Consultant for Food-Based Dietary Guidelines Development

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established in 1946, is a United Nations agency that works in over 190 countries and territories to protect the rights of children and ensure their well-being. The organization focuses on reaching the most disadvantaged children in some of the world's toughest places, aiming to save lives, defend rights, and help children fulfill their potential. UNICEF Nigeria is one of the largest country offices globally, working in a complex humanitarian and development setting to fulfill and protect children's rights in partnership with various stakeholders, including government, civil society, and families. The organization is committed to building a better world for every child, every day, and never gives up on this mission.

Job Overview:
The consultant will contribute to the development of Food-Based Dietary Guidelines (FBDGs) for Nigeria, which are essential for shaping healthier diets and improving feeding practices. The role involves collaborating with technical partners from the UN, other organizations, and the Nigerian government to ensure that the guidelines are evidence-based and context-specific. The consultant will focus on integrating age- and gender-specific recommendations, particularly for vulnerable groups such as young children and women of reproductive age. The position requires a deep understanding of the food system, nutrition, and public health to effectively influence policies and programs across various sectors, including health, nutrition, agriculture, and education. The consultant will also be responsible for conducting situation analyses, policy reviews, and stakeholder engagement to ensure the guidelines are comprehensive and actionable.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Define the FBDGs mandate by identifying national policies that support sustainability.
• Propose entry points for sustainability in the guidelines.
• Identify stakeholders for the FBDGs development process.
• Contribute to the proposal for the situation analysis and evidence review (SAER).
• Conduct a targeted review of food systems-related policies and programs.
• Analyze secondary data along the food system to inform dietary goals.
• Describe diet factors associated with health and nutrition issues.
• Revise diet goals/targets considering food systems perspectives.
• Review evidence on effective interventions across the food system. 1
• Contribute to the SAER report, ensuring it is useful beyond health and nutrition experts. 1
• Validate the SAER report through expert engagement and workshops.

Required Qualifications:
The consultant must possess excellent knowledge of nutrition, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security, and the health system in Nigeria. They should have experience in nutrition-related surveys and assessments, as well as in analyzing scientific data and writing reports. Strong interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills are essential for establishing and maintaining working relationships with stakeholders. The ability to work independently and systematically is crucial, along with knowledge of Food-Based Dietary Guidelines and experience in developing nutrition and food security guidelines. Familiarity with UN and NGO operations is beneficial, as well as proficiency in Microsoft Office software and data visualization skills.

Educational Background:
An advanced degree in Nutrition, Dietetics, Food Science, Public Health, or a related discipline is required for this position. This educational background is essential to ensure the consultant has the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills to contribute effectively to the development of dietary guidelines.

Experience:
The consultant should have a strong background in nutrition, food security, and health systems, particularly within the Nigerian context. Experience in conducting nutrition-related surveys, analyzing data, and writing scientific reports is mandatory. Familiarity with the development of dietary guidelines and working with UN agencies or NGOs is advantageous. The consultant should also have experience in framing research questions and assessing bias in nutrition research.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of the local language of the duty station would be considered an added advantage, as it may facilitate better communication with local stakeholders and communities.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy may involve working with various stakeholders and requires a commitment to UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability. The selected candidate will not be considered a staff member under UN regulations and will not receive benefits such as leave entitlements or medical insurance. They will be responsible for their tax liabilities and ensuring valid visa and health insurance for the contract duration. Additionally, candidates must confirm their fully vaccinated status against COVID-19, although this requirement does not apply to those working remotely.