Health and Nutrition Officer (Information & Data) Full-Time

Mission and objectives

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favouritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education, hygiene/sanitation and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfil their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

Context

UNICEF is a leading humanitarian and development agency working globally for the rights of every child. Child rights begin with safe shelter, nutrition, protection from disaster and conflict and traverse the life cycle: pre-natal care for healthy births, clean water and sanitation, health care and education. UNICEF has spent nearly 70 years working to improve the lives of children and their families. Working with and for children through adolescence and into adulthood requires a global presence whose goal is to produce results and monitor their effects. UNICEF also lobbies and partners with leaders, thinkers, and policy makers to help all children realize their rights—especially the most disadvantaged. This UNV assignment is part of UNICEF’s programme in Mozambique.

Task description

Under the delegated authority and supervision of the Information Officer and the Chief of Child Health and Nutrition or their designated representatives, the UNV Health and Nutrition Officer (Information & Data will work on linkages across policies and interventions to ensure children’s survival and thriving, performing the following tasks:

1. Support to programme/project development and planning:

• Participate in the preparation of plans and prioritization of the geographical areas most in need and in the distribution of supplies, support appropriate collection of beneficiaries’ data, liaise with health authorities to obtain the appropriate distribution plan.
• Contribute to the design and preparation of CHN programme information management, including digitalization of Reach Every child/Reach Every District (RED/REC), the electronic Saude Materna e Infantil system, upSCALE, evidence-based planning data analysis system and others as identified.
• Participate in the preparation of contingency and emergency response plans, including the emergency preparedness platform (EPP).
• Participation in surveys and/or regular and rapid assessments to identify needs in an emergency, post-emergency recovery.

2. Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results:

• Participate in planning, monitoring of implementation, support the collection and compilation of regular programming and emergency data (Integrated Mobile Brigades-Health-Nutrition-HIV, outbreak response, etc).
• Support monitoring and quality assurance of implemented activities.
• Support the draft of monthly situation report, compilation of 5W (weekly and monthly) data for health and nutrition.
• Support the monitoring of planned implementation of Mobile brigades providing technical support for the IPs in the utilization of reporting tools.
• With support of section Information management officer, assess the quality of SISMA-reported data that is related to specific health and nutrition indicators (i.e., SAM and MAM admissions, neonatal deaths, etc), triangulate information reported and inform stakeholders for corrective measures on identified misreports.

3. Technical and operational support to programme implementation:

• Support program officers and government staff with the use of new technology advance tool for reports as required through the development of training package and user guides.
• Support office colleagues on provision of data and information related to ongoing health and nutrition programmes.
• Support drafting lessons learn and documentation of HIS.

4. Networking and partnership building:

• Participate in and document meetings with government counterparts and emergency preparedness and response partners.
• Participate in data discussion meetings with SPS/DPS and other implementing partners (IPs).

5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building:

• Apply and introduce innovative approaches for data gathering, data management and data/information with appropriate stakeholder including the design of data collection forms for mobile data collection, ‘real time data’.
• Develop and maintain Interactive visualization interface and Dashboards portraying results of key programme indicators.
• Document the process and develop guidance notes/SOPs on timely entry and update of the databases and dashboards.
• Prepare a manual to maintain the dashboards and visualization tools, especially in areas of convergence.

Act as the focal point for the CHN programme in regular meetings with the Taskforce (ICT and Innovation Teams) 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.

Requirements

Required experience

• 1 years of experience in health statistics, statistics, demography, or any other related field is desired.
• Some experience as M&E, Information management, data management or in another relevant field is desired.
• Experience working with MISAU at the central and provincial levels is considered an asset. Other desired/mandatory required technical knowledge
• Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and SharePoint.
• Knowledge of at least one data analysis software such as SPSS, STATA will be an added advantage.
• Knowledge of Power-BI, Tableau or any other data visualization tool is an asset.
• Proficiency in SQL, understanding of both relational and non-relational databases, familiarity in ETL processes.
• A working knowledge of QGIS or ArcGIS, R is also an advantage.

Area(s) of expertise

• Health, Natural and life sciences, Information technology.

Languages

• English, Level: Working knowledge, Required Portuguese, Level: Fluent, Required.
• Required education level.
• Secondary education.

Competencies and values

Respect: Treats all people with dignity and respect; shows respect and sensitivity towards gender, cultural and religious differences; challenges prejudice, biases and intolerance in the workplace; encourages diversity wherever possible.

Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNICEF; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNCEF 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: 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; 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;

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.

Other information

Living conditions and remarks

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. This position is based in Beira. National UN Volunteers are part of the malicious insurance plan. National UN Volunteers are expected to be culturally sensitive and adjust to the prevailing culture and traditions. 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. The applicable Volunteer Living Allowance 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 – except for UN Community Volunteers), as well as final repatriation (if applicable). You can check full entitlements at https://app.unv.org/calculator. 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.

Inclusivity statement

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

Reasonable accommodation

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for UN Volunteers with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process and afterwards in your assignment.

Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements

In addition to duty station-specific vaccine requirements, appointments are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the appointment. It does not apply to UN Volunteers who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their contracts.