Child Nutrition & Development Specialist

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to protect and promote the rights of every child. For more than 70 years, UNICEF has partnered with governments, communities, and development partners to help children survive, thrive, and reach their full potential. In Pakistan, UNICEF collaborates with federal and provincial governments, donors, NGOs, civil society organizations, and the private sector to improve the lives of children and women.

The organization is guided by its commitment to child rights, equity, and inclusion. UNICEF prioritizes the most disadvantaged and vulnerable children, ensuring they have equal opportunities to survive, develop, and succeed. Evidence shows that investing in the health, nutrition, education, and protection of vulnerable populations not only improves individual outcomes but also contributes to sustainable national development.

The Child Nutrition and Development Programme aims to ensure that by 2027, children, adolescents, and women in Pakistan, particularly the most vulnerable, have access to quality, equitable, gender-responsive, and sustainable nutrition services and adopt healthy nutrition and care practices. This contributes to optimal growth, development, and the reduction of all forms of malnutrition.

The programme focuses on three strategic areas:

1. Governance, Multisectoral Coordination, and Stronger Systems for Nutrition and Early Childhood Development (ECD): Strengthening policies, governance structures, coordination mechanisms, and programme implementation to address malnutrition and developmental challenges.

2. Early Childhood Nutrition: Improving nutrition services, practices, and dietary outcomes for children aged 0-5 years, including in humanitarian settings, to support survival, growth, and development.

2. Middle Childhood, Adolescent, and Maternal Nutrition: Enhancing nutrition services, interventions, and healthy practices for school-age children, adolescents, and mothers.

The Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination (MoNHSR&C) is a key UNICEF partner under the Multi-Year Work Plan (MYWP). UNICEF supports the Ministry in the design, implementation, and coordination of nutrition interventions within the health system, covering early childhood, adolescent, and maternal nutrition. This support was previously provided through an NOC-level consultant. Following a programme and management review, it was agreed that support would continue through the United Nations Volunteer (UNV) mechanism as a more cost-effective approach until the government is able to fully transition and assume ownership of these initiatives.

❖ The UNV will be responsible for the following to support MoNHSR&C:

1. Management and Coordination Support

Provide technical and coordination support to the Director General Health and Director Nutrition on child nutrition and development. Facilitate multisectoral collaboration with relevant partners and support implementation of nutrition interventions in both development and humanitarian contexts. Contribute to the preparation of technical briefs and support the development and implementation of national policies, strategies, and guidelines related to maternal, adolescent, infant, and young child nutrition (MAIYCN), including oversight of nutrition components of the Multisectoral National Nutrition Action Plan and BMS legislation monitoring.

2. Program Development, Planning, and Monitoring

Support cross-sectoral coordination with government counterparts and development partners for effective programme implementation. Assist collaboration with MoPDSI and UNICEF on ECD initiatives aligned with the Nurturing Care Framework. Facilitate integration and scale-up of wasting treatment within UHC services and support implementation of federal SBC activities under MAIYCN. Contribute to the rollout and strengthening of DHIS-2 health and nutrition modules and support implementation of Vitamin A Supplementation strategies.

3. Advocacy, Networking, and Partnership Building

Strengthen partnerships with BISP and relevant stakeholders to improve delivery of nutrition services. Support organization of Technical Advisory Group meetings and national nutrition events. Build and maintain collaborative relationships with ECD and nutrition partners at national and provincial levels and facilitate coordination of ECD and MAIYCN activities. Provide technical input to knowledge-sharing initiatives and perform additional duties as assigned to support child survival and nutrition Programmes.

4. Support Information and Knowledge Management

Support implementation and monitoring of the DHIS-2 nutrition module. Coordinate monthly nutrition data collection and reporting with provinces, the Ministry, and UNICEF. Contribute to knowledge management activities, including documentation, research, and evidence generation.

Comments

Perform any additional tasks assigned by the supervisor. The consultant will report physically to the UNICEF office two days per week or as required.