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 realize their potential.

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

And we never give up.

For every child, hope.

Despite the progress made by Niger, the health and nutritional situation remains worrying. In 2021, the infant mortality rate and infant-juvenile mortality rate were respectively 45.6 and 77.5 per 1,000 live births. Coverage of three-dose vaccination against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis in children under one year old was 81% in 2020. Children die mainly from problems at birth, malaria, diarrheal diseases and respiratory infections. In 2020, the HIV/AIDS prevalence rate was 0.2% among people aged 15 to 49, while the mother-to-child transmission rate of HIV was 27%.

In 2021, the prevalence of stunting among children aged under 5 was 43.5% while that of wasting stood at 12.5%. About 72% of children under 5 years old and 59% of women of childbearing age suffer from anemia and 76% of children aged 6 to 23 months do not benefit from the five daily food groups. Only 28% are exclusively breastfed for up to six months.

In the Agadez region, the health coverage rate stands at 66% and the rate of deliveries assisted by qualified health personnel at 51.6% in 2023 (DRSP Agadez statistics). According to the SMART 2022 survey, the region records a prevalence rate of acute malnutrition of 11.5% and only 9.70% of children aged 0 to 5 months are exclusively breastfed (DRSP Agadez statistics). Only 49.6% of the population has access to basic drinking water services in 2020 (source PDR Agadez). In addition, significant disparities in access to health and nutrition services are observed to the disadvantage of rural/nomadic areas and thousands of people on the move (migrants, refugees and asylum seekers) who are experiencing a migration crisis, mainly in urban areas and at the borders with Algeria and Libya. 

This situation is attributable to the lack of health centers, their inequitable geographical distribution and their poor provision of equipment, qualified personnel, inadequate treatment of cases of malnutrition and diseases, insufficient access to nutritious food and 

water and sanitation, closely spaced pregnancies, difficulties associated with governance of the sector, recurring lack of national investment and parents’ ignorance of good health and nutrition practices, growing insecurity and poverty widespread.

In accordance with Niger’s national priorities, UNICEF, in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Bank (WB), the United Nations Population Fund and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the World Food Program, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), will contribute to the establishment of universal health coverage as well as the reduction of rates of chronic and acute malnutrition.

The program will support the review of budgetary mechanisms to promote health and nutrition programs for children and adolescents; the fight and prevention against malnutrition and the improvement of the rate of exclusive breastfeeding of children aged less than 6 months; capacity building in strategic planning, intersectoral coordination and supervision and strengthening of intersectoral coordination (nutrition-health-water-sanitation)    

UNICEF will contribute to strengthening national capacities in preparation for and response to health and nutritional emergencies through the improvement of surveillance and alert systems, and management of security stocks.

It is in this context that UNICEF is seeking to recruit a Health and Nutrition Officer for the Agadez region.

How can you make a difference?

Under the hierarchical supervision of the Agadez Zone Office Head and the technical responsibility of the Health and Nutrition Section Heads, the Health and Nutrition Officer will have the main responsibilities of providing professional technical, operational and administrative assistance. throughout the programming process of Health and Nutrition programs/projects within the country program, from development planning to the delivery of results in the Agadez region.

Specifically, he/she is responsible for:

• Contribute to the preparation and updating of situation analyzes in the health and nutrition sector(s) to ensure the timely availability of comprehensive and up-to-date data on maternal health , neonatal and child as well as maternal and child nutrition;
• Participate in strategic discussions on planning health and nutrition programs/projects;
• Participate in monitoring and evaluation processes, program reviews and annual reviews with government representatives and other stakeholders to assess progress and determine measures/interventions required to achieve better results;
• Ensure active monitoring of programs/projects through field visits, surveys and/or exchange of information with partners/stakeholders to assess progress made, identify bottlenecks and potential problems and take action timely decisions to resolve problems;
• Support government counterparts in improving and scaling maternal, newborn and child health interventions through system strengthening approaches at health institution and community levels;
• Support government counterparts in scaling up the prevention of different forms of malnutrition through multi-system and community-based approaches focused on achieving results, including strengthening coordination, information and communication systems. supply chain of all health and nutrition inputs;
• Support government counterparts in improving the management of severe acute malnutrition through an approach focused on strengthening the health system either in emergency or development programs;
• Prepare program/project reports for management, donors and partners to keep them informed of program developments;
• Provide technical advice and operational support to government interlocutors, NGO partners, UN system partners and other country office partners/donors on the interpretation, application and understanding of policies, strategies, processes of UNICEF and good practices and approaches in nutrition and identify avenues for complementarity and joint programming with UN agencies concerned with health and nutrition, notably WHO, WFP, FAO and other partners technical and financial;
• Participate in program development on crisis preparedness initiatives and planning of emergency contingency plans and/or respond to emergency situations in the country or indicated areas;
• Create and maintain effective and close partnerships with public sector interlocutors, national stakeholders and partners/donors/universities working in the areas of health and nutrition;
• Stay informed, research, compare and implement best practices in nutrition and information systems;
• Organize and implement capacity building initiatives to improve the skills of stakeholders.

As an advocate for each child, you will need to have…

• Having at least a bachelor’s degree in nutrition, public health, nutritional epidemiology, global/international health and nutrition, health/nutrition research, public policy and/or management, or health-related scientific discipline is required.

•   Have at least two (2) years of professional experience in the field of nutrition, public health, research or planning and management in relevant areas of maternal and child nutrition.

•   Proven experience in implementing and monitoring maternal, newborn and child health interventions in health institutions and at the community level.

•   Proven experience in preventing malnutrition through community and multi-system approaches to improving the nutrition of children and women, including in nutritional emergencies

•    Proven experience in the management of severe acute malnutrition, including supply chain, CMAM Surge and other emergency approaches.

•   Relevant experience in developing/managing health/nutrition programs/projects in any UN system agency or organization is an asset.

• Fluency in French and a good knowledge of English are required. Knowledge of a local language is an asset.

For each child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values ​​of Caring, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Responsibility and Sustainability (CRITAS) reinforce everything we do and how we do it. Discover our charter of values ​​in the link: https://uni.cf/UNICEFValues

Basic skills:

• Establish and maintain partnerships (1);
• Cultivate self-awareness and demonstrate a sense of ethics (1);
• Focus on achieving tangible results (1)
• Innovate and embrace change (1);
• Managing ambiguity and complexity (1);
• Think and act strategically (1);
• Work collaboratively with others (1).

During the recruitment process, we assess candidates according to the competency framework. Please familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels in the link: competency framework here .

UNICEF is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion among its staff and encourages all candidates regardless of gender, nationality, religion and ethnicity, including people living with disabilities, to apply to be part of the organization.

We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodations for people living with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

UNICEF maintains a zero-tolerance policy for behavior inconsistent with the goals 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 protection principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore be subject to rigorous reference and background checks. The background check will include verification of academic credentials and employment history. Selected applicants may be required to provide additional information in order to complete a background check.

Remarks :

UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is essential to achieving the best outcomes for children. For this position, eligible and qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply.

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

Appointments within UNICEF are subject to medical clearance.

Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID). Government employees who are considered for positions with UNICEF are required to resign from their government before accepting an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw a position offer, without compensation, if visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or if the necessary conditions for vaccination are not met within a reasonable time for any reason whether it be.