Nutrition Officer

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, providing diverse opportunities for professional and personal development for its staff, and fostering a culture of belonging and growth. UNICEF employs thousands of individuals worldwide, working collaboratively to address the needs of children and communities, and offers an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Job Overview:
The Nutrition Officer plays a crucial role in supporting the preparation, planning, and implementation of nutrition programs/projects aimed at improving the nutritional status of mothers, infants, and children in Venezuela. This position is integral to UNICEF's mission, as it directly contributes to national development efforts and enhances the organization's credibility in providing essential services. The officer will conduct situation analyses, develop program goals and strategies, and provide technical and operational support throughout the programming process. The role requires collaboration with various stakeholders to ensure effective program management and delivery of results, as well as participation in monitoring and evaluation exercises to assess program effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support program development and planning by conducting situation analyses, researching development trends, and contributing to the establishment of program goals and strategies.
• Manage and monitor program implementation, collaborating with colleagues and partners to address operational issues and ensure compliance with organizational standards.
• Provide technical and operational support to government counterparts and partners, facilitating the application of UNICEF policies and best practices.
• Build and sustain partnerships with stakeholders, drafting communication materials for advocacy and resource mobilization.
• Identify and share lessons learned to enhance knowledge management and capacity building initiatives.
• Conduct regular field visits to assess program progress and provide technical support, addressing bottlenecks and critical issues as they arise.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a university degree in nutrition, public health, nutritional epidemiology, global/international health and nutrition, health sciences, or a related field. A minimum of two years of professional experience in nutrition or public health in a developing country is required, with additional experience in UN agencies considered an asset. Candidates should demonstrate a strong understanding of nutrition program development and management.

Educational Background:
A university degree in nutrition, public health, nutritional epidemiology, global/international health and nutrition, health sciences, or a related health-related science field is required for this position. The educational background should be from an accredited institution recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED).

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of two years of professional experience in nutrition, maternal and child health, or public health in a developing country. Experience in nutrition program/project development within a UN system agency is advantageous. Additional years of relevant experience will be considered an asset.

Languages:
Fluency in Spanish is mandatory, with proficiency in English required and fluency desirable. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian) or a local language is considered an asset.

Additional Notes:
This position is applicable for national personnel only. UNICEF promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, or background. The organization offers a wide range of benefits, including paid parental leave and reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy for misconduct and is committed to safeguarding the rights of children. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous background checks and must meet medical clearance and inoculation requirements.