UNICEF·Apr 7, 2026

Nutrition Specialist

- Contribute to the advancement of youth-led nutrition advocacy initiatives across Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), including platforms such as Fix My Food, by supporting planning processes, preparing technical and...

On-siteInternationalSpecialist UCoS from Apr20262. Zero hunger
On-site

Panama

Panama City

Duration

365 days

Extendable

Positions

1 Available

Deadline

Apr 20, 2026

5 days left

🎯

Sustainable Development Goal

2. Zero hunger

General Information

Description of assignment title

Nutrition Specialist

Assignment country

Panama

Expected start date

May 1, 2026

Sustainable Development Goal

2. Zero hunger

Volunteer category

Specialist UCoS from Apr2026

Host entity

UNICEF

Type

onsite

Duration

365 days
(with possibility of extension)

Number of assignments

1

Duty stations

Panama City

Assignment Details

Mission and Objectives

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 fulfil their potential. Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. And we never give up.

Context

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to promote and protect the rights of every child. In Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), UNICEF supports governments and partners to address all forms of malnutrition, including undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, overweight and obesity, through food systems approaches that promote equitable access to healthy diets across the life cycle. The Child Nutrition and Development Practice of the Panama Center of Excellence (CoE) contribute to strengthening food systems programming across countries in LAC, integrating youth-led nutrition advocacy, social and behaviour change (SBC) strategies across the life cycle, and Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) programming. The Practice also supports evidence generation, dissemination, and collaboration with public and private stakeholders to advance accountable and sustainable food systems transformation. This UN Volunteer assignment will support the implementation and documentation of food systems priorities across LAC, with a particular focus on youth-led nutrition advocacy initiatives such as Fix My Food. The role includes preparing technical inputs and background materials to support countries and the CoE, consolidating multi-country information, contributing to the dissemination of evidence and results, supporting SBC and IYCF-related knowledge products, and preparing analytical and reporting inputs for multi-country and country-level donor grants, including documentation related to food systems and partnership initiatives.

Task Description

- Contribute to the advancement of youth-led nutrition advocacy initiatives across Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), including platforms such as Fix My Food, by supporting planning processes, preparing technical and advocacy materials, providing support to country offices and youth networks (including CSOs), documenting results and lessons learned, and facilitating follow-up and dissemination activities. - Contribute to the advancement of UNICEF’s food systems priorities across LAC, including activities related to Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) strategies across the life cycle, Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) programming, and the prevention of overweight and obesity, particularly among school-age children and adolescents. - Coordinate and plan the preparation and consolidation of donor reporting processes for global, multi-country and country-level grants, including organizing reporting timelines, consolidating country inputs, and preparing technical content. - Prepare and adapt technical inputs, background materials and guidance notes to support global and country-level programming and implementation - Plan and organize technical meetings, workshops, dissemination events and capacity-strengthening processes, including preparation of agendas, technical materials and documentation of key outcomes. - Support collaboration and information exchange with Country Offices, youth networks, civil society, academia, UN agencies and development partners, contributing to coordination, monitoring and documentation of key activities and outcomes. - Contribute to knowledge management and dissemination processes related to food systems priorities across LAC by consolidating multi-country inputs, systematizing results and good practices, and developing technical and communication materials — including briefs, presentations and background documents — translating evidence into clear and policy-relevant messages to inform advocacy and programme development.

Eligibility Criteria

Age

18 - 80

Required experience

5 years

Nationality

Open to all nationalities

Assignment Requirements

Relevant experience

5 years

Language Requirements
SpanishRequired
Working knowledge
EnglishRequired
Working knowledge
Required education level

Bachelor's degree

Area(s) of expertise

Development programmes, Health

Driving license

-

Competencies and values
• Demonstrates Self-Awareness and Ethical Awareness • Works Collaboratively with Others • Builds and Maintains Partnerships • Innovates and Embraces Change • Thinks and Acts Strategically • Manages Ambiguity and Complexity
Skills and experience
- At least 5 years of relevant professional experience at national and/or international level in public health, nutrition and/or related development programmes. Experience supporting multi-country or multi-stakeholder coordination processes is an asset. - Demonstrated professional experience in youth engagement and advocacy processes, including collaboration with youth networks, civil society organizations or youth-led initiatives, is required. - Professional experience in public health and/or nutrition / food systems programming is desirable. - Experience with Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) strategies across the life cycle is a strong asset. - Required experience contributing to programme documentation, knowledge management, dissemination processes, donor reporting, etc. - Excellent oral and written communication skills, with strong drafting, analytical and reporting abilities, and demonstrated accuracy and professionalism in document preparation and editing. - Strong stakeholder engagement and coordination skills

Additional Information

Living conditions and remarks
Panama City is a safe and stable duty station with reliable infrastructure and access to quality services. The city is well connected internationally through Tocumen International Airport and offers strong regional air connectivity across Latin America and beyond. Electricity, potable water, internet and telecommunications services are widely available and reliable. Public and private medical facilities are of good quality, and banking services are well developed. The climate is tropical, with high temperatures and humidity throughout most of the year. A wide range of accommodation options is available, although housing costs in central areas can be relatively high. Panama City is multicultural and dynamic, requiring adaptability and cultural sensitivity in professional and social interactions. Panama provides an enriching professional environment with exposure to multi-country coordination and regional development processes. While living conditions are generally comfortable, flexibility, initiative and the ability to manage a fast-paced workload are important to ensure a productive and rewarding assignment.
Inclusivity statement

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity without distinction.

Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements

Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to vaccination requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19), in line with the applicable host entity policy.

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