UNICEFWCARO
TERMES OF REFERENCE
Position Title: Nutrition Advocacy and Resource Mobilization
Duty Station: Dakar
Country: Senegal
Region: WCARO
Job Level: P-4
Application Close: 30th November 2013
Contract Type: Temporary Appointment
Duration: 364 days
1. Purpose of the Position
Nutritional deficiencies are a major public health problem worldwide. It has been estimated that such deficiencies account for 35% of global child deaths and 11% of the total global disease burden. Deficiencies in the micronutrients vitamin A, iron, zinc, and iodine are important contributors to this disease burden. They lead to poor pregnancy outcomes and increase the risk of poor development, morbidity, and mortality among children. Countries in West and Central Africa have some of the world’s highest prevalence estimates of these micronutrient deficiencies.
In the recent years, a lot of efforts have been done to increase the profile of nutrition in the region. UNICEF has supported the regional nutrition working group (RNWG) to support a high level West African Nutrition Advocate; to implement media training.
The advocacy and resource mobilisation are key functions for nutrition especially with the new Lancet series on nutrition released in 2013 and the meeting on Nutrition for Growth held in London in June 2013. These two meetings stressed the needs for predictable and long-term funding is critical to address stunting. In the region, substantial funds have been raised for nutrition but most funding are short-term and for emergency nutrition
In this context it is important to strengthen and sustain the efforts on advocacy and visibility for nutrition. The regional nutrition working group (RNWG) is supporting the Nutrition Advocate but there is very little advocacy and communication expertise in most agencies and they rely on UNICEF. In addition, four countries in West Africa (Burkina Faso and Mali) and East Africa (Ethiopia and Uganda) have received funds for nutrition from the European Commission for 4 years (since October 2011); the initiative is called African Nutrition Security Partnership (ANSP). One key activity in this programme is advocacy and communication to raise the profile of nutrition and leverage other partners and donors.
2. Major Duties/Responsibilities
In order to fulfill our commitments to the RNWG and European Commission, a full time expert on nutrition advocacy and resource mobilization is required to be responsible of the following tasks:
1. Finalise advocacy and visibility plan and activities for the regional nutrition working group (RNWG);
2. Support advocacy events for the RNWG with a special focus on the West African Nutrition Advocate’s activities;
3. Support visibility and advocacy platform of the ANSP joint program between UNICEF & the EU
4. Design advocacy and visibility tools for the Regional office and key country offices (on request)
5. Organize nutrition training of national medias and African Members of Parliament
6. Support activities of the network of journalists for nutrition.
7. Support activities of the network of African members of parliament.
8. Work on the research of innovative sources of financing
9. Lobby and work with international institution as AIF, ACP/EU, IPU
10. Support SUN activities and other advocacy activities on request.
11. As needed, travel to country offices for short assignments on advocacy, visibility and resource mobilisation for nutrition.
3. Key Expected Results
· Advocacy and communication plan for RNWG finalized.
· At least two advocacy and/or communication events organized with the RNWG
· At least two media training done
· At least 1 training for African members of parliament done.
· At least 1 innovating funding stream finalized.
4. Qualifications of Successful Candidate
Education:
· Master’s degree or equivalent on journalism
Work Experience:
· At least eight years of demonstrated experience in the field of journalism, external relations or communications
· Knowledge of current developments in the field of advocacy, resources mobilisation on nutrition
· Strong experience on the work with media, civil society, partners, institutions and donors
· Have strong advocacy experience and be able to move into action quickly
· Good analytical skills and a strong understanding of the political and social context in the West and Central Africa
· Work experience in sub-Saharan Africa
· Work experience with major donors, partners, NGOs, international institutions in the field of nutrition
· Computer skills, including internet navigation and various office applications.
5. Competencies of Successful Candidate
Critical Competencies:
· Ability to express clearly and concisely ideas and concepts in written and oral form.
· Ability to work in a multicultural environment.
· Proven skills in report writing.
Languages:
Fluency in French and English is required. Please note that working knowledge of English is required for all assignments.
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UNICEF West and Central Africa Country Offices are located in the following countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde (UN Joint Office), Central African Republic, Chad, DR Congo, Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Sao tome & Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo.
If you are qualified and interested in the position and meet the requirements, please forward your application with updated curriculum vitae and UN Personal History Form (available at www.unicef.org/employ)), with “the title of the position as the subject’’, via email to and by 30 November 2013.
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organization.
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