Nutrition Support Officer, Knowledge Management

Background Information - Job-specific

Kenya made significant progress in nutrition outcomes in recent years.

According to the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey, the proportion of children under-five years who are short for their age (stunting) has reduced from 26 percent reported in 2014 to 18 percent in 2022.

However, the improvements are not evenly distributed across the country with large disparities still existing. Stunting ranges from 9% to 37% across counties. On the other hand, wasting has remained a major problem in the arid and semi-arid counties.

According to the 2023 short rains assessment conducted in February 2024, nutrition situation has remained extremely critical in Turkana South (IPC AMN Phase 5) and critical (IPC AMN Phase 4) in Turkana Central, Turkana West, Turkana North, North Horr, Laisamis sub-counties, Mandera and East Pokot in Baringo.

Isiolo, Wajir, Garissa, Samburu, Tana River, Saku subcounty and West Pokot are in Serious phase (IPC AMN Phase 3).

Malnutrition remains prevalent in these counties due to household food insecurity, poor child care practices, poor water quality, high disease burden, sub-optimal coverage of multisectoral high impact intervention and multiple recurrent shocks.

It is against this backdrop that UNICEF Kenya has been supporting the government at national and county level to implement actions to address malnutrition as espoused in the UNICEF Kenya Country Program Survive and Thrive Program Strategy Note.

Nutrition knowledge management is a key priority in the Kenya country program geared towards creating, sharing, and managing nutrition knowledge and information to facilitate decision making, learning and innovation.

To achieve this, UNICEF Kenya country office is seeking the support of a nutrition support officer to assist the nutrition section team to make best use of available data and knowledge.

The officer will support the nutrition section to identify, organise and disseminate quality and effective products for a varied target audience including donors, government, and other stakeholders.

Functional Responsibilities

Under the guidance of the Nutrition Specialist - Information Systems and M&E, the incumbent will provide professional support and effective teamwork for the implementation of nutrition knowledge management.

He/She will be responsible for the development of knowledge and communication products to enhance visibility of UNICEF Kenya Nutrition Program and advance the survival and well-being of children, mothers and all populations in Kenya.

Summary of key functions:

• Contribute towards compiling data and preparing communication products.
• Undertake field visits to monitor programmes and contribute to periodic programme reviews with Implementing Partners.
• Contribute to exchange of nutrition information, experiences, promote knowledge sharing with nutrition stakeholders to improve delivery of nutrition services.
• Keep abreast, research, benchmark, and implement best and cuttingedge practices in knowledge management. Assess and share best practices and knowledge learned.
• Arrange and consolidate information and data from the project staff and relevant national stakeholders for use in communications materials.
• Use graphic design skills to design project publications, fact sheets, leaflets and prepare layouts for documents, reports, and communication materials.
• Deliver creative technical and nontechnical nutritionrelated communication materials.
• Contribute to updating reporting schedules, preparing reporting templates, proofreading, and formatting of reports.
• Provide logistical support on activities such as the organization and reporting of conferences, events etc.
• Apply innovative approaches, digital solutions and promote good practices to support the implementation and delivery of concrete and sustainable communications approaches.
• Analyze and visualize needs and response information through analysis and visualization software such as Power Bi.
• Leverage Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for map production and geographic data management.

Competencies

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others.

For people managers only:

Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles. Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role). Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries. Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements. Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving. Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Nutrition, Public Health, Humanitarian Affairs, Management, and/or Social Science or related field is required.
• University degree or equivalent background in Information Communication Technology, Computer science, Communication is highly desirable.

Experience:

• 2 years' experience in health and nutrition programming, emergency preparedness and response is required.
• Experience in implementing programs in liaison with the Kenya Government or Non-Governmental Organizations is desired.
• Minimum oneyear experience in information and knowledge management is desired.
• Experience working in a multinational/multicultural environment is an added advantage.
• Good understanding of the local context could be an asset.
• Experience in public health or and/or experience in Public Health or Nutrition Sector, Data analysis and incountry work experience and/or familiarity with emergencies is considered an asset.
• Familiarity with UNICEF Kenya Nutrition Program reporting, grant management and reporting system will be an added advantage.
• Prior experience in reporting and communication is considered an asset.
• Proficiency in computer skills including use of relevant software and other applications, e.g., Power BI, mapping software such as ArcGIS, word processing, spread sheets, databases, Internet navigation etc. is an asset.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in written and oral English is required.
• Knowledge of another official UN language or a local language is an asset.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type:
Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA)

Contract level:
Local ICA Specialist-8
Contract duration: 4 months with possibility of extension, subject to satisfactory performance, availability of funds and necessity of services

This is a local position, it is therefore open to Kenyan Nationals
For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:

Additional Information

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.
• This position is stationed in Nairobi, Kenya which is a family duty station.

Terms and Conditions

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. For more information on a retainer contract [here]).
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

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