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, striving 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 government, civil society, children, and families. The organization emphasizes the importance of Food-Based Dietary Guidelines (FBDGs) as a tool for improving diets and feeding practices, particularly for vulnerable populations such as young children and women of reproductive age.

Job Overview:
The consultant will contribute to the development of Food-Based Dietary Guidelines (FBDGs) for Nigeria, focusing on improving dietary practices and health outcomes for children and women. 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 be responsible for conducting a situation analysis and evidence review, proposing a draft mandate for the FBDGs, and identifying key issues to be addressed. The consultant will also analyze relevant secondary data to describe diets, set preliminary diet goals, and contribute to the targeted food system analysis. This position requires a deep understanding of nutrition, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security, and health systems in Nigeria, as well as the ability to work independently and collaboratively with various stakeholders.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Propose a draft mandate for the FSBDGs by considering national food, diet, and nutrition policies and commitments, in consultation with the food systems specialist and technical task team.
• Contribute to the proposal/plan for the situation analysis and evidence review (SAER) with the intended users, rationale, overview of methods, and estimated timeframe.
• Conduct a targeted policy and program review covering nutrition and health-related policies and programs.
• Describe and prioritize major issues to be addressed by the FSBDGs by analyzing relevant secondary data.
• Review evidence on relationships between diet and health by analyzing relevant secondary data.
• Describe diets and set preliminary diet goals and targets by analyzing relevant secondary data.
• Contribute to the targeted food system analysis and identification of effective interventions.
• Collaborate with the food systems specialist to describe diet factors associated with prioritized health and nutrition issues.
• Prepare a proposal for revising preliminary diet goals/targets based on findings. 1
• Lead the writing of the situation analysis and evidence review report. 1
• Contribute to the validation workshop for the SAER, presenting results and revising the report as necessary.

Required Qualifications:
The consultant must possess excellent knowledge of nutrition, food security, and the health system in Nigeria. They should have experience in nutrition, food security, or health-related surveys and assessments, as well as in analyzing scientific data and writing scientific reports. Strong interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills are essential for establishing and maintaining working relationships with stakeholders. The consultant should be able to work independently and systematically, with knowledge of Food-Based Dietary Guidelines and experience in developing nutrition and food security guidelines. Familiarity with UN and NGO operations is advantageous, along with proficiency in Microsoft software and data visualization skills.

Educational Background:
An advanced degree in Nutrition, Dietetics, Food Science, Public Health, or any related discipline is required for this position. The educational background should provide a strong foundation in nutrition science and public health principles, enabling the consultant to effectively contribute to the development of dietary guidelines.

Experience:
The consultant should have a proven track record of working in nutrition and food security, particularly within the Nigerian context. Experience in conducting systematic reviews, analyzing data, and developing guidelines is crucial. Familiarity with the UN system and experience working with NGOs will be beneficial. 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 an added advantage, as it may facilitate communication with local stakeholders and communities.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to be full-time, with specific deliverables and outputs outlined in the job description. The consultant will be required to submit an all-inclusive financial and technical proposal along with their application. UNICEF emphasizes its commitment to diversity and inclusion, encouraging applicants from various backgrounds. The selected candidate will undergo rigorous reference and background checks, including verification of academic credentials and employment history. Additionally, candidates may need to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19, although this requirement does not apply to those working remotely.