Noc, Health & Nutrition Specialist, Beirut, Lebanon (Fixed Term Appointment)

PURPOSE OF THE JOB
The Health & Nutrition Specialist is responsible for the development, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation and administration of the Health & Nutrition programme, and specifically for the delivery of the Immunization and PHC elements of the programme. Accountable for effective technical and programme support to facilitate the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals agenda.
KEY END-RESULTS

Timely sectoral analysis, input, support and coordination contribute to the Situation Analysis and its periodic update for effective project planning, development and management, in partnership with key stakeholders and with contribution of knowledge institutions.
Quality contributions are made to the development and implementation of the Health & Nutrition programme through participation and collaboration with internal and external partners.Partnerships with global funds, multilateral and bilateral agencies and development banks, as well as relations with the private sector, enhanced and exploited efficiently to influence allocation of resources and investment decisions.
Work plan and objectives are strategically established, implementation support is effectively

provided, and planned results are delivered through timely application of technical expertise in consultation with all relevant partners.

Implementation progress is monitored and evaluated for adjustment, acceleration and improvement of program delivery and sustainability. Gender/sex disaggregated data and inputs provided.
Technical support and capacity development is provided to government and NGOs and all other partners at relevant stages of implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
The capacities of Country Office staff are strengthened through effective capacity building support in the development, implementation and management of the Health & Nutrition programme, and efficient communication is provided in building partnerships with collaborative agencies.
UNICEF and Government and implementing partner accountability is ensured for supply and non-supply assistance and disbursement of programme funds.
Effective working relationships with internal and external counterparts are maintained for advocacy, technical coordination, information sharing and knowledge networking.
Relevant and strategic information is kept available and shared with relevant stakeholders as required to support the Health & Nutrition Programme.
Required programme/project reports are timely prepared and shared with relevant stakeholders as required in compliance with established guidelines and procedures.
Emergency preparedness is maintained and, in emergencies, effective coordinated response is provided in line with the Core Commitments for Children (CCCs) in Humanitarian Action.

12. Other assigned duties and responsibilities are effectively accomplished.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES and DUTIES & TASKS 
Within the delegated authority and under the given organizational set-up, the incumbent may be assigned the primary, shared, or contributory accountabilities for all or part of the following areas of major duties and key end-results.

Timely sectoral analysis, input, support and coordination contribute to the Situation Analysis and its periodic update for effective project planning, development and management, in partnership with key stakeholders and with contribution of knowledge institutions.

     Contributes to the preparation of the Situation Analysis by compiling, analysing and evaluating information and providing the technical input and support to Health & Nutrition interventions and its periodic update. Prepares sectoral input to the Country Programme Document and all related documents (e.g., Country Programme Recommendation, Plans of Action, Country Programme Summary Sheet). Contributes to the consultation and coordination with key partners at all levels.

Quality contributions are made to the development and implementation of the Health & Nutrition programme through participation and collaboration with internal and external partners.Partnerships with global funds, multilateral and bilateral agencies and development banks, as well as relations with the private sector, enhanced and exploited efficiently to influence allocation of resources and investment decisions.

     Works with other UNICEF sections to ensure integration of the Health & Nutrition programme with other
    Programme components. Contributes to build on intersectoral experience and establish partnerships to promote innovative approaches to address immediate and underlying determinants of maternal, newborn and child health and nutrition, recognizing that health and nutrition outcomes are not the results of action in the health and nutrition sectors alone.
     Participates with UNICEF, Government, non-government organizations (NGOs) and other partners in the development of strategies and approaches relating to Health & Nutrition. Monitors status to ensure achievement of strategic results in line with agreed Annual and Country Programme objectives and adopts corrective action to meet programme/project objectives.
     Contributes to the identification and introduction of new approaches, methods and practices in project management for improving programme delivery with emphasis on sustainability of intervention and community participation.

Ensure implementation of the proposed work plan per objectives already set out by the H&N team and timely delivery of the planned results through application of technical expertise.

    Under the overall leadership of the Chief CSD the incumbent will be responsible for the development and implementation of the results-based annual / rolling work plan and objectives as well as for administration and monitoring of the sectoral project activities, consistent with the defined project strategic priorities and approaches.

Project implementation progress is monitored and evaluated for adjustment, acceleration and improvement of program delivery and sustainability.

