National Consultancy: Ulimi ndi Chilengwedwe m’Malawi (UCHI) Regional Programme Coordinator (Open to Malawian Nationals Only)

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential. 

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. 

And we never give up. 

For every child, Safety…

BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION

UNICEF Malawi with funding from the European Union will be implementing The Ulimi ndi Chilengedwe m’Malawi (UCHI) Project, a component of the larger UCHI Programme, an EU-funded initiative that aims to contribute to sustainable inclusive economic growth and transformation of food systems in Malawi. The project is built on the premise that healthier diets for young children, adolescents, and pregnant and breastfeeding mothers are at the heart of achieving nutrition security. The project will work to enhance access to diversified, nutrient-dense foods coupled with contextual, innovative, and evidence-based Social Behaviour Change (SBC) initiatives to promote the production of nutrient-dense foods, optimal feeding practices, parenting, healthy diets, adequate hygiene practices and consumption patterns, and timely screening and referral of cases of acute malnutrition.   The UCHI Programme will be implemented over a five-year period from September 2024 to August 2029, in 10 districts of Chitipa, Karonga, Nkhata Bay, Mzimba, Nkhotakota, Salima, Kasungu, Thyolo, Mulanje and Chiradzulu.

How can you make a difference? 

• Take the responsibility for the day-to-day management of the programme in the respective programme districts and coordination of planning, implementation supervision of activities to ensure efficient provision of both administrative and technical support services at district level.
• Initiate, coordinate and supervise scheduled capacity development and support activities for frontline workers, care groups and Farmer Organizations (FOs)/ Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in respective project district.
• Identify catchment areas per district in which women of childbearing age, adolescents, and infant and young children (with emphasis on children under 2 years old) and other vulnerable household members are at risk of malnutrition to prioritize their targeting under UCHI.
• Provide guidance and training on a regular basis to Nutrition and Agriculture Extension Workers, particularly fostering exchange of knowledge and integration of activities with the UCHI Agriculture Commercialization component.
• Monitor the provision of training at Care group level, facilitating the establishment of demonstration plots, organizing nutrition field days, cooking demonstrations, community-based learning activities that motivate behaviour change at household level.
• Cascade training materials adapted to the district for front line workers or communities in close collaboration with UCHI Agricultural Commercialization partners at District level.
• Coordinate efforts with DNCC, Health, Agriculture, and other relevant Government counterparts at district level to elaborate joint work plans and joint activities in the UCHI communities.
• Work in collaboration with UNDP and other relevant partners at district level in order to foster positive synergies within UCHI Programme components.
• Support in the day-to-day supervision of the Regional Monitoring and Evaluation Associate deployed in his /her respective Regional Office.
• Produce monthly, quarterly, and annual reports to the UCHI Nutrition Programme Implementation Unit (PIU).

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… 

Academic qualification:

• A university degree in one of the following fields is required: nutrition, public health, nutritional epidemiology, global/international health, food science and nutrition, agrifood systems, health/nutrition research, policy and/or management, health sciences, nutritional epidemiology, or another health-related science field.

Work experience:

• A minimum of five years of professional experience in one or more of the following areas is required: nutrition, public health, nutrition planning and management, food science and technology, or food systems for children.
• Experience in nutrition programme/project implementation is required.
• Experience working with national and sub-national nutrition coordination and governance structures is a requirement.
• Experience in health/nutrition programme/food systems/project development within a UN system agency is an asset.

Technical knowledge and skills:

• Knowledge of Malawi’s nutrition landscape is required.
• Background and/or familiarity with emergency is considered as an asset.
• Technical skills in programme planning, support and implementation are required.
• Proven networking and partnership-building skills are an asset.
• Excellent report writing skills

Language:

• Fluency in English and a local language both strong verbal and written skills, are essential.

Please refer to the attached full Terms of Reference  Terms of Reference_ Regional Programme Coordinator.pdf for more details on the consultancy and requirements.

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).   

To view our competency framework, please visit  here.   

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors 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 selection process and afterwards in your assignment. 

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check. 

HOW TO APPLY…

Interested Individual Consultant should provide the following:

1. Curriculum Vitae
2. Brief technical proposal (no longer than five pages) demonstrating the consultant’s understanding of the assignment and approach/methodology to the assignment.
3. Financial proposal including a breakdown of their all-inclusive fees (including professional fees, travel, living cost and other costs). Complete the attached form. ANNEX I – Financial Proposal.xlsx
4. References details

Remarks:  

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. 

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates 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 assignment. It does not apply to consultants 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 consultancy contracts.