Nutrition Specialist (Food Systems for Children), NO-3, Temporary Position, 364 days, Nairobi, Kenya, #00138122

Organizational Context

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential. We are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

Job Purpose

The Nutrition Specialist (Food Systems for Children) will provide technical and programme support to the implementation and strategic positioning of UNICEF Kenya's Food Systems for Children portfolio. This includes a focus on the implementation of First Foods Africa, prevention of overweight and obesity through healthier food environment policies, and the advancement of a coherent climate-nutrition agenda. The position will support the Nutrition Section in translating the FS4C Roadmap and related global and regional guidance into practical country-level plans, policy inputs, partner engagement processes, and evidence products. The role is crucial for addressing all forms of malnutrition and covering young children, school-age children, adolescents, and mothers.

Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of UNICEF Kenya Chief of Nutrition, the Nutrition Specialist will provide technical support in the development and implementation of policies, programmes, advocacy, and knowledge generation for food systems transformation for children. This includes addressing all forms of malnutrition and covering young children, school-age children, adolescents, and mothers. The Specialist will offer technical assistance, advocacy, and oversight on grant implementation and quality assurance for the food systems aspects of nutrition programs in Kenya. Key functions include supporting programme management, planning, and monitoring of FS4C, including FFA Initiative, OWO prevention, and climate-nutrition agendas. The role involves providing technical and operational support to programme implementation, networking, advocacy, and partnership building with stakeholders such as UN agencies, NGOs, donors, and academia. Additionally, the Specialist will be responsible for evidence generation, knowledge management, and capacity building.

Work Experience

A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience in food systems, nutrition-sensitive programming, or related programme areas is required. Demonstrated experience supporting programme development, implementation, monitoring, and reporting is also required.

Skills

Strong programme management skills, Work planning, coordination, milestone tracking, reporting, and follow-up, Excellent facilitation and coordination abilities for multisectoral meetings, Technical working group and workshop facilitation, Partner consultation, Sound judgement in addressing child rights, public health, and safeguarding, Collaborative work in complex, fast-moving, and politically sensitive environments, Navigating ambiguity, Results-focused approach, Innovation, Evidence generation, Knowledge management

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