National Consultant for Provincial Nutrition Support, Papua N. Guinea, 11.5 months (office based with travel)

Organizational Context

UNICEF operates in over 190 countries and territories, dedicated to saving children's lives, defending their rights, and helping them fulfill their potential from early childhood through adolescence. We are committed, passionate, and proud of our work, viewing the promotion of every child's rights not just as a job, but as a calling.

Job Purpose

The purpose of this consultancy is to strengthen community-level nutrition services in Papua New Guinea by supporting the field implementation of Component 1 – PNG Community based Approach to Reduce and End Stunting (PNG CARES) under the Child Nutrition and Social Protection (CNSP) project. This role will reinforce the delivery of essential health and nutrition interventions at household and community levels. It ensures that Village Health Assistants (VHAs) and health workers consistently provide Maternal, Infant and Young Child counselling, promote positive caregiving practices, and facilitate timely referrals for malnutrition treatment. The consultancy aims to enhance service coverage, accountability, and multisectoral coordination to advance CNSP objectives, aligning with national nutrition policies and responding to PNG’s socio-cultural context.

Responsibilities

The consultancy will focus on reinforcing the delivery of health and nutrition interventions at household and community levels, ensuring Village Health Assistants (VHAs) and health workers provide consistent Maternal, Infant and Young Child counselling, promote positive caregiving practices, and facilitate timely referrals for malnutrition treatment. The role will contribute to improving service coverage, enhancing accountability mechanisms, and strengthening multisectoral coordination among stakeholders. Key responsibilities include supporting the field implementation of Component 1 – PNG Community based Approach to Reduce and End Stunting (PNG CARES) under the Child Nutrition and Social Protection (CNSP) project. The consultant is expected to ensure alignment with national nutrition policies, be responsive to PNG’s socio-cultural context and operational guidelines, and apply child safeguarding principles. Upholding data confidentiality and professional standards in coordination with the National Department of Health (NDoH), UNICEF, and partners is crucial for advancing CNSP objectives.

Work Experience

A minimum of 2-5 years of professional experience in nutrition, public health, or community health. This includes strong technical knowledge of maternal and child nutrition, proven experience in program planning, monitoring, and evaluation within health contexts, and demonstrated ability to build the capacity of health workers and community-based volunteers.

Skills

Communication, Report writing, Advocacy, Collaboration with NGOs, UN agencies, and community stakeholders, Program planning, Monitoring and evaluation, Capacity building of health workers, Maternal and child nutrition technical knowledge, Community health implementation, Child safeguarding principles, Data confidentiality, Professionalism

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