Chief Nutrition, P-5

Role Overview

This senior post sits at the intersection of technical expertise and organizational leadership, driving the design, delivery, and oversight of large-scale nutrition programmes. In day-to-day practice, you will lead a multidisciplinary team, translate evidence into policy guidance, and ensure that interventions stay on track for measurable impact in both stable and crisis-affected settings. The role matters because your strategic direction shapes how effectively national systems and humanitarian responses prevent malnutrition and improve public health outcomes for children and families.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a team of nutrition and public health professionals, setting clear objectives, fostering professional growth, and ensuring high standards of delivery across all programme areas.
• Develop and steer the country or regional nutrition programme strategy, aligning it with broader health, food systems, and humanitarian frameworks while responding to emerging needs.
• Oversee the full programme cycle—from assessment and planning through implementation, budgeting, and resource allocation—while maintaining robust monitoring systems for quality assurance.
• Provide high-level technical advisory support to government counterparts and partner organizations, helping shape nutrition policies, protocols, and investment decisions.
• Identify and cultivate partnerships with UN agencies, civil society, academic institutions, and the private sector, maximizing coordination and resource leverage.
• Champion nutrition priorities through advocacy at national and international levels, ensuring that evidence-based messages reach decision-makers and the public.
• Spearhead innovation and knowledge management, documenting lessons learned, promoting research uptake, and strengthening in-country capacities through targeted training and mentoring.

Requirements & Qualifications

Minimum Requirements

• An advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in nutrition, public health, nutritional epidemiology, global/international health, health policy, health sciences, or a closely related field.
• At least 10 years of progressively responsible professional experience in nutrition, public health, nutrition policy, health systems, food systems, or humanitarian nutrition.
• Demonstrated experience in managerial leadership, with a track record of leading teams, driving strategy, and delivering results in complex environments.
• Strong advocacy, relationship-building, and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders and secure buy-in for ambitious nutrition agendas.
• Fluency in English is required for effective communication and reporting.

Desirable Qualifications

• Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) or a relevant local language.
• Prior experience developing or managing health or nutrition programmes within a UN system agency or organization.
• Field experience at country level, especially in development, fragile, or humanitarian settings.