Agency-UNDP
Title-NUNV Knowledge Management Office (Nutrition) - UNICEF
Job-ID35700
Practice Area - Job Family Basic Social Service
Vacancy End Date-15/03/2021(Midnight New York, USA)
Duty Station-New Delhi, India
Education & Work Experience-G-Bachelor's Level Degree - 2 year(s) experience
Languages:Required:English, Hindi
Posting Type-External
Bureau-United Nations Volunteers
Contract Duration-One year with possibility of extension.

Background
The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is the UN organization that promotes volunteerism to support peace and development worldwide. Volunteerism can transform the pace and nature of development and it benefits both society at large and the individual volunteer. UNV contributes to peace and development by advocating for volunteerism globally, encouraging partners to integrate volunteerism into development programming, and mobilizing volunteers.

In most cultures, volunteerism is deeply embedded in long-established, ancient traditions of sharing and support within the communities. In this context, UN Volunteers take part in various forms of volunteerism and play a role in development and peace together with co-workers, host agencies and local communities.

In all assignments, UN Volunteers promote volunteerism through their action and conduct. Engaging in volunteer activity can effectively and positively enrich their understanding of local and social realities, as well as create a bridge between themselves and the people in their host community. This will make the time they spend as UN Volunteers even more rewarding and productive.

Organizational context and brief project description

UNICEF India and under the broader UN Sustainable Development Framework is committed in its continued support to the Government in the development of Indian children. Our goal is to enable every child born in India to have the best start in life, to thrive and to develop to her or his full potential.

UNICEF has been present in India for 70 years. UNICEFs key strength lies in our evidence-based technical expertise that informs policy action and implementation, a long with building the capacity of partners. With some 450 staff members working in 17 states that together cover 90 per cent of India’s child population - largest field presence among UN agencies – we are well positioned to reach the country’s most vulnerable children.

Since the beginning of the 2018-22 country programme, the Indian nutrition programmatic environment in India and UNICEF response have changed dramatically.  The launch of POSHAN Abhiyaan (Nutrition Mission) on 8th March 2018 refocused the agenda on key nutrition component in support of the Mission.  The subsequent launch of POSHAN Abhiyaan Jan Andolan (people’s movement for nutrition) strengthened the broad groundswell for nutrition.  UNICEF provided direction for system strengthening of programming as the approach to focus efforts on improving the coverage, continuity, intensity and quality of the key programme areas (growth monitoring and promotion, IYCF, management of acute malnutrition and reduction of anemia).

The UNV volunteer would be tasked to support the nutrition program through support to the chief of nutrition and output managers on a range of activities including documentation of activities and best practices, analyses, data management and entry and knowledge management/reporting, including through social media and for different audiences including UNICEF, UN, development partners, Government and the public at large.

Living Conditions

India is one of the oldest civilizations in the world with a kaleidoscopic variety and rich cultural heritage. It has achieved all-round socio-economic progress since Independence. As the 7th largest country in the world, India stands apart from the rest of Asia, marked off as it is by mountains and the sea, which give the country a distinct geographical entity.

New Delhi is the national capital of India and is situated in the central part of India.  The city is home to thousands of businesses and international companies and embassies, making it very cosmopolitan in nature, and culturally rich.

Conditions of Service for national UN Volunteers

Note on novel coronavirus – COVID-19.

The rapidly changing nature of novel coronavirus COVID-19 has placed significant and increasing restrictions on the freedom of movement of people, even within countries. Such restrictions may affect the ability of UN Volunteers to begin their assignments at their assigned duty station or limit the ability to enter UN premises. Thus, UNV cannot guarantee assignments will proceed as normal.

Candidates for UN Volunteer assignments requiring travel to the duty station may be exceptionally granted during this period alternative working arrangements to work from their place of recruitment until restrictions are lifted. Candidates for UN Volunteer assignments may also need to begin their assignments remotely in cases where access to UN premises is restricted. These are decisions at the discretion of the host entity. Candidates proceeding to interview are recommended to discuss travel requirements, any restrictions, and possible alternative arrangements with the host entity. If selected, candidates should carefully consider the circumstances before accepting UNV’s offer.

The contract lasts for the period indicated above with possibility of extensions subject to availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectation of renewal of the assignment.

Travel to duty station (if applicable) and a Settling-In-Grant will be provided in the event the duty station is not within commuting distance from the place of recruitment. The Volunteer Living Allowance of Rs. 42,473.67 (Rupees Forty Two Thousand Four Hundred Seventy Three and Paise Sixty Seven) is provided monthly to cover housing, utilities and normal cost of living expenses. Life, health and permanent disability insurance are included (health insurance for up to 3 dependents), as well as final repatriation (if applicable) and resettlement allowance for satisfactory service.

Furthermore, in non-family duty stations that belong to hardship categories D or E, as classified by the ICSC, a Well-Being Differential (WBD) will be provided monthly.

Duties and Responsibilities
Under the overall guidance Chief of Nutrition and/or Nutrition Specialists, the UNV will provide technical, operational and administrative assistance throughout the programming process for the nutrition programmes/projects within the Country Programme. The UNV will deliver on technical and administrative programme tasks to facilitate programme development, implementation, programme progress monitoring, evaluation, and reporting of results. A strong focus will be on knowledge management, reporting, and dissemination through different channels.

1. Support to programme planning

Provide support by executing and administering a variety of technical programme transactions; preparing materials and documentations, and complying with organizational processes and management systems, to support programme planning, results-based planning (RBM), and monitoring and evaluation of results.
Prepare required documentations and materials to facilitate the programme review and approval process.
Assist with documenting including of meetings
2. Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results

Work closely and collaboratively with colleagues and partners to discuss operational and implementation issues. Keep record of reports and assessments for easy reference and/or to capture and institutionalize lessons learned.
Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, 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.
Prepare regular and mandated sectoral programme/project reports for management, donors and partners to keep them informed of programme progress..
3. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

Support the development, and implementation of a nutrition section knowledge management, and information sharing strategy and action plan
Support strategizing, planning and reputing on strategic advocacy initiatives.
Identify, capture, synthesize, and share lessons learned for knowledge development and to build the capacity of stakeholders.
Support documentation of innovative approaches and good practices for implementation and delivery of concrete and sustainable programme results.
Research, benchmark and report on best and cutting-edge practices for development planning of knowledge products and systems.
Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day);
Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.  
Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers;
Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.
Results/expected outputs

As an active team member of Nutrition Section, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to UNICEF India and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including:

Regular internal communication produced as per office protocols and schedule, including situation reports, monitoring indicators and presentations
Donor reports delivered on time and at solid quality standards, as per agreed reporting schedules and format with UNICEF’s donors
Regular coordination meetings attended, drafting meeting minutes and support with coordination of follow up actions agreed during the meetings
Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment
A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed.
 

Competencies
Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNICEF ; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNICEF procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented;

Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNICEF in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority;

Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues;

Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment.

Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities;

Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;

Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary;

Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNICEF’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values. 

Required Skills and Experience
Bachelor’s degree in a relevant area, e.g. Public Health, Social Sciences or Nutrition;

At least 2 years of professional work experience at the national and/or international level in international development, or in project management or in communication, or other relevant programmes; experience with development organizations is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization;

At least 2 years of professional experience preferred in areas of advocacy, social mobilization, communication, program planning and public advocacy and/or related areas in development organisations.

Experience and competency in data analysis and reporting required

Excellent oral and written English skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills;

Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing;

Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for developmen