For every child, a champion

In Guinea, the mortality rate of children under 5 years old decreased between 2017 and 2021, from 108.3‰ to 98.72‰ live births, and the neonatal mortality rate from 32.6‰ to 31.1 ‰ live births, despite several epidemics of recurrent diseases. Maternal mortality is high and estimated at 553 per 100,000 live births in 2023. Around 69% of children under 5 received treatment for acute respiratory infections and 55% for diarrhea. Only 47% received the third dose of the diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine. The prevalence of stunting remains high, affecting 25.5% of children (20.8% in Kankan and 29.4% in Labé), while 6.7% and 1.3% suffer respectively from moderate acute malnutrition and severe. The low prevalence of early initiation of breastfeeding (25.8%), exclusive breastfeeding (43.7%), continuous breastfeeding until 23 months (60%), consumption of iodized salt (53%), dietary diversity among children aged 6 to 23 months (11.1%) and the proportion of children aged 6 to 23 months benefiting from a minimum acceptable diet (4. 2%) remain the main causes of the precarious nutritional situation in Guinea. Additionally, vitamin A coverage is 66%.

How can you tell the difference?

The Nutrition and Health Officer, based in Labé or Kankan under the supervision of the Head of Zone Office and in close collaboration with the section head in Conakry, is responsible for the entire nutrition program in the regions under the responsibility of the Zone Office. The Nutrition and Health Officer provides professional technical, operational and administrative assistance throughout the programming process for nutrition/health programs/projects integrated into the Country Program, from planning to development to the achievement of results. In doing so, the incumbent implements a variety of technical and program administrative tasks to facilitate program development, implementation, monitoring of program progress, evaluation and presentation of results.

As a child advocate, you will have the following functions/tasks:

Support for the development and planning of the nutrition program

• Conduct and update situation analysis for program sector(s) for the development, design and management of programs/projects related to nutrition and health. Research and report on development trends (e.g. political, social, economic, nutrition, health) for use by senior management to improve program management, effectiveness and achievement of results.
• Contribute to the development and establishment of objectives, strategies and planning based on the results of the sector program, through the analysis of nutrition needs and areas for integrated intervention in nutrition and health; and submit recommendations to establish priorities and objectives. Provide technical and operational support at all stages of programming processes by executing and administering a variety of technical program transactions; prepare materials and documents, and comply with organizational processes and management systems, to support program planning, results-based planning (RBM), and monitoring and evaluation of results.
• Prepare required documentation and materials to facilitate the program review and approval process.

Program management, monitoring and achievement of results.

• Work closely with colleagues and partners to discuss operational and implementation issues. Provide solutions, recommendations and/or alert appropriate managers and stakeholders for higher-level intervention and/or decision-making.
• Maintain records of reports and evaluations for easy reference and/or to capture and institutionalize lessons learned. Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, program reviews and annual reviews with government and other partners to evaluate programs/projects and report necessary actions and interventions to the higher level of program management.
• Monitor and report the use of sector program resources (financial, administrative and other assets), verifying compliance with approved allocation, objectives, organizational rules, regulations/procedures, donor commitments, standards of accountability and integrity. Report on identified issues to ensure their timely resolution by management and stakeholders. Track unresolved issues to ensure resolution.
• Regularly prepare and commission sector program/project reports for management, donors and partners to keep them informed of program progress.

Technical and operational support for program implementation

• Conduct regular field visits and program surveys, and exchange information with partners and stakeholders to assess progress and provide technical support.
• Take appropriate action to resolve issues and/or refer them to appropriate managers for resolution. Report critical issues, bottlenecks and potential problems for timely action to achieve results.
• Provide technical and operational support to government counterparts, NGO partners, UN system partners, and other country office partners/donors on the application and understanding of UN policies, strategies, processes and best practices. UNICEF on nutrition-related issues to support program implementation, operations and results achievement.

Networking and strengthening partnerships

• Establish and maintain effective and close working partnerships with government nutrition sector counterparts and national stakeholders by actively sharing information and knowledge to facilitate integrated program implementation and build capacity of stakeholders to achieve the program’s objectives on maternal and child rights as well as social justice and equity. Draft communications and information materials for country office program awareness to promote awareness, establish partnerships/alliances and support fund mobilization for nutrition programs.
• Participate in appropriate inter-agency programming meetings and events (UNCT) to collaborate with inter-agency partners and colleagues on UNSDCF operational planning and preparation of integrated nutrition programs/projects, and to integrate and harmonize position and UNICEF strategies with the UNSDCF development and planning process.
• Research information on potential donors and prepare resource mobilization documents and briefing notes for fundraising and partnership development purposes.

Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Identify, capture, synthesize and share lessons learned for knowledge development and to build stakeholder capacity.
• Apply innovative approaches and promote good practices to support the implementation and achievement of concrete, integrated and sustainable program results.
• Research, evaluate and report on best practices and leading practices for planning the development of knowledge products and systems.
• Participate as a resource person in capacity building initiatives to improve the skills of clients and stakeholders.

To become a champion for every child you have:

• – Education: A university degree in one of the following fields is required: nutrition, public health, nutritional epidemiology, primary health care, global/international health and nutrition, health/nutrition research, policy and/or management, health sciences health, nutritional epidemiology, or any other scientific field related to health
• Experience: A minimum of two years of professional experience in a developing country in one or more of the following areas is required: nutrition, public health, nutrition planning and management, or maternal, child and newborn health care/nutrition, immunization. Experience in developing health/nutrition programs/projects within a United Nations system agency or organization is an asset.

• Have mastery of French. Good knowledge of English is an asset

For each child, you demonstrate:

The UNICEF values ​​of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability (CRITA) and the following skills are essential for this position:

• Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (1)
• Works collaboratively with others (1)
• Establishes and maintains partnerships (1)
• Innovate and accept change (1)
• Thinks and acts strategically (1)
• Anxious to obtain convincing results (1)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)

See our skills framework:  here

Click  here  to learn about UNICEF’s values ​​and skills.

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our skills framework and its different levels: skills framework here here

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion among its staff. and encourages all applicants, regardless of gender, nationality, religion and ethnicity, including people with disabilities, to apply to be part of the organization.

We offer a wide range of benefits for our staff including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for people with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

UNICEF maintains a zero-tolerance policy for behavior inconsistent with the goals and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child protection principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore be subject to rigorous reference and background checks. The background check will include verification of academic credentials and employment history. Selected applicants may be required to provide additional information in order to complete a background check.

Remarks :

UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is essential to achieving the best outcomes for children. For this position, female and young candidates are encouraged to apply.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and progressed to the next stage of the selection process.

Appointments to UNICEF are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for international professional positions. Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS -CoV-2 (Covid). Government officials who are considered for employment with UNICEF must normally resign from their government before accepting an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw a job offer, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or vaccination requirements are not met, within a specified period of time. reasonable, for whatever reason.