Nutrition Officer (Local Public Policy), (NO-1), Mexico City, Mexico, #134185, [Temp Appointment: 6 months]

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, nutrition

Mexico is going through a nutritional transition characterized by a double burden of malnutrition; where undernutrition and micronutrients deficiencies coexist with a high prevalence of overweight, obesity and chronic diseases. Malnutrition has a multifactorial origin and is the result of practices and risk factors that can be immediate (at the individual level), intermediate (in the environment of individuals) and basic or structural (at the macro level). In this context, it is necessary to design and implement public policies that create healthy food environments at the different levels of government (national, state, and municipal). Such policies must be based on scientific evidence and international recommendations, and at the same time consider local needs, context, and capacities.       

For more information related to the work of our office in Mexico, please visit our website: UNICEF Mexico, the video of our amazing results in 2023: A good six-year term for children: Un buen sexenio para la niñez or read our Annual Report 2023: Informe Anual 2023 UNICEF México.    

How can you make a difference? 

The Nutrition Officer(Local Public Policy), (NO-1) will work under direct supervision of the Nutrition Officer (Enabling Environments), (NO-2). The Nutrition Officer (Local Public Policy) will support the design and strengthening of state-level governance structures for nutrition, helping to ensure alignment between state regulatory frameworks and national policies. The officer will develop advocacy strategies and will provide technical assistance for the design, implementation, and evaluation of nutrition-related policies at the state and municipal levels. He/she will establish and maintain strategic partnerships with local governments, civil society organizations, and academic institutions. Providing coaching and ongoing follow-up to implementing partners is a central aspect of the officer’s role. The officer is also expected to provide technical support in donor reporting and proposal development. The duration of the post is for 5 months initially (up to March 2026), but with possibility of extension based on performance and funds availability.

Your main responsibilities will be: 

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  ToRs TA Nutrition officer local public policies_VA.pdf

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

Minimum requirements:

At least one year of professional work experience design, implementation, monitoring, and/or evaluation of public policies to improve child and/or adolescent nutrition.

Demonstrated participation in at least one verifiable advocacy activity related to the formulation, implementation, or evaluation of a public policy. This experience must be included in your cover letter.

Desirables:

Experience in building partnerships with governments at the national and/or local level.

Experience in deep understanding of nutrition policies and updated scientific evidence, and also in translating it to advocacy communication.

Experience in nutrition programme/project development in a UN system agency or organization is an asset.

Relevant experience in the Government or in the UN system.

Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergencies.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

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.

We offer a wide range of measures to include a more diverse workforce, such as paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable candidates from indigenous communities are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

UNICEF shall not facilitate the issuance of a visa and working authorization for candidates under consideration for positions at the national officer and general service category.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.

Please note that this is a temporary position expected to last for 6 months. 

THIS IS A NATIONAL POSITION. PLEASE NOTE THAT only CANDIDATES WITH A MEXICAN NATIONALITY WILL BE CONSIDERED.