National Maternal Nutrition Consultant

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 review and facilitate the adoption of essential maternal nutrition packages within primary health services in Somalia. This involves developing training materials and packages for health workers to enhance their capacity in maternal nutrition. The role will focus on strengthening existing delivery platforms for maternal nutrition and health services, specifically MMS/IFA and MNP programming, and anemia prevention and control. Key activities include establishing and reinforcing maternal nutrition screening, weight gain monitoring, nutrition education, and diet counselling, alongside Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC) and referral systems. The consultant will also contribute to supply planning, SBC rollout, and data system strengthening (DHIS2/HMIS integration, DQA), coordinating with the Ministry of Health and partners to improve the quality and coverage of maternal and adolescent nutrition services nationwide.

Responsibilities

Review existing health and nutrition policies, strategies, and guidelines to facilitate the adoption of the essential maternal nutrition package within the Essential Primary Health Services. Develop a comprehensive maternal nutrition training package for health workers, including job aids, to build capacity. Strengthen existing delivery platforms for maternal nutrition and health services, with a specific focus on MMS/IFA and MNP programming, and anemia prevention and control. Establish and strengthen maternal nutrition screening, weight gain monitoring, nutrition education, and diet counselling services. Implement and reinforce Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC) strategies and referral systems for maternal nutrition. Support supply planning and needs-based release of nutrition commodities. Facilitate the rollout of SBCC initiatives and strengthen data systems, including DHIS2/HMIS integration and Data Quality Assessments (DQA). Coordinate effectively with the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH)/Ministry of Health (MoH), clusters, and partners to ensure the quality, coverage, and adherence of maternal and adolescent nutrition services across Somalia.

Work Experience

4-8 years of experience in the development and review of nutrition policies and programs. Proven experience in designing and developing training curricula and packages for maternal and child health and nutrition.

Skills

Policy and Legal Framework for health and nutrition in Somalia, Integration of Essential Maternal Nutrition Package into EPHS, Capacity Development and Service Delivery, Maternal Nutrition Programming, WHO recommendations on maternal nutrition, Micronutrient supplementation (MMS, IFA, BEP), Anemia prevention and control strategies, Maternal nutrition and diet counselling, Weight gain monitoring, Training material development, Programme planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation, Interpersonal and coordination abilities

Explore related opportunities