UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, the right to a Chance

How can you make a difference?

The 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 so all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, nutrition, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It 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. UNICEF has been in Sudan since 1952 and continues with a presence in 12 of Sudan’s 18 states.
Sudan is among the top four countries in the world with the highest prevalence of global acute malnutrition (GAM), with an estimated 13.6 percent, with risk of famine extended to multiple areas mainly across Darfur and Kordofan regions. The nutrition outlook is expected to deteriorate in 2026 due to ongoing conflict, food security decline, compromised health and WASH services, and prolonged displacement. The estimated people in need for nutrition services is projected to rise further with the deteriorating nutrition determinants. Currently, the nutrition cluster estimate that 3.6 million children under five will suffer from acute malnutrition during 2026, out of which, 825,000 children will have severe acute malnutrition which put them at immediate risk of death if not treated on timely manner. Micronutrient malnutrition is prevalent, with 48 per cent of under-five children experiencing anemia due to iron deficiency.

Most of Infant and Young Child Feeding practices in Sudan are not optimal and that contributes to increased risks of morbidity and mortality among young children and put them at higher risk of chronic negative consequences in their future such as stunting and reduced productivity and cognitive capabilities. The S3M survey of 2018 has shown situation of poor infant and young child feeding practices especially in the complementary feeding indicators. Minimum dietary diversity among under-fives is low at 25 per cent, and only 63 percent of under two children receive the age-appropriate meal frequency. While breastfeeding is common practice in Sudan, the level of exclusive breastfeeding stand at 62 percent, with only 73% of age-appropriate continued breastfeeding. Micronutrient malnutrition is prevalent, with 48 per cent of under-five children experiencing anemia due to iron deficiency.

Under the guidance of the Nutrition Specialist, the Nutrition Officer will support the planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of nutrition programmes, strengthen nutrition monitoring systems, ensure compliance with technical protocols, and provide emergency nutrition support through assessments, preparedness activities, and timely response interventions for vulnerable populations, including IDPs and refugees.

Summary of Key Functions and Accountabilities

1. Support to programme development and planning

Conduct and update the situation analysis for the nutrition programme for the development, design, and management of nutrition related programmes/projects. Research and report on development trends (e.g. political social, economic, nutrition, health) for higher management use to enhance programme management, efficiency and delivery of results.
Contribute to the development and establishment of nutrition programme goals, objectives, strategies, and results-based planning, through analysis of nutrition needs and areas for intervention, and submission of recommendations for priority and goal setting.
Provide technical and operational support throughout all stages of programming processes by executing and administering a variety of technical programme transactions; preparing materials and documentation, and complying with organizational processes and management systems, to support programme planning, results-based planning, and monitoring and evaluation of results.
Prepare required documentation and materials to facilitate the programme review and approval process.

2. Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results.

Work closely and collaboratively with colleagues and partners to discuss operational and implementation issues for nutrition programme. Provide solutions, recommendations and/or alert appropriate officials and stakeholders for higher-level intervention and/or decision-making. Keep record of reports and assessments for easy reference and/or to capture and institutionalize lessons learned.
Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, nutrition programme reviews and annual reviews with the government and other counterparts to assess programmes/projects and to report on required action and interventions at the higher level of programme management.
Monitor and report on the use of sectoral programme resources (financial, administrative and other assets), verifying compliance with approved allocation, goals, organizational rules, regulations/procedures, donor commitments, standards of accountability, and integrity. Report on issues identified to ensure timely resolution by management and stakeholders. Follow up on unresolved issues to ensure resolution.
Prepare regular and mandated sectoral programme/project reports for management, donors, and partners to keep them informed of programme progress.

3. Technical and operational support to programme implementation

Conduct regular programme field visits and surveys, and exchange information with partners and stakeholders to assess progress and provide technical support. Take appropriate action to resolve issues and/or refer to relevant officials for resolution. Report on 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 UNICEF policies, strategies, processes, and best practices on nutrition-related issues to support programme implementation, operations, and delivery of results

4. Networking and partnership building

Build and sustain effective close working partnerships with nutrition sector government counterparts and national stakeholders through active sharing of information and knowledge to facilitate programme implementation and build capacity of stakeholders to achieve programme goals on maternal and child rights as well as social justice and equity.
Draft communication and information materials for CO programme advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnership/alliances and support fund raising for nutrition programmes.
Research information on potential donors and prepare resource mobilization materials and briefs for fund raising and partnership development purposes.

5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

Identify, capture, synthesize, and share lessons learned for knowledge development and to build the capacity of stakeholders.
Apply innovative approaches and promote good practices to support the implementation and delivery of concrete and sustainable programme results.
Participate as a resource.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: Download File TOR_Nutrition Officer Level 2_West Area.pdf

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Minimum requirements

Education: Bachelor or equivalent (First Level University Degree) in nutrition and dietetics, public health, epidemiology, health administration, global health, health sciences, health policy, health management, maternal and child health, international development, biostatistics, policy and/or management, or another health-related science field and any other related fields is required.
Work Experience: At least 2 years of relevant work experience in nutrition, health, health and nutrition, emergency nutrition, maternal and child health, program management, monitoring and evaluation, partnership development, capacity building, humanitarian response, health systems strengthening, data analysis and any other related fields are required.
Skills: Demonstrated expertise in situation analysis, programme development, and programme management, combined with strong competencies in monitoring and evaluation, technical support, and partnership building to ensure effective and sustainable programme delivery are required.
Language Requirements: English and Arabic fluency are required.

Desirables

Knowledge of another official UN language (Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.
Experience working with international organizations, leading humanitarian response efforts, and supporting refugee assistance programmes in complex and emergency settings is an asset.
Experience in nutritional epidemiology, complemented by proven expertise in resource mobilization and health strengthening initiatives to improve public health outcomes are desired.
Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF's Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships
(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
(3) Drive to achieve results for impact
(4) Innovates and embraces change
(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity
(6) Thinks and acts strategically
(7) Works collaboratively with others

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments are conditional on the selected candidates willingness to comply with current or future vaccination requirements, should UNICEF mandate it for personnel. Failure to comply with such requirements, where applicable and without a duly approved medical exemption from the relevant UN authority, will result in the cancellation of the selection or may lead to other administrative measures, including separation from service.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants' bank account information.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF's Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

Visa residence requirements: i.e. UNICEF shall not facilitate the issuance of a visa and working authorization for candidates under consideration for positions at the national officer and general service category.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.

Nutrition Officer (NO-2), Temporary Position (364 days), #00138539, Nyala, Sudan, ESAR