UNV Especialista de Salud y Nutrición (La Guaira)
Organizational Context
UNICEF's core mission is to promote children's rights, focusing on equity by directing resources to disadvantaged and excluded children and families. In Venezuela since 1967, UNICEF collaborates with national and subnational authorities, civil society, academia, and the private sector. Following major earthquakes in June 2026, UNICEF is leading health and nutrition response efforts in affected areas, prioritizing essential services, maternal and child health, and support for displaced populations.
Job Purpose
This role supports UNICEF's emergency response in La Guaira, Venezuela, following significant earthquakes. The Specialist will contribute to the planning, implementation, and monitoring of integrated health and nutrition interventions in affected municipalities. The primary goal is to ensure the coordination and effective delivery of emergency responses, focusing on the early recovery of maternal, neonatal, and child health. The position involves assessing needs, strengthening service delivery points, building local capacity, and promoting essential primary healthcare services, with a particular emphasis on maternal and child health and nutrition in emergency contexts.
Responsibilities
The UNV Health and Nutrition Specialist will support the planning, implementation, and monitoring of integrated health and nutrition interventions in earthquake-affected municipalities, aiming to improve response quality. Key duties include coordinating emergency responses with authorities and partners for maternal, neonatal, and child health recovery; conducting field visits to assess needs and service gaps; and proposing corrective actions. The role involves supporting the establishment and strengthening of health service delivery points, enhancing the capacities of local personnel and communities through training, and promoting adequate conditions for maternal and child care, including breastfeeding support. The specialist will contribute to restoring primary healthcare services, implementing integrated emergency health and nutrition packages (immunization, child health, nutrition screening, micronutrient supplementation, IYCF-E), and coordinating with various stakeholders. Data collection, analysis, reporting, and continuous communication with local health authorities are also essential functions.
Work Experience
Requires at least 5 years of relevant professional experience in health and nutrition programs, with a focus on maternal and child health and/or hospital management. Postgraduate studies in Pediatrics, Obstetrics, or Neonatology are desirable. Experience in capacity building, technical support in humanitarian contexts, and coordination with governmental authorities, NGOs, UN agencies, and community actors is needed. Experience in humanitarian health and nutrition interventions, emergency response, and strengthening health systems is also required.
Skills
Key competencies include accountability, adaptability, collaboration, creativity, judgment, planning, professionalism, self-management, partnership building, and ethical awareness. Technical expertise in emergency preparedness, crisis response, nutrition, public health, and immunization is essential. Strong communication, facilitation, active listening, and collaborative work skills are necessary for building trust with key stakeholders.