Individual Consultancy- Health & Nutrition- Data and Research

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 and offers diverse opportunities for professional and personal development to its staff. UNICEF is known for its passionate culture and dedication to serving children and communities worldwide, providing an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Job Overview:
The consultancy position aims to strengthen UNICEF Maldives' evidence generation, data analysis, and knowledge management functions within the Health and Nutrition programme. The consultant will be responsible for analyzing key health and nutrition datasets, including national surveys and routine information systems, to generate data profiles and thematic insights that will inform evidence-based planning and programming. The consultant will also support survey activities, provide technical and operational support for data collection, and conduct research on priority health or nutrition topics to produce actionable recommendations for UNICEF's design" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">program design and advocacy efforts. This role is crucial in addressing the evolving nutrition and health challenges faced by the Maldives, particularly in light of the rising non-communicable diseases and the triple burden of malnutrition.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct analysis of key health and nutrition datasets to generate data profiles, dashboards, and thematic insights.
• Support survey activities such as MICS and School health assessments.
• Provide technical, coordination, and operational support for planned data collection activities, including field coordination and quality assurance.
• Conduct research and data analysis on priority health or nutrition topics, producing profiles and actionable recommendations.
• Collaborate with government counterparts, schools, and field teams to ensure effective data collection and analysis.
• Develop dashboards and visualizations for decision-making and program use.
• Ensure timely and high-quality data reporting and documentation.
• Engage with stakeholders to promote the use of data in health and nutrition programming.

Required Qualifications:

• A university degree in Health Research, Statistics, Public Policy, Social Sciences, or a relevant technical field.
• A minimum of one year of relevant professional experience in public health, health research, epidemiology, or data analysis.
• Expertise in health and nutrition data analysis and experience in streamlining data collection processes.
• Proficiency in Excel, SPSS, and other data entry and analytical tools.
• Strong organizational and coordination skills, with experience working in multicultural teams.
• Ability to work effectively under tight deadlines and with minimal supervision.
• Good command of spoken and written English and Dhivehi.

Educational Background:
A university degree in one of the following fields is required: Health Research, Statistics, Public Policy, Social Sciences, or another relevant technical field. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of health and nutrition data and for conducting effective analysis and research.

Experience:
A minimum of one year of relevant professional experience is required, preferably in public health, health research, epidemiology, or data analysis. Experience in health and nutrition data analysis, streamlining data collection processes, and supporting field-level data quality assurance is highly desirable. Past experience working in research initiatives and producing research reports, literature reviews, or thematic analyses will be an added advantage.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Dhivehi is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset but is not required.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy is open to Maldivian nationals only. The position may involve working in a challenging environment and requires strong adaptability. UNICEF promotes a diverse and inclusive workforce and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, including those with disabilities. The role is subject to UNICEF's policies on child safeguarding and requires adherence to high standards of integrity and ethical conduct. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and may be required to provide additional information for background verification.