Health and Nutrition Officer

Mission and objectivesUNICEF works to promote and protect the rights of every child, with a particular focus on those who are most vulnerable and disadvantaged. We work with the government to improve national and regional policies, programmes and services for children and adolescents. Together with partners, we address common barriers to the realization of their rights.

ContextThe fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, 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 favoritism. 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. Equity 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. (Visit: https://www.unicef.org/philippines/). Moreover, the assignment is intended to support the health and nutrition program in the Mindanao Field Office to help realize UNICEF’s 9th Country Programme for Children (CPC 9) Strategy 1. This strategy aims to uphold the right of every child to survive and thrive—ensuring that children are alive, healthy, well-nourished, and enjoying mental health and overall well-being. Specifically, the assignment contributes to the achievement of CPC 9 output 1.5, that by 2028, the BARMM Government has enhanced capacity to plan, implement, monitor, and coordinate the integrated delivery of health, nutrition-specific, and nutrition-sensitive services as outlined in the UNICEF-Ministry of Health Rolling Work Plan (RWP) 2024-2028.

Task DescriptionUnder the delegated authority and the supervision of the Health and Nutrition Specialist or his designated representative(s), the Health and Nutrition Officer will allocate approximately 50% of his/her time to health-related programs and 50% to nutrition initiatives. This excludes the PMNP, which is managed by a dedicated project team. The UNV will collaborate closely with and support the Health Officer (NoB-FT), the Nutrition Officer (NoB-FT), and the Maternal, Newborn, Child, Adolescent Health (MNCAH)/Immunization Consultant for guidance to ensure coordinated and effective implementation of activities. Specifically, the Health and Nutrition Officer will perform the following: • Provide sound professional technical assistance and advice on health and nutrition programming to the BARMM- Nutrition Council, BARMM Ministry of Health – Family Health Unit and its associated 5 provincial health offices to achieve results and targets as described in the UNICEF-MOH joint Rolling Workplan (RWP). • Apply core strategies to ensure results, including advocacy, capacity development, behaviour change communications (in cooperation with the SBC Officer), strategic partnerships, services delivery, disability inclusion, use of data and innovation/technology as well as networking and team participation/collaboration. • Monitor planning and implementation of the health and nutrition component results and targets (RAM and non-RAM indicators), work closely with the Cotabato-based Monitoring Officer for field-level data collection from specific municipal assessments, and other surveys, as well as from routine reporting systems. • Periodically update the analysis of bottlenecks and barriers to achieving planned results as well as progress in implementation of the Regional and Provincial Nutrition Action Plans and the soon-to-be-developed BARMM Health Master Plan and propose solutions to UNICEF and the BARMM government. • Organize quarterly reviews of progress in implementation of UNICEF-Government workplans (i.e., Rolling Workplans or RWP) and adjustment of activities or implementation modalities with government and CSO partners, updating the health and nutrition components of the RWP at the end of the year in cooperation with BARMM Ministry of Health. • Provide sound analysis and data for reporting to UNICEF and donors, including age and gender disaggregated data, drafting donor reports and proposals and programme documents as required. • Facilitate effective partnerships and collaboration for advocacy, technical cooperation, programme coordination, information sharing and knowledge networking. • Identify, capture, synthesize, and share lessons learned for knowledge development and to build the capacity of stakeholders. • Any other related tasks may be required or assigned by the supervisor. Furthermore, the 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 taking an 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 remarksEntitlements of National UN Volunteer include Entry Lump Sum Allowance (USD400), Monthly Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) for the National UN Volunteer Specialist in the Philippines, at about USD889(*) paid in local currency equivalent; Insurance Coverage (Comprehensive health, life, and malicious acts insurance); Annual Leave of 2.5 days per month; Access to UNV’s learning and career development resources; and Exit Lump Sum Allowance (1-month VLA/12 months) payable upon successful completion of the assignment. *VLA will be specified when the Offer of UN Volunteer assignment is issued. For the full entitlements at the duty station check this link: https://app.unv.org/calculator. The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos.