UNICEF
Nutrition Support Officer, Knowledge Management
Employer: UNICEF
Job Categories: Health, Project Management
Vacancy Code: VA/2024/B5323/28548
Department/Office: AFR, KEMCO, Kenya
Duty Station: Nairobi, Kenya
Contract Type: Local ICA Specialist
Contract Level: LICA Specialist-8
Duration: 4 months with the possibility of extension, subject to satisfactory performance, availability of funds, and necessity of services
Application Period: 24-Jul-2024 to 07-Aug-2024
Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement.
Please note that UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
Background Information – Job-specific
Kenya has made significant progress in nutrition outcomes in recent years. According to the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey, the proportion of children under-five years who are short for their age (stunting) has reduced from 26 percent reported in 2014 to 18 percent in 2022. However, the improvements are not evenly distributed across the country with large disparities still existing. Stunting ranges from 9% to 37% across counties. On the other hand, wasting has remained a major problem in the arid and semi-arid counties. According to the 2023 short rains assessment conducted in February 2024, the nutrition situation has remained extremely critical in Turkana South (IPC AMN Phase 5) and critical (IPC AMN Phase 4) in Turkana Central, Turkana West, Turkana North, North Horr, Laisamis sub-counties, Mandera, and East Pokot in Baringo. Isiolo, Wajir, Garissa, Samburu, Tana River, Saku sub-county, and West Pokot are in Serious phase (IPC AMN Phase 3). Malnutrition remains prevalent in these counties due to household food insecurity, poor child care practices, poor water quality, high disease burden, sub-optimal coverage of multisectoral high impact intervention, and multiple recurrent shocks.
It is against this backdrop that UNICEF Kenya has been supporting the government at national and county levels to implement actions to address malnutrition as espoused in the UNICEF Kenya Country Program 2022-2026 Survive and Thrive Program Strategy Note. Nutrition knowledge management is a key priority in the 2022-2026 Kenya country program geared towards creating, sharing, and managing nutrition knowledge and information to facilitate decision making, learning, and innovation. To achieve this, UNICEF Kenya country office is seeking the support of a nutrition support officer to assist the nutrition section team in making the best use of available data and knowledge. The officer will support the nutrition section to identify, organize, and disseminate quality and effective products for a varied target audience including donors, government, and other stakeholders.
Functional Responsibilities
Under the guidance of the Nutrition Specialist – Information Systems and M&E, the incumbent will provide professional support and effective teamwork for the implementation of nutrition knowledge management. He/She will be responsible for the development of knowledge and communication products to enhance the visibility of the UNICEF Kenya Nutrition Program and advance the survival and well-being of children, mothers, and all populations in Kenya.
Summary of Key Functions:
- Compile Data and Prepare Communication Products
- Gather, organize, and analyze data to create impactful communication materials.
- Develop high-quality reports, presentations, and briefs tailored to various stakeholders.
- Undertake Field Visits
- Conduct field visits to monitor programs and contribute to periodic program reviews with Implementing Partners.
- Document success stories, challenges, and lessons learned from the field.
- Promote Knowledge Sharing
- Facilitate the exchange of nutrition information and experiences with stakeholders to improve service delivery.
- Participate in workshops, conferences, and meetings to share insights and gather feedback.
- Research and Implement Best Practices
- Keep abreast of the latest developments in knowledge management and nutrition.
- Implement innovative approaches and digital solutions to enhance knowledge management practices.
- Design and Develop Communication Materials
- Utilize graphic design skills to create visually appealing publications, fact sheets, and leaflets.
- Prepare layouts for documents and reports that are engaging and easy to read.
- Support Reporting and Logistics
- Update reporting schedules, prepare templates, and ensure timely submission of reports.
- Provide logistical support for organizing and reporting on conferences and events.
- Utilize Data Analysis Tools
- Analyze and visualize data using software such as Power Bi to inform decision-making.
- Leverage Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for map production and geographic data management.
Competencies
- Respect for Diversity: Treats all individuals with respect and responds sensitively to differences.
- Teamwork: Acts as a positive role model contributing to team spirit and collaborates effectively.
- Accountability: Takes ownership of tasks and maintains high standards of trustworthiness.
- Planning and Organizing: Efficiently establishes action plans to accomplish goals.
- Adaptability: Open to change and flexible in a fast-paced environment.
- Decision Making: Evaluates data and reaches logical decisions.
- Communication: Expresses ideas clearly and concisely, actively listens, and shares knowledge.
Education/Experience/Language Requirements
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition, Public Health, Humanitarian Affairs, Management, and/or Social Science or a related field is required.
- University degree or equivalent background in Information Communication Technology, Computer Science, or Communication is highly desirable.
Experience:
- Minimum 2 years of experience in health and nutrition programming, emergency preparedness, and response is required.
- Experience in implementing programs in liaison with the Kenya Government or Non-Governmental Organizations is desired.
- Minimum one-year experience in information and knowledge management is desired.
- Experience working in a multi-national/multi-cultural environment is an added advantage.
- Familiarity with UNICEF Kenya Nutrition Program reporting, grant management, and reporting systems will be an added advantage.
- Proficiency in computer skills including use of relevant software and applications, e.g., Power BI, ArcGIS, word processing, spreadsheets, databases, Internet navigation, etc., is an asset.
Language Requirements:
- Fluency in written and oral English is required.
- Knowledge of another official UN language or a local language is an asset.
Contract Type, Level, and Duration
- Contract Type: Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA)
- Contract Level: Local ICA Specialist-8
- Contract Duration: 4 months with the possibility of extension, subject to satisfactory performance, availability of funds, and necessity of services.
This is a local position, open to Kenyan Nationals only.
Additional Information
- UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
- Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
- Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.
UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunities. Our workforce consists of diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
Qualified women and candidates from groups underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include, in particular, candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
Terms and Conditions
- For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
- For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
- All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks.
- All personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.
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