Health and Nutrition Officer

Mission and objectivesThe fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programmes, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favouritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfil their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations. In the Pacific, UNICEF works in Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Nauru, Niue, Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu: These 14 Pacific island countries are home to 2.3 million people, including 1.2 million children and youth, living on more than 660 islands and atolls stretching across 17.2 million square kilometers of the Pacific Ocean, an area comparable to the combined size of the United States of America and Canada. Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Solomon Islands, and Tuvalu are classified as Fragile States according to World Bank/OECD criteria. UNICEF Pacific programme is implemented by the Pacific Multi Country Office (PMCO) in Fiji and 5 Field Offices based in Solomon Islands, Kiribati, Vanuatu, FSM, and Samoa, that are at the frontline of impacting the lives of children.

Context Solomon Islands is grappling with the triple burden of malnutrition (undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and overweight and obesity), which is compounded by climate change. In addressing these challenges, with funding support from the Government of Japan, UNICEF implements a three-year project (2025-2028) entitled, “The Project for Nutrition Improvement through the School Meals in Isabel and Western Provinces”. In close collaboration with Ministries of Agriculture, Education and Health, the project aims to deliver an integrated package of school-based meal provision that will utilize climate-smart nutrition, sustainable agriculture and climate resilient water sanitation and hygiene (WASH) interventions. A model of home grown, and community sustained school meal provision will be piloted in 9 selected secondary schools in Western and Isabel Provinces, with contribution to the development and future rollout of a national strategy for locally sustained school meal programme in Solomon Islands. Effective multi-sectoral collaboration is a key to the project success. Given the nature of the project that features the development and piloting of the model, the project has a strong monitoring and evaluation component to generate and document the evidence for policy making. The project also offers an opportunity to integrate other school-based health interventions to improve the overall wellbeing of students. In this context, UNICEF Pacific Multi-Country Office is seeking for a health and nutrition officer (UNV) focusing on school health and nutrition programming to be based in Honiara, Solomon Islands.

Task DescriptionWithin the delegated authority and under the supervision of Maternal and Child Health Specialist, Solomon Islands or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer Health and Nutrition Officer will be responsible for supporting UNICEF’s school health and nutrition programme in Solomon Islands, with special focus on the Government of Japan funded project (2025-2028) entitled, “The Project for Nutrition Improvement through the School Meals in Isabel and Western Provinces”. The tasks will include: • Support multi-sectoral coordination to ensure effective implementation of the “The Project for Nutrition Improvement through the School Meals in Isabel and Western Provinces”, across Ministries of Health, Education, and Agriculture at national, while ensuring the information feedback loop between national, provincial and school/community levels. • Lead monitoring and reporting aspect of the “The Project for Nutrition Improvement through the School Meals in Isabel and Western Provinces” through the collection, compilation, and analysis of the project data; preparation of monthly, quarterly and annual reports on project progress; and tracking of fund utilization and supply inputs; and collecting and writing human interest stories ensuring the donor visibility. • Monitor the project activities at all levels, particularly at school and communities, and provide hands-on assistance in implementing health and nutrition activities (such as health and nutrition screening, health, nutrition, hygiene and food system education, referral for students in need of special services, school meal recipe development and preparation) at school levels • Coordinate technical assistance to the development and implementation of integrated health and nutrition approaches in collaboration with internal and external partners, with special focus on school-aged children and adolescents. • Establish and maintain effective partnership and working relationships with all relevant stakeholders including donors for advocacy, technical coordination, information sharing and knowledge networking. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities: • Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; • Provide annual and end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities. • Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Competencies and values• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNICEF; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNICEF procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; • Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNICEF in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority; • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; • Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. • Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities; • Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; • Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary; • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNICEF’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

Living conditions and remarksSolomon Islands is an island group of 997 islands and atolls, in the Melanesian region of the Pacific with its capital in Honiara. It is home to 320,026 children, and a total population of 721,455 (2019 Provisional Census). The Solomon Islands is a lower-middle income country and one of the Pacific’s poorest. At least three quarters of the population resides in rural areas, with rural villages often comprising fewer than 20 households. The distance and remoteness of inhabited areas as well as the lack of infrastructure represent an enormous challenge to public service delivery. The country is highly vulnerable to tropical storms, extreme rainfall, floods and droughts. The Country lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire and is prone to earthquakes with low level shakes felt very frequently. Agriculture, mining, fishing, and forestry are the Solomon Islands’ leading industries, all of which are negatively affected by extreme weather events. Solomon Islands has an equatorial climate, that is, hot, humid and rainy all year round. Temperatures are stable throughout the year: highs are around 31 °C (88 °F) from November to April with a slight drop from May to October. Rainfall is abundant all year with the peak in January to March. Honiara is the capital city of the Solomon Islands. In Honiara, there is access to power, phone, internet, piped water, restaurants, a variety of shops and large expatriate population. Provincial towns are well serviced compared to rural areas, and most have access to power. In rural areas, power will be generator-based if it is available. English is the official language but the lingua franca is Solomon Islands pijin, with more than 80 different local languages plus dialects spoken. Living and working in Pacific Island Countries including Solomon Islands provides an interesting and enriching experience, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as patience and commitment to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to appreciate the new and unique culture and environment are essential.