International Consultant for Pre-Service Nutrition Training Needs Assessment and Scoping Study
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 purpose of this consultancy is to conduct a national scoping assessment of pre-service nutrition education and training in Afghanistan. The goal is to identify gaps, opportunities, and strategic actions required to strengthen the country's capacity to produce competent nutrition professionals. The assessment will examine institutions, programmes, curricula, faculty, students, practical training arrangements, quality assurance mechanisms, graduate outcomes, and workforce alignment. It will also assess the feasibility of strengthening existing programmes and establishing new undergraduate or postgraduate training opportunities in nutrition, public health nutrition, and related disciplines. This consultancy is crucial for building a stronger nutrition workforce in Afghanistan.
Responsibilities
Conduct a national scoping assessment of pre-service nutrition education and training in Afghanistan. Identify gaps, opportunities, and strategic actions to strengthen the country's capacity to produce competent nutrition professionals. Examine institutions, programmes, curricula, faculty, students, practical training arrangements, quality assurance mechanisms, graduate outcomes, and workforce alignment. Assess the feasibility of strengthening existing programmes and establishing new undergraduate or postgraduate training opportunities in nutrition, public health nutrition, and related disciplines. Prepare a comprehensive report detailing findings, analysis, and recommendations. Engage with key stakeholders, including government agencies, academic institutions, and development partners, to gather information and validate findings. Ensure the assessment aligns with UNICEF's mandate and contributes to improving child nutrition outcomes in Afghanistan. Develop a technical proposal outlining the methodology and approach for the assessment.
Work Experience
At least 10 years of senior-level experience leading national level engagement with government agencies, stakeholders, decentralized planning processes, and development partners and networks on decentralized service delivery.
Skills
Experience conducting assessments, mapping exercises, and stakeholder analyses for public sector institutions., Experience with systems strengthening, training and capacity building., Engagement with civil society organizations and the private sector., Knowledge and experience of nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive stakeholder landscapes., Experience with nutrition programming and planning processes., Familiarity with various coordination mechanisms., Demonstrated experience in conducting Nutrition Training Needs Assessments., Experience with scoping assessments of nutrition workforce capacity, training systems, educational programmes, and institutional capacity., Experience working with higher education institutions and academia., Experience in curriculum review and development., Experience in academic programme assessment, research, and capacity building initiatives.