     Undertakes field visits to monitor programmes, as well as participates in periodic programme reviews with government counterparts and other partners. Identifies necessary action for programme adjustments. Provides technical advice and support to government officials and implementing partners in the planning and management of the Health & Nutrition interventions and ensures their sustainability. Support maintenance of information system for monitoring gender sex aggregated data.

Technical support is provided to government and NGOs at various stages of the project implementation, monitoring and evaluation, including capacity building of government personnel and beneficiaries.

   Provides technical support to government and NGOs in the planning, development, implementation, and evaluation stages of the programmes/projects.
  Identifies training needs; designs and conducts training and orientation activities for government personnel and beneficiaries and other relevant partners, for the purpose of capacity building, sustainability of programme/projects and expansion of coverage of services.

The capacities of Country Office staff are strengthened through effective capacity building support in the development, implementation and management of the Health & Nutrition programme.

     Designs and implement a staff training/development programme to upgrade the capacity of the Country Office staff with regard to competencies for technical requirements as well as for the programme development, implementation and management of Health & Nutrition programme. Conducts relevant orientation, workshop, training and staff learning/development activities, including relying on technical partnership with collaborating agencies.

UNICEF and Government accountability is ensured for supply and non-supply assistance and disbursement of programme funds for Health & Nutrition.

    Coordinating with Operations and Supply staff on supply and non-supply assistance activities, ensures UNICEF, Government partner and all implementing partners accountability. Certifies disbursements of funds, ensuring those activities are within established plans of action and programme budget allotments; and to orientate and train Government and UNICEF implementing partners in UNICEF supply and non-supply policies and procedures.  Monitors the overall allocation and disbursement of programme funds, making sure that funds are properly coordinated, monitored and liquidated. Submits financial status reports to management in compliance with the regulations and guidelines.

Effective working relationships with internal and external counterparts are kept maintained for advocacy, technical coordination, information sharing and knowledge networking.

    Coordinates activities and exchanges information and knowledge with other programmes to contribute to achievement of overall country programme objectives. Builds up effective monitoring, knowledge database/network and reporting systems to ensure the availability of current and accurate programme information/data, and contributes to the development of communication materials and strategies to support advocacy and community participation for Health & Nutrition; and to widen partnership with all stakeholder at national, regional , district, community and household levels as well as with funding partners including the private sector in order to accelerate achievement of Health and Nutrition related MDGs goals.
   Facilitates partnership and collaboration with external counterparts, including those of the UN and national partners, in order to improve the ability to collect and disseminate relevant data, and to exchange information on programme/project development and implementation. Facilitates exchange of knowledge, information, experience and lessons learned.

Relevant and strategic information is kept available to support the Health & Nutrition

    Programme by the effective implementation of an integrated monitoring system.
    In collaboration with monitoring and evaluation and program communication colleagues, conducts accurate and timely monitoring and data collection, and supports an integrated monitoring system, in consultation with all relevant stakeholders.
     Coordinates with partners to ensure that monitoring systems are properly designed, and that data collection and analysis from field visits are coordinated and standardised across programmes to feed into to programme performance monitoring.
   Provides assistance for evaluation exercises, programme mid-term review, annual sector review and preview meetings with Government counterparts and all other relevant partners. Analyses and evaluates monitoring data, ensures achievement of objectives and proposes corrective measures as appropriate.

Required programme/project reports are timely prepared in compliance with the established guidelines and procedures.

    Contributes to the timely preparation of annual sector status reports and shares information with relevant partners as required in compliance with established guidelines and procedures. Participates in the preparation of all programme reports for management, Board, donors, budget reviews, programme analysis, and annual reports.

Emergency preparedness is maintained, emergency responses with effective coordination are provided

Supports emergency preparedness plan relating to Health & Nutrition. In case of emergency, assists in monitoring and assessing the nature and extent of the emergency in the assigned area, as required. Provides assistance to the Country Office in identifying where support is required. In line with the Core Commitments for Children (CCCs) in Humanitarian Action, strengthens partnerships with Health and Nutrition humanitarian actors.

Other assigned duties and responsibilities are effectively accomplished.

