International Consultant - Maternal and Adolescent Nutrition
Organizational Context
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 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 consultancy applies the UNICEF Programming Guidance on Maternal Nutrition (2021), which operationalises Results Area 3 of the UNICEF Nutrition Strategy 2020–2030. Its five programming priorities cover women’s nutrition before pregnancy, during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. They also cover adolescent mothers and other nutritionally at-risk women, and innovations for maternal nutrition. Under the supervision of the Nutrition Manager, the consultant will support the development of situation analysis and policy, pregnancy and breastfeeding, adolescent mothers and at-risk women, before pregnancy, systems, capacity and supply, SBC and gender, data, learning and innovation, and coordination and reporting.
Responsibilities
The consultant will support the development of situation analysis and policy related to maternal and adolescent nutrition. This includes assessing current policies and identifying gaps and opportunities for improvement. The consultant will also focus on programming for pregnancy and breastfeeding, ensuring that evidence-based interventions are integrated. A key area of focus will be adolescent mothers and at-risk women, addressing their specific nutritional needs and vulnerabilities. The consultant will contribute to strategies for nutrition before pregnancy, laying the foundation for healthy pregnancies. Support will be provided for systems, capacity building, and supply chain management to ensure effective program delivery. The consultant will also work on Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) and gender integration within nutrition programs. Furthermore, the role involves contributing to data collection, learning, and innovation to enhance program effectiveness and sustainability. Finally, the consultant will support coordination efforts among stakeholders and ensure timely and accurate reporting on program progress.
Work Experience
Minimum five years of relevant professional experience in nutrition or public health programming in a developing country, including maternal nutrition (ANC/postnatal nutrition counselling, IFA or MMS) and/or adolescent nutrition.
Skills
Maternal Nutrition Programming Guidance, WHO recommendations on antenatal and postnatal nutrition, MMS, calcium and BEP knowledge, Understanding of nutritional needs of pregnant adolescents, Understanding of gender and social norms affecting nutrition, Ability to design formative research, Ability to translate research findings into programme packages, Strong analytical skills, Programme development, Policy analysis, Capacity building, Coordination