Emergency Nutrition Consultant

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, emphasizing that this work is not just a job but a calling. UNICEF employs thousands of individuals worldwide, working tirelessly to address the needs of children and families, especially in vulnerable situations. The organization is dedicated to ensuring that children have access to essential services and support, particularly in times of crisis, such as natural disasters and humanitarian emergencies.

Job Overview:
The Emergency Nutrition Consultant position is crucial for supporting UNICEF's efforts in emergency preparedness and response in Nepal. The consultant will play a vital role in coordinating nutrition interventions, ensuring that life-saving nutrition services are effectively implemented during emergencies. This role involves working closely with government agencies, humanitarian partners, and other stakeholders to assess nutritional needs, design emergency nutrition programs, and monitor their implementation. The consultant will also be responsible for building the capacity of local health authorities and ensuring that nutrition interventions are integrated into broader health and emergency response systems. The position requires a proactive approach to identifying challenges and developing solutions to improve nutrition outcomes for vulnerable populations, particularly children and pregnant and lactating women.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including:

• National-level emergency preparedness & planning: Coordinating Nutrition Cluster meetings, providing technical support for emergency nutrition preparedness, and ensuring effective communication among partners.
• Technical Support and Capacity Building: Assisting the Ministry of Health and Population in strengthening emergency response mechanisms and providing guidance for implementing nutrition interventions.
• Needs Assessment: Supporting rapid nutrition assessments to identify malnutrition severity and the impact of emergencies on vulnerable populations.
• Information Management and Monitoring: Collecting and analyzing nutrition indicators, monitoring nutritional status, and preparing situation reports.
• Managing Nutrition Commodities: Assisting in the management of nutrition supplies and ensuring their effective distribution during emergencies.
• Knowledge Management: Documenting best practices and lessons learned from emergency responses.
• Resource Mobilization: Providing technical inputs for funding proposals and engaging with humanitarian partners to mobilize resources.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a minimum of an advanced university degree (Master’s) in fields such as nutrition, public health, or related health sciences. Additionally, a minimum of five years of professional experience in nutrition or public health, particularly in emergency preparedness and response, is required. Candidates should demonstrate strong analytical, planning, and facilitation skills, along with excellent communication and report-writing abilities. Experience in coordinating multi-sectoral partners and familiarity with the UN system is advantageous. The ability to work independently and as part of a team is essential.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree (Master’s) in nutrition, public health, nutritional epidemiology, or a related field. For the provincial level position, a university degree (Bachelor’s) in Public Health, Nutrition, or a related field is required. This educational foundation is critical for understanding the complexities of nutrition interventions and emergency response mechanisms.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of relevant professional experience in nutrition, public health, or related fields, with a focus on emergency preparedness and response. Candidates should have proven experience in coordinating with government and NGOs, as well as a strong understanding of humanitarian coordination mechanisms. For the provincial level role, a minimum of three years of relevant experience is necessary, including at least two years in emergency contexts.

Languages:
Fluency in both Nepali and English is mandatory, with excellent writing and speaking skills in both languages. For the provincial level position, a working knowledge of Nepali is highly desirable, along with proficiency in other local languages relevant to specific provinces. This linguistic capability is essential for effective communication and collaboration with local stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The position is focused on emergency nutrition response and may involve both national and provincial levels of engagement. Candidates are encouraged to indicate their preferred area of technical expertise in their applications. Additionally, applicants should include their proposed professional fees in Nepalese currency. UNICEF promotes a diverse and inclusive workforce and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, including those from under-represented ethnic groups and individuals with disabilities. The organization adheres to strict standards of conduct and has a zero-tolerance policy for discrimination and misconduct.