Child Nutrition & Development Specialist

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) program is seeking a Child Nutrition & Development Specialist to support UNICEF’s efforts in Pakistan. This volunteer role focuses on improving child nutrition and development by providing technical assistance and coordination to government partners. The specialist will facilitate multisectoral collaboration, contribute to the development and implementation of nutrition policies and programs, and engage in advocacy and partnership building. The position requires strong commitment to child rights and the Sustainable Development Goals, aiming to enhance nutrition services for vulnerable children, adolescents, and women across Pakistan.

Key Responsibilities

- Provide technical and coordination support to the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination (MoNHSR&C), including the Director General Health and Director Nutrition, on child nutrition and development initiatives.
- Facilitate multisectoral collaboration among government entities, development partners, and UNICEF to implement nutrition interventions in both development and humanitarian settings.
- Support the preparation of technical briefs and contribute to the development and implementation of national policies, strategies, and guidelines related to maternal, adolescent, infant, and young child nutrition (MAIYCN).
- Oversee nutrition components of the Multisectoral National Nutrition Action Plan and monitor compliance with Breast Milk Substitute (BMS) legislation.
- Assist in cross-sectoral coordination with government counterparts and partners to ensure effective program planning, implementation, and monitoring.
- Collaborate with the Ministry of Planning, Development & Special Initiatives (MoPDSI) and UNICEF on Early Childhood Development (ECD) initiatives aligned with the Nurturing Care Framework.
- Support integration and scale-up of wasting treatment within Universal Health Coverage (UHC) services and federal Social and Behavior Change (SBC) activities under MAIYCN.
- Contribute to the rollout and strengthening of DHIS-2 health and nutrition modules and support Vitamin A Supplementation strategies.
- Strengthen partnerships with the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) and other stakeholders to improve nutrition service delivery.
- Organize Technical Advisory Group meetings and national nutrition events, fostering collaboration among ECD and nutrition partners at national and provincial levels.
- Support knowledge management activities including documentation, research, evidence generation, and monthly nutrition data collection and reporting.
- Perform additional duties as assigned to support child survival and nutrition programs.

Required Qualifications

- Proven experience in child nutrition and development, with technical expertise in nutrition policies and program implementation.
- Strong skills in coordination, multisectoral collaboration, and stakeholder engagement, particularly with government partners.
- Knowledge of monitoring and evaluation processes related to nutrition and health programs.
- Proficiency in English and Urdu.
- Commitment to child rights and sustainable development principles.

Preferred Qualifications and Benefits

- Experience working with government health systems, especially within maternal, adolescent, and child nutrition sectors.
- Familiarity with the use of digital health information systems such as DHIS-2.
- Ability to work effectively in both development and humanitarian contexts.
- This is an international volunteer assignment under the UNV mechanism, offering a unique opportunity to contribute to impactful child nutrition and development programs in Pakistan.
- The position requires physical presence at the UNICEF office in Pakistan two days per week or as needed.

Applications for this role are accepted until November 8, 2026. Candidates are encouraged to review the requirements carefully before applying. This opportunity is ideal for professionals committed to advancing child health and nutrition through collaborative, multisectoral approaches within a leading international organization.