and relevance of information, and provide input into Field Office reports as needed.
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2. Programme management, implementation, monitoring and delivery of results
 Work collaboratively with colleagues and partners to collect/analyze/ share information on implementation issues, suggest solutions on routine programme implementation and alert appropriate officials and stakeholders for higher-level interventions and/or decision. Keep record of reports and assessments for easy reference and/or to capture and institutionalize lessons learned.
 Provide technical assistance in the integration of the Health & Nutrition programme with other sectors in collaboration with other UNICEF sectors, particularly. Early Childhood Development (ECD), Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) and Social and Behavior Change (SBC).
 Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual sectoral reviews with government and other counterparts and prepare minutes/reports on results for follow up action by higher management and other stakeholders.
 Monitor and report on the use of sectoral programme resources (financial, administrative, supplies and other assets), verify compliance with approved allocations, organizational rules, regulations/procedures and donor commitments, standards of accountability and integrity. Report on issues identified to enable timely resolution by management/stakeholders. Follow up on unresolved issues to ensure resolution.
 Prepare inputs for programme and donor reporting as appropriate.
3. Technical and operational support for programme implementation
• Undertake field visits and surveys and collect and share reports with partners/stakeholders. Report critical issues, bottlenecks and potential problems to supervisor, for timely action.
• Provide technical and operational support to government counterparts and NGO partners, UN partners on the application and understanding of UNICEF policies, strategies, processes and best practices in Health and Nutrition in support to programme implementation.
4. Project efficiency and effectiveness are enhanced through effective implementation follow-up.
• Provide timely implementation follow-up, including monitoring UNICEF inputs, local conditions and resources, flow of supply and non-supply assistance, and project status to build on project efficiency and effectiveness.
• Assist in identification and selection of Health & Nutrition supplies and equipment. Follows up on delivery of cash assistance and liquidation of advances and proper planning, delivery and use of supply component of the project.
• Records information on utilization of resources and distribution of supplies

5. Humanitarian Health and Nutrition preparedness and response
• Study and fully understand UNICEF’s procedures for emergency preparedness and response.
• Draft inputs for the preparation of Health and Nutrition emergency preparedness, including the drafting of required supplies and services, long-term agreements, partnership agreements, and coordination mechanisms.
• Take up support roles in an emergency response and early recovery, as and when the need arises.
• Support and participate the co-coordenation of the Health Cluster and coordenation of the Nutrition Cluster as needed.
6. Networking and partnership building
• In coordination with the Health & Nutrition Specialist, build and sustain close working partnerships with government counterparts and national stakeholders through active sharing of information and knowledge to facilitate programme implementation and build capacity of stakeholders to achieve Health and Nutrition output results.
• Assist in drafting communication and information materials for Health and Nutrition programme advocacy promote awareness and support fund raising for Health and Nutrition.
• Participate in inter-agency meetings/events on Health and Nutrition programming to collaborate with UN-agency partners as required.

7. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building
• Assist in the development, implementation, monitoring and documentation of Health and Nutrition action research and innovation (technical or systems).
• Assist in delivering learning opportunities for UNICEF Health and Nutrition staff, to ensure our sector capacity remains up to date with latest developments and dissemination of innovative approaches.
• Participate as a resource person in capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of stakeholders.