Contract Duration- 12 months

Working arrangement: Office Based with possible travel

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TERMS OF REFERENCE

As per the CPAP 2023-2027, UNICEF has been providing technical support to the GoN of Nepal for the effective implementation of quality nutrition services under the broader framework of Multi-Sector Nutrition Plan (MSNP-III), spanning from 2023 to 2030. The MSNP III has been developed under the leadership of the National Planning Commission (NPC) to build on the achievements of MSNP-II and attain international commitments such as the Sustainable Development Goal 2030 (SDG 2030), the Nutrition for Growth Summit 2021 and the UN Food Systems Summit 2021. MSNP-III was approved by the Government of Nepal (GoN) on February 1, 2024, and has garnered continued support from the European Union (EU), which has committed €23 million for its implementation from 2024 to 2026. This support is structured through direct budgetary contributions and complementary measures facilitated by UNICEF as per the Co-financial agreement (FA) between the GoN and the EU.

The success of the EU’s budgetary support for MSNP-III heavily relies on the critical complementary role to be played by UNICEF. Technical assistance from UNICEF is vital for achieving the key objectives of MSNP-III, particularly in meeting Disbursement Linked Indicators (DLIs) that are linked to fund disbursements. Additionally, UNICEF’s expertise will be essential in scaling up key priority nutrition specific interventions as well as nutrition-friendly governance mechanisms at the local level, enhancing capacities across all relevant sectors, promoting social behaviour change, and strengthening monitoring and evaluation systems, including sectoral information management and quality reporting. Given these requirements, UNICEF’s technical assistance is crucial to sustain past progress and accelerate efforts toward achieving the ambitious goals of MSNP-III. Further, the financing agreement signed between GoN and the EU on October 4, 2024, governs UNICEF technical support to implement MSNP- III as stated in the Country Program Action Plan (2023-2027).

The objective of this consultancy is to provide technical support to the Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives, Federal Affairs and General Administration (MoLMCFAGA) in implementing key aspects of the Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Plan (MSNP) -III. The support focuses on strengthening MSNP governance mechanisms, institutional capacity, and coordination at federal, provincial, and local levels. The consultant will facilitate the alignment of MSNP interventions with government policies, enhance data-driven decision-making, and support evidence-based planning and budgeting.

If you would like to know more about this consultancy, please review the complete Terms of Reference here: MSNP Policy Governance Consultant.pdf

Minimum requirements:

Education: Master’s degree in public health, nutrition, agriculture/livestock, social and behavioral science, public policy, communication studies/communication or any related subjects

Work Experience:

• A minimum of five years of professional experience in one or more of the following areas is required: health, nutrition, governance, social development programme planning, social and behavior change.

• At least three years of progressively responsible experience in health or nutrition programme planning, development, and management at the federal level.

• Demonstrated experience in planning, programming, and implementation of MSNP or comparable multi-sector nutrition programmes at national level, including coordination with government and non-government stakeholders, system strengthening, and local governance engagement.

• Demonstrated experience in policy governance including coordination, facilitation, data analytics, and capacity-building within a multi-sector or multi-stakeholder programme environment.

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills:

• In-depth knowledge of MSNP-III architecture, governance frameworks, and the mandated roles of MoLMCFAGA, NPC, sectoral ministries, provincial governments, and local governments in its implementation.

• Strong coordination, communication, advocacy, and partnership-building skills with a demonstrated commitment to delivering timely, high-quality results.

• Ability to work independently and as a team member with a proactive approach to taking initiative.

• Proficiency in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and database management including ICT.

Language Requirements:

• Excellent Nepali and English writing and verbal communication skills.

Desirables:

• Prior coordination/collaboration experience with multi-stakeholder platforms at national and subnational government levels.

• Previous work experience with UNICEF or UNICEF-supported programmes in multi-sector coordination, EU budget support implementation, and nutrition governance is an advantage.

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 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 reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. 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.

Qualified candidates are invited to submit the following documents via the online recruitment portal, TMS (Talent Management System):

An up-to-date TMS profile and curriculum vitae (CV)
Cover letter
A separate financial proposal (only acceptable in the format of the linked template) Financial proposal template - excel.xlsx

Remarks:

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.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.

MSNP Policy Governance Consultant (Office based with possible travel), 12 months, Kathmandu (Nationals only)