Nutrition Officer (NO-2), Temporary Appointment

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Nutrition Officer (NO-2), Temporary Appointment

Organization: UNICEF

Duty Station: Sokoto, Nigeria

Job Number: 594087

Contract Type: Temporary Appointment

Level: NO-2

Functional Area: Nutrition

ROLE PURPOSE

The Nutrition Officer will provide technical, operational and administrative support throughout the nutrition programme cycle in UNICEF’s Sokoto Field Office.

The officer will assist with the design, planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting of nutrition programmes. The position requires the collection, analysis and presentation of programme information to support evidence-based decision-making and the delivery of quality nutrition services for children, women and vulnerable communities.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Nutrition Programme Development and Planning

• Support nutrition situation analyses by reviewing programme data, assessments, surveys and relevant social, health and economic trends.

• Identify nutrition needs, service gaps, inequalities and barriers affecting children, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and other vulnerable groups.

• Contribute technical information to the design and formulation of nutrition programmes and projects.

• Assist in preparing programme proposals, work plans, results frameworks, budgets, implementation schedules and monitoring indicators.

• Ensure that planned activities are consistent with UNICEF priorities, national nutrition policies and agreed programme results.

• Support planning for nutrition interventions in development, fragile and emergency settings.

Programme Management, Monitoring and Results

• Support the implementation and monitoring of nutrition work plans and partner activities.

• Collect, analyse and interpret programme data to assess progress against agreed indicators and targets.

• Conduct or participate in monitoring visits to programme locations and implementing partners.

• Identify implementation delays, technical gaps and operational challenges and recommend appropriate corrective action.

• Prepare technical reports, progress updates, briefing notes, presentations and other programme documents.

• Support reviews of programme expenditure, supplies, partner performance and implementation progress.

• Ensure that programme records, monitoring information and supporting documents are complete and properly maintained.

• Contribute to programme reviews, evaluations and assessments and follow up on agreed recommendations.

Technical and Operational Support

• Provide technical assistance to government institutions, implementing partners, civil-society organisations and community stakeholders.

• Support the implementation of evidence-based nutrition interventions for children and women.

• Help partners apply relevant nutrition standards, guidelines, protocols and UNICEF procedures.

• Support coordination between nutrition services and related sectors such as health, WASH, food security, social protection and education.

• Assist with emergency preparedness and nutrition response activities where required.

• Support the identification and resolution of operational bottlenecks affecting programme quality and coverage.

• Contribute to the planning and monitoring of nutrition supplies and other programme resources.

Networking and Partnership Building

• Maintain working relationships with government nutrition authorities, NGOs, UN agencies, donors, community organisations and other partners.

• Participate in technical meetings, working groups, coordination forums and programme reviews.

• Support the preparation of programme proposals, donor reports, advocacy materials and technical presentations.

• Share programme evidence and results with partners to improve coordination and decision-making.

• Promote cooperation among stakeholders involved in maternal, infant, young-child and community nutrition programming.

Innovation, Knowledge Management and Capacity Building

• Identify and document lessons learned, good practices, programme achievements and implementation challenges.

• Support the introduction of innovative approaches that improve nutrition programme quality, coverage and efficiency.

• Share technical information, research findings and programme evidence with colleagues and partners.

• Assist in organising training, mentoring and capacity-development activities for government officials, implementing partners and community workers.

• Participate as a technical resource person during nutrition training and learning activities.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

A bachelor’s degree or equivalent first-level university degree in:

• Nutrition and Dietetics
• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Biological Sciences
• Food Science
• Another closely related discipline

Experience:

• At least two years of relevant professional experience in nutrition, public health, maternal and child health, programme management, monitoring and evaluation, capacity building, humanitarian response or a related field.

• Experience managing or supporting nutrition projects in complex environments.

• Previous experience working in an emergency or humanitarian context is required.

REQUIRED TECHNICAL SKILLS

• Nutrition programme planning and implementation
• Research and evidence generation
• Data collection and analysis
• Statistical analysis
• Monitoring and evaluation
• Technical and donor reporting
• Capacity building
• Programme documentation
• Partnership and stakeholder coordination

LANGUAGE

Fluency in English is required.

Knowledge of another official UN language or a relevant Nigerian language is an advantage.

DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE

• Knowledge of UN rules, regulations and procedures
• Previous experience with UNICEF, another UN agency or an international development organisation
• Experience working in fragile or humanitarian settings
• Experience supporting government-led nutrition programmes

UNICEF COMPETENCIES

• Building and maintaining partnerships
• Demonstrating ethical awareness
• Achieving measurable results
• Innovating and embracing change
• Managing ambiguity and complexity
• Thinking and acting strategically
• Working collaboratively with others

APPLICATION DEADLINE

July 10, 2026.