UN-Nutrition Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
UN-Nutrition is the United Nations’ platform for collective action on nutrition, established in 2020 and hosted by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Rome. The organization aims to unite various UN agencies to align efforts, reduce fragmentation, and support both national and global nutrition goals. It operates under the mandate of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and is governed by a Steering Committee comprising five constituent agencies: FAO, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the World Food Programme (WFP), and the World Health Organization (WHO), along with rotating members such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and CGIAR. UN-Nutrition's mission is to enhance the efficiency, effectiveness, and coherence of nutrition-related work across UN agencies, fostering alignment, joint advocacy, and strategic integration of nutrition into development and humanitarian agendas. The organization focuses on enabling and supporting UN-Nutrition teams to deliver coordinated assistance that advances national priorities and the right to adequate food and nutrition for all.

Job Overview:
The UN-Nutrition Specialist roles encompass three distinct focus areas: Advocacy Lead, Thought Leadership and Partnership Expert, and Reporting and Governance Support Specialist. The Advocacy Lead will spearhead global nutrition advocacy efforts, managing team dynamics and overseeing knowledge management and communications. The Thought Leadership and Partnership Expert will provide strategic engagement and coordination with relevant partnership platforms, while the Reporting and Governance Support Specialist will focus on governance, reporting, and stewardship within the Secretariat. Each role is designed to support UN-Nutrition's overarching goal of improving nutrition outcomes globally by ensuring that nutrition is integrated into various agendas, including food systems, climate change, health, and sustainable development. The position requires a proactive approach to managing partnerships and advocacy initiatives, ensuring that UN-Nutrition's objectives are met through collaborative efforts across multiple stakeholders.

Duties and Responsibilities:
For the Advocacy Lead or Thought Leadership and Partnership Expert, the responsibilities include leading the development and implementation of advocacy or partnership strategies aligned with UN-Nutrition priorities, coordinating joint workplans across member agencies, representing UN-Nutrition in global policy processes, managing strategic engagement in global platforms, building partnerships with various stakeholders, producing evidence-based materials for advocacy efforts, overseeing knowledge management standards, and mentoring staff or consultants. The Reporting and Governance Support Specialist will coordinate annual and biennial reporting, apply organizational reporting requirements, support monitoring and evaluation for reporting, provide logistical support for meetings, maintain governance files, ensure compliance with documentation procedures, track budgets, and prepare communication materials for leadership.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in fields such as public health, nutrition, international relations, political science, communications, food systems, or development studies. Those with a bachelor's degree must have two additional years of relevant professional experience. A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in advocacy, partnerships, policy development, nutrition, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security, public health, or international development is required for the Advocacy Lead or Thought Leadership and Partnership Expert roles. For the Reporting and Governance Support Specialist, at least one year of experience in coordination, reporting, project support, or administration in international or multi-stakeholder settings is necessary. A working knowledge of English is mandatory, and familiarity with another official UN language is advantageous.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree in relevant fields such as public health, nutrition, international relations, political science, communications, food systems, or development studies. Candidates with a bachelor's degree must have additional professional experience to qualify. This educational foundation is essential for understanding the complexities of nutrition and its integration into broader development agendas.

Experience:
The level of experience needed for this position varies by role. For the Advocacy Lead and Thought Leadership and Partnership Expert, a minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in relevant fields is required. This experience should encompass advocacy, partnerships, policy development, and international development. For the Reporting and Governance Support Specialist, at least one year of experience in coordination, reporting, or project support in international settings is necessary. Candidates should demonstrate a track record of effective engagement in multi-stakeholder environments and the ability to navigate complex organizational structures.

Languages:
A working knowledge of English is mandatory for all candidates. Additionally, knowledge of another official UN language such as Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish is considered an asset and may enhance a candidate's qualifications for the position.

Additional Notes:
The job is based in Rome, Italy, and is associated with the UN-Nutrition initiative, which operates under the auspices of the FAO. The position may involve collaboration with various UN agencies and stakeholders, requiring a commitment to the mission of improving nutrition globally. The role may be full-time, and candidates should be prepared for a dynamic work environment that involves coordination across multiple agencies and sectors. Compensation and benefits details are typically provided during the recruitment process.