[Hiring] Maternal Nutrition Consultant @AGORA

Role Description

The overall purpose of the consultancy is to provide continuous technical and coordination support to strengthen maternal nutrition and micronutrient interventions in the Philippines. The consultancy forms part of UNICEF’s support to the Department of Health and the National Nutrition Council to strengthen maternal health and nutrition, as well as food fortification efforts, through a more coordinated, coherent, and accelerated approach.

• The Maternal Health and Nutrition Acceleration Plan provides an important framework for accelerating priority interventions, strengthening implementation, and improving coordination across maternal health and nutrition programs.
• There is a need to strengthen and update the strategic direction for food fortification as a distinct intervention area.
• The development of a Food Fortification Strategy will provide a dedicated framework for:
  • Setting priorities
  • Strengthening coordination
  • Addressing implementation and regulatory gaps
  • Improving monitoring and quality assurance
  • Sustaining and scaling food fortification interventions
• The Food Fortification Strategy will be aligned with relevant priorities under the Maternal Health and Nutrition Acceleration Plan, particularly by ensuring that food fortification contributes to improving the intake of essential micronutrients, including iron, folic acid, and iodine, among populations at risk of deficiencies, including pregnant women.

If you would like to know more about this consultancy, please review the complete Terms of Reference here: TMC0007315 External ToR.pdf

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in nutrition, Public Health, Allied Health Sciences, Development Studies

Requirements

• At least 10 years of experience in nutrition, public health, governance, institutional strengthening, programme management, or related fields, including policy coordination and capacity development
• Experience working with national government institutions in the Philippines on health and nutrition programme implementation, policy development, and inter-agency coordination. Experience working with the Department of Health (DOH) and/or the National Nutrition Council (NNC) is an advantage.
• Experience in supporting the implementation, monitoring, and coordination of health and nutrition programmes at subnational levels, including engagement with LGUs and other implementing partners.
• Ability to build effective relationships and coordinate with national government, development partners, and other stakeholders.
• Strong facilitation, interpersonal, and written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong analytical, writing, documentation, and presentation skills, with the ability to synthesize and communicate complex information clearly.
• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and deliver high-quality outputs within agreed timelines.
• Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Proficiency in another official United Nations language is an asset.

Desirables

• Knowledge of the Philippine nutrition policy and programme landscape, particularly the PPAN 2023–2028.
• Knowledge of the Maternal Health and Nutrition Acceleration Plan and its priorities for maternal nutrition and micronutrient interventions.
• Knowledge of food fortification policies, programmes, and implementation in the Philippines.
• Knowledge of the Philippine Salt Iodization Program, including its policy, regulatory, monitoring, and implementation mechanisms.

Benefits

• UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it.
• UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does.
• UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence.
• UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities throughout the recruitment process.

Application Process

• 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)
• UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes.
• All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.