     Assumes any other duties and responsibilities assigned as appropriate to the purpose of this post, and delivers the results as required.
JOB GRADE FACTORS
  P3/NOC   -  Typically, as the functional leader of a sectoral group, provides technical leadership, guidance and direction for sectoral and inter- sectoral programme development, design, planning, implementation, and administration of specific project activities within a country programme in a small to medium size country office structure.                
 -  As a seasoned professional technical specialist, the incumbent is held accountable for timely and effective technical contribution to the preparation of situation analysis, programme documents, programme strategy, planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting..
 - As head of Health & Nutrition team and directly responsible for the implementation of the immunization and PHC programme, holds primary responsibility for the achievement of sectoral programme priorities and objectives consistent with the established strategy.
  -  Holds contributory responsibility for strategic recommendations and decisions on situation analysis and programme/project strategy development.
                    - Assumes primary responsibility for effective management of the sectoral cluster, including oversight/supervision of
                      project staff, financial accountability of funds and human resources management and development. 
QUALIFICATION and COMPETENCIES  ( [  ] indicates the level of proficiency required for the job.)

Education

Advanced university degree in Public Health and Nutrition or related disciplines. Medical Degree is an asset. Strong knowledge and experience of managing expanded programme of immunization essential.

Work Experience

Eight years of professional work experience at the national and international levels in planning, programming, implementation monitoring and evaluation of technical cooperation programmes related to Health and Nutrition. Professional work experience in a managerial position, or a technical expert position in child survival & development, health and nutrition care.
Field work experience (for NO).
Background/familiarity with emergency.

Language Proficiency

Fluency in English and Arabic.
 

Competency Profile (For details on competencies please refer toUNICEF Professional Competency Profiles.) 
i) Core Values (Required)

Commitment • Diversity and Inclusion • Integrity

ii) Core Competencies (Required)

Communication [ II ]  •  Working with People  [ II ]  •  Drive for Results  [ II ]

 
          
              iii)  Functional Competencies (Required)

Leading and Supervising [I]               •  Formulating Strategies and Concepts [II]
Analyzing [III]                                      •  Relating and Networking [II]
Deciding and Initiating Action [II]        •  Applying Technical Expertise [III]

iv) Technical Knowledge

a) Specific Technical Knowledge Required (for the job)

(Technical knowledge requirements specific to the job can be added here as required.) 

Knowledge of the technical areas of UNICEF programmes (e.g., PMTCT, HIV/AIDS,

   malaria, WASH, EPI)

Knowledge of theories, principles and methods in the selective fields of the following:

Public Health & Nutrition, International Health & Nutrition, Public Health & Nutrition Policy and Management, Child-Neonatal and Maternal Health & Nutrition Care, Family and Community Health & Nutrition, Health & Nutrition System  Management, Public Health & Nutrition Preparedness, Health & Nutrition Emergency Preparedness, Nutritional Epidemiology, Nutrition Research,  Health & Nutrition Education, Health & Nutrition Promotion and Disease Prevention, Educational Interventions in Health & Nutritional Care.

Knowledge of the global commitment on aid effectiveness, including the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness, the Accra Agenda for Action as well as knowledge of the Global Programme Partnerships (GPPs).

b) Common Technical Knowledge Required (for the job group)

              Knowledge of theories and practices in:

Child and Maternal Nutrition and Health
Nutrition and Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
Public Health and Nutrition
Educational Interventions in Health and Nutrition Care
Environmental Health and Nutrition
Knowledge Management
Computer software application, including word processing, spreadsheet and corporate

   software packages

Gender equality and diversity awareness

General knowledge of:

Methodology of programme/project management
Programmatic goals, visions, positions, policies and strategies in Health & Nutrition
Knowledge of global health and nutrition issues, specifically relating to children and women,

   and the current trends, methods and approaches.

Policies and strategy to address national and global health and nutrition issues, particularly

   relating to conflicts, natural disasters, and recovery.

Emergency programme policies, goals, strategies and approaches.

c) Technical Knowledge to be Acquired/Enhanced (for the Job) [ ]

Knowledge of the latest developments and technology in related fields.
Knowledge of local conditions and country legislation relevant to UNICEF programmes
UN policies and strategy to address international humanitarian issues and the responses.
UN common approaches to programmatic issues and UNICEF positions
UN security operations and guidelines.
UNICEF strategic framework for partnerships and collaborative relationships.