Coordinator, Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) presents its compliments to the Permanent Missions to the United Nations and has the honour to request the nomination of candidates for the position of Coordinator, Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement, at the level of Assistant Secretary-General. The position is based in Geneva.

The Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement, established in 2010, promotes a country led, multi-stakeholder, multi-sectoral approach to ending hunger and malnutrition. 65 countries and four Indian states are members of the SUN Movement. Building on the lessons of the last decade, the SUN Movement Lead Group endorsed the SUN Movement Strategy for 2021-2025 which prioritizes further strengthening country leadership and a focus on supporting systemic change at the country level to prevent and fight all forms of malnutrition.

The Coordinator, SUN Movement will direct the implementation of the SUN Movement Strategy to ensure the Movement catalyzes change and impact at scale. By coordinating members across SUN Countries and supporting SUN Networks, he or she will encourage nutrition champions, at global, national and community levels, to build the momentum garnered to date. The Coordinator will be a leader with strategic vision, impeccable professional integrity and the capability to harness opportunities within challenging country contexts. He or she will build partnerships through trust, will uphold the SUN Movement’s core constitution and its principles of engagement, whilst working between the different stakeholders groups across the global movement. He or she will lead the SUN Movement Secretariat and coordinate the network of SUN Government Focal Points, the Movement’s networks of supporters and the providers of assistance to countries. The appointment is for two years with possible extension. The full Terms of Reference is available here.

To ensure a wide pool of candidates for this position, the Secretariat would welcome any nominations to supplement the Secretary-General’s own search and consultations. The nomination of women candidates is strongly encouraged. Nominations must include a detailed curriculum vitae of the candidate with full contact information (email and telephone). The nominating Government is also requested to certify that it is not aware of any allegations against its nominated candidates that they have been involved, by act or omission, in the commission of any acts that amount to violations of international human rights law or international humanitarian law.

To apply, candidates are invited to submit their applications online on UNICEF’s website https://jobs.unicef.org/en-us/listing/ and search job number 553794. The closing date for applications is 23 September 2022.

We are seeking an individual with:

• A graduate degree or equivalent in economics; business or public administration; public finance; international relations; social sciences or humanities. Major experience in management, programme and administration.
• Extensive experience in handling complex multi stakeholder and multi sectoral issues: relevant experience in a political environment – handling multiple interlinked issues with a range of constituencies, in varied and changing contexts so as to identify, anticipate and avert potential challenges.
• Extensive experience at a senior managerial level with significant experience in the international environment with a proven record of managing and motivating diverse teams in complex environment. Field experience in multi-sector rural development or food and nutrition security programmes and policies is an asset.
• Fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of other UN languages is highly desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations, For this position fluency in English, with excellent drafting skills, is required. A working knowledge of another United Nations official language will be an advantage.

Human rights screening

In accordance with the policy for the nomination of candidates, the Secretariat wishes to outline that it is the responsibility of the nominating Government to ensure that each candidate it nominates has not been convicted of, or is not currently under investigation or being prosecuted for, any criminal offence, or any violation of international human rights law or international humanitarian law. In the case of nominees who have been investigated for, charged with or prosecuted for any criminal offence but were not convicted, the nominating Government is requested to provide information regarding the investigation(s) or prosecutions concerned. The nominating Government is also requested to certify that it is not aware of any allegations against its nominated candidates that they have been involved, by act or omission, in the commission of any acts that amount to violations of international human rights law or international humanitarian law. All nominations will be treated with the strictest confidence and short-listed candidates will be contacted directly to undergo an assessment process, reference and background checks, including human rights and conflicts of interested screening.

Individuals who are either nominated by Member States or who seek to serve with the United Nations in any individual capacity will be required, if short-listed, to complete a self-attestation stating that they have not committed, been convicted of, nor prosecuted for, any criminal offence and have not been involved, by act or omission, in the commission of any violation of international human rights law or international humanitarian law.

Conflicts of interest

All United Nations staff members are expected to uphold the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity. Senior leaders in particular, have the responsibility to serve as role models in upholding the organization’s ethical standards. A conflict of interest occurs when, by act or omission, a staff member’s personal interests interfere with the performance of his/her official duties and responsibilities, or call into question his/her integrity, independence and impartiality. Risk for conflicts of interest may arise from a staff member’s engagement in outside (non-UN) employment or occupation; outside activities, including political activities; receipt of gifts, honours, awards, favours or remuneration from external (non-UN) sources; or personal investment. In particular, no staff member shall accept any honour, decoration, favour, gift or remuneration from any Government (staff regulation 1.2(j)). Where a real or perceived conflict of interest does arise, senior leaders are obligated t disclose this to the organization without delay. In order to avoid real or perceived family influence or preferential treatment and conflicts of interest that could stem from such situation, the UN Staff Rules provide that appointments “shall not be granted to anyone who is the father, mother, son, daughter, brother or sister of a staff member” (staff rule 4.7(a)).

Short-listed individuals will also be required to complete the pre-appointment declaration of interests for senior positions to identify possible conflicts of interest that may arise and to proactively prevent and manage, as much as possible and in a timely manner, situations in which personal interests may conflict or appear to conflict with the interests of the United Nations, should the individual be appointed to this position.

UNICEF avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Permanent Missions of Member States and Non-Member States to the United Nations the assurances of its highest consideration.