Consultant for Nutrition and Child Development

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established in 1946, operates in over 190 countries and territories with a mission to save children's lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential. The organization is committed to promoting the rights of every child and offers diverse opportunities for professional and personal development. UNICEF is known for its passionate culture and commitment to making a difference in the lives of children and communities worldwide. The organization employs thousands of staff members globally, working collaboratively to address various issues affecting children, including health, education, and nutrition.

Job Overview:
The Consultant for Nutrition and Child Development will play a crucial role in addressing the growing double burden of malnutrition in Lebanon, which includes both undernutrition and rising rates of childhood overweight and obesity. This position involves conducting a comprehensive landscape analysis to understand the scale, causes, and policy environment surrounding childhood obesity in Lebanon. The consultant will be expected to deliver a series of outputs, including a final Lebanon-specific protocol and guide, draft reports on the situation and policy landscape, and a comprehensive report with clear policy recommendations. The consultant will work closely with various stakeholders, including government ministries, academia, and the private sector, to gather insights and validate findings through workshops and interviews. This role requires a strong background in public health and nutrition research, particularly in childhood obesity, and the ability to translate complex findings into actionable recommendations.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Familiarization and preparation of the database, including an inception meeting to discuss the assignment scope and objectives.
• Review and familiarize with UNICEF’s Global Programming Guidance on the Prevention of Overweight and Obesity in Children and Adolescents.
• Produce a Lebanon-specific protocol and guide, including an adapted database for relevant information collection.
• Complete stages 1-3 of the landscape analysis, including drafting a report on the childhood overweight and obesity situation, key risk factors, and existing policies in Lebanon.
• Conduct key informant interviews to identify gaps in the policy environment and develop a draft report outlining the findings.
• Organize and facilitate a stakeholder validation workshop to build consensus on priority policy actions.
• Triangulate findings from various sources to produce a comprehensive report with policy recommendations and additional visibility outputs such as advocacy papers or policy briefs.

Required Qualifications:

• A post-graduate university degree in Nutrition and/or Public Health; a PhD in a related discipline is an asset.
• Minimum of 7 years of demonstrated experience leading complex public health or nutrition research projects at national or regional levels.
• Proven expertise in conducting landscape analysis, situation assessments, or country-level nutrition studies, with familiarity with UNICEF frameworks.
• Solid background in childhood overweight and obesity research, including risk factor analysis and program evaluations.
• Experience working with multi-sectoral stakeholders and conducting validation workshops or stakeholder consultations.
• Prior collaboration with UNICEF, UN agencies, or international organizations is a strong asset.
• Familiarity with the Lebanese health and nutrition landscape is required.
• Proficient in designing, managing, and implementing qualitative research, including survey tools and interviews.
• Strong writing, synthesis, and presentation skills, with experience drafting technical reports and policy briefs. 1
• Ability to translate complex findings into clear, evidence-based recommendations aligned with UNICEF’s programming guidance.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a post-graduate university degree in Nutrition and/or Public Health. A PhD in a related discipline is considered an asset, indicating a higher level of expertise and research capability in the field.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 7 years of demonstrated experience in leading complex public health or nutrition research projects. This experience should be at national or regional levels, showcasing the candidate's ability to manage significant projects and collaborate with various stakeholders effectively.

Languages:
Fluency in oral and written Arabic and English is required for this position. Proficiency in these languages is essential for effective communication with stakeholders and for drafting reports and policy recommendations. Additional language skills may be considered an asset but are not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
The position is a consultancy role, and individuals engaged under this contract will not be considered staff members under the UN regulations. The selected candidate will be responsible for their tax liabilities and must ensure that their visa and health insurance are valid for the contract duration. Candidates must also confirm their fully vaccinated status against COVID-19, although this requirement does not apply to those working remotely. UNICEF emphasizes diversity and inclusion, encouraging applications from all backgrounds, including persons with disabilities. The organization offers flexible working arrangements and various benefits to support employee well-being.