UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, nutrition

Please access UNICEF Sierra Leone information here and here

How can you make a difference?

The Nutrition Officer will offer expert technical assistance and support in the design, planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and administration of the various nutrition programme activities. This includes tasks such as data analysis, progress reporting, knowledge generation, networking, and capacity building. The objective is to facilitate the achievement of planned objectives outlined in the work plan, aligned to the Sierra Leone Country Office nutrition program goals and strategy within the Health and Nutrition Section (HNS). The focus areas include nutrition in early and mid-childhood with emphasis on infant and young child feeding practices, nutrition of adolescents, micronutrient supplementation, and early detection and treatment of severe acute malnutrition in addition to nutrition governance or systems strengthening interventions such as nutrition information systems, nutrition supply chain strengthening, nutrition advocacy and financing, multi-sectoral coordination, policy/guideline/strategy development among others.

Key Responsibilities

• Support to programme development and planning
• Data management and reporting in quarterly basis
• Programme management, monitoring, evaluation, and delivery of result
• Technical and operational support to programme implementation and cash transfers
• Networking and partner building
• Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building
• Field monitoring and supervision

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Minimum requirements:

• Education: A Bachelor level university degree in one of the following fields is required: Nutrition, Public Health and Nutrition and Child Development, or other relevant disciplines.

• Work Experience: At least two years of progressively responsible work experience in program planning, implementation and management, child health and nutrition and data management skills is required.

• Skills:

• Extensive knowledge of nutrition programmes such as nutrition in early childhood, nutrition of adolescents, maternal and early detection and treatment of malnutrition, nutrition information and data analysis, nutrition governance and principles of project management.
• Computer literacy and the ability to effectively use standard office software tools as well as good knowledge and skills in using HMIS and other data analytical operational systems.
• Ability to build cross-sectional or cross-organizational partnerships.
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.
• Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.

• Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Krio is encouraged.

Desirable:

• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

We offer a wide range of measures to include a more diverse workforce, such as paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination. UNICEF is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.