Asociado en Salud y Nutrición

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established in 1946, is a United Nations agency dedicated to promoting the rights and well-being of children worldwide. Its mission is to ensure that every child has the opportunity to survive, develop, and reach their full potential without discrimination. UNICEF operates in over 150 countries, including Venezuela since 1967, focusing on equity and targeting resources to the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families. The organization collaborates with national and subnational authorities, civil society, academia, and the private sector to achieve its goals.

Job Overview:
The role of the Associate in Health and Nutrition is centered on providing technical assistance, monitoring, and evaluating key programs in field offices. The main functions include supervising maternal and child health care, strengthening the cold chain for vaccines, and managing pediatric HIV. In the nutritional aspect, the focus is on preventing and treating acute malnutrition through outpatient and community care models, addressing micronutrient deficiencies and overweight issues. The profile requires a professional specialized in pediatric or obstetric emergencies, hospital management, or clinical nutrition. The candidate must possess the ability to strengthen local staff competencies, adhere to minimum standards of maternal and child care, and coordinate with local authorities, NGOs, UN agencies, and other local partners, including community-based and faith-based organizations. In addition to operational management, the specialist is expected to generate technical reports and data analyses that allow for adjustments in emergency preparedness and response strategies according to UNICEF's work plan. Ultimately, the health and nutrition specialist must ensure that interventions not only save lives immediately but also promote sustainability and long-term development, ensuring that every child has access to comprehensive health services and adequate nutrition.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Under the direct supervision of the Field Office Chief and guidance from the central Health and Nutrition Chief, the UN Volunteer will carry out the following tasks: - Provide technical support for research and share information with partners and stakeholders in the design and implementation of health and nutrition strategies. - Develop and maintain effective working alliances with government counterparts in the health and nutrition sectors and national stakeholders. - Apply innovative approaches and promote best practices to support the reduction of maternal and child mortality. - Collaborate with WHO and national partners to contribute to rapid health assessments in identified emergency areas when necessary. - Ensure integrated emergency responses in health and nutrition by UNICEF in the current emergency in the coverage states, while also considering support for the Ministry of Health for early recovery planning of endemic diseases and maternal and child health. - Contribute to the implementation of community activities to increase prenatal care, pediatric consultations, immunization coverage, recovery of children who have abandoned HIV treatment, safe childbirth care, nutritional screening, management of acute malnutrition cases, nutritional screening in pregnant women, support during low-weight pregnancies, micronutrient supplementation, and counseling on infant and young child feeding. - Prepare periodic reports on the health status of children under five and women in various emergency situations, especially pregnant and lactating women, to share with the Health section and other critical areas of the Central Office. - Maintain communication with maternal and child health and nutrition care providers in the state to facilitate data collection from beneficiaries, support monitoring of funds for donor reporting, and identify needs related to the response, as well as support training activities. - Collaborate closely with the Integrated Health/Nutrition approach and focal points in the state to facilitate data collection from beneficiaries, support monitoring of funds for donor reporting, and identify needs related to the malnutrition response, as well as support training activities. - Contribute monthly to the collection, transmission, and analysis of health and nutrition component data through 5W reports and any other required reports. - Work closely with the Supply Unit in planning health supplies and timely procurement of necessary emergency supplies; monitor and follow up periodically on them, paying special attention to their use, alerting of upcoming expiration dates, and availability, and reporting on the beneficiaries reached with donated supplies. - Conduct regular visits to project sites to supervise the progress of interventions; propose solutions to advance and improve collaboration between agencies and NGOs. - Participate in monthly health and nutrition team meetings of the VCO.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a professional with a background in health, nutrition, or related fields, with a strong understanding of maternal and child health issues, emergency response protocols, and community health initiatives. The candidate should demonstrate excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, and the ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders. Strong analytical skills and the ability to generate reports and data analyses are essential. The candidate should also have a commitment to UNICEF's mission and values, particularly in promoting equity and the rights of children.

Educational Background:
A degree in public health, nutrition, medicine, or a related field is required. Advanced degrees or specialized training in pediatric health, obstetrics, or clinical nutrition are highly desirable. Additional certifications in emergency health response or community health programs would be an asset.

Experience:
A minimum of 2-3 years of professional experience in health and nutrition programs, particularly in emergency settings, is required. Experience working with UN agencies, NGOs, or government health departments is preferred. Familiarity with data collection and analysis, as well as monitoring and evaluation frameworks, is essential.

Languages:
Fluency in Spanish is mandatory, as it is the primary language of communication in Venezuela. Proficiency in English is considered an asset, as it may facilitate communication with international partners and stakeholders. Knowledge of indigenous languages spoken in the region would be a plus.

Additional Notes:
The assignment includes the UN Volunteer being stationed in the municipality of San Cristobal, with responsibilities that also include regular internal travel within the geographical area of responsibility in the state of Táchira, following strict UNICEF and UNDSS security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security recommendations. Accommodation costs at the duty station are the responsibility of the UNV, while UNICEF will cover internal travel costs according to internal policies and standard operating procedures. In addition to specific vaccination requirements for the destination, the assignment is subject to confirmation of full vaccination status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a vaccine endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO), which must be fulfilled before assuming the position. This does not apply to UN Volunteers who will work remotely and are not expected to work or visit UNICEF facilities, program implementation sites, or interact directly with the communities UNICEF serves, nor travel for UNICEF functions during the duration of their contracts. BENEFITS: The basic benefits of this assignment, according to the Conditions of Service for UN Volunteers, include: - A monthly living allowance of 1299 USD. - A pre-assignment allowance (paid in the first payroll). - An end-of-assignment allowance, paid at the end of the contract, provided that the corresponding conditions are met. - Medical, dental, and hospital assistance insurance, as well as life and disability insurance. - Among others.