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National Consultant : Strengthening Nutrition Education through the Nutrition School Ambassadors[...]

National Consultant : Strengthening Nutrition Education through the Nutrition School Ambassadors[...]

UNICEF South AfricaWorkFromHome, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
1 day ago
Job description

National Consultant : Strengthening Nutrition Education through the Nutrition School Ambassadors (NUSA) Initiative, Pretoria, South Africa (Remote)

UNICEF South Africa's Health and Nutrition Outcome : Girls and boys, including the most deprived, receive an integrated package of quality and equitable maternal, neonatal, and child health (MNCH), HIV / AIDS, and nutrition care and services.

The Health and Nutrition section has 3 outputs, and this consultancy supports Outputs 2 and 3 under the key interventions :

  • Support the implementation of the Blueprint for improving the South African school Food environment
  • Empower young people and learners to advocate for improved food environment in schools and institutions of higher learning, NCD prevention and modifiable risk factors, including overweight and obesity

Since 2022, UNICEF South Africa has supported government efforts to improve the food environment through youth-led advocacy and social and behaviour change communication campaigns under the banner My Body, My Health : My Wealth. This initiative reached over 3 million youth aged 15‑24 years between 2022 and 2024 with messages on the prevention of obesity and non‑communicable diseases (NCDs), while empowering young people to become agents of change in addressing food system challenges and advocating for relevant policies.

In 2024, the third phase of this campaign introduced the youth‑led Fix My Food movement, aimed at transforming the food system through policy advocacy. This included the support for the implementation of draft regulations on food labelling and advertising, and the efforts to improve campus food environments.

Furthermore, in partnership with the Department of Basic Education (DBE), UNICEF also supported the development of the Blueprint for Improving the South African School Food Environment (2021). This collaboration led to an 18‑month, two‑phase pilot in six public schools in the iLembe district of KwaZulu‑Natal. One of the key insights from this pilot was the establishment of Nutrition School ambassadors to make learners agents of change for their own school food environment.

The 2025 United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Child Nutrition Report highlights this concerning trend, indicating that the prevalence of overweight among South African children aged 5‑19 years increased from 9% in 2000 to 21% in 2022, surpassing underweight as the most common form of malnutrition. Consequently, approximately 18.8 million school‑aged children and adolescents are now at heightened risk of developing life‑threatening NCDs, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive and sustained action. This indicates that despite the efforts of the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP), sustainable behaviour change remains limited. This is largely due to inconsistent and poorly integrated nutrition education, as well as low learner engagement. One‑off campaigns have proven insufficient in addressing the deeper behavioural and environmental factors that contribute to poor nutrition.

To bridge these gaps, the DBE, in collaboration with UNICEF through the NSNP’s Nutrition Education (NE) pillar, aims to establish the Nutrition School Ambassadors (NUSA) initiative. This initiative aims to complement and strengthen exciting nutrition education through promoting peer‑led approaches that empower learners to become active agents of change for their own school food environment. The initiative will complement current nutrition education, which is included in life orientation and related subjects, with nutrition content as part of the DBE’s Curriculum and Policy Statements (CAPS) through peer‑led initiatives, making learners active agents of change rather than passive recipients of information; and to further empower learners with the knowledge, skills and confidence to advocate for and demand healthy food environment policies in their schools and communities. The NUSA initiative will be integrated under the Care and Support for Teaching and Learning's (CSTL) Nutritional Support pillar through the establishment of a “NUSA School Club” as a sub‑committee within the Representative Council of Learners (RCL).

It is against this background that a consultant is required to support the establishment of the NUSA initiative in support of the DBE’s National School Nutrition Programme. The focus would be on advancing competency‑based food and nutrition education and facilitating youth‑led policy advocacy to promote healthier school food environments.

How can you make a difference?

Under the supervision of the Nutrition Manager from the Health and Nutrition Section, the consultant will provide technical support to DBE in enhancing learners’ knowledge, skills, and advocacy capacity through participatory, curriculum‑linked nutrition education, enabling them to critically engage with their own dietary behaviour and that of their peers. Furthermore, the consultant will develop toolkits for the NUSA initiative to empower learners to advocate for healthier school food environments by engaging with School Governing Bodies, School Management Teams, and food vendors to promote and enforce policies that ensure the availability and affordability of nutritious options in and around schools.

Activities

  • Write and submit an inception report outlining the methodology, workplan, timeline, and package materials to be developed.
  • Review existing nutrition education materials, training package, and guidebook targeted at learners and educators. Ensure alignment of materials with the national curriculum and the Nutrition Education (NE) pillar of the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP). Engage with education and nutrition experts for technical input and validation of toolkit content.
  • Provide technical and strategic support to strengthen the integration of learners’ voices, foster learner‑led advocacy and peer education within NUSA, leveraging existing UNICEF youth structures such as campus clubs and FMF advocates.
  • Conduct orientation and sensitisation workshops in 5 Provinces – namely, Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Free State, Northern Cape, and North‑West to DBE management teams at provincial and district which include School Management Team (SMT), School Governing Body (SGB), and Representative Council of Learners (RCL) in secondary schools.
  • Build capacity of NUSA members in identified schools in the 5 Provinces.
  • Conduct 4 supportive monitoring visits to 5 provinces to provide support with the implementation of the NUSA initiative.
  • Co‑create with learners the development of a package of information materials in various formats (social media tiles, blog posts, scripts for radio and video, surveys or quizzes, press releases, etc.).
  • Liaise with Fix My Food advocates and allocate them to support Provinces through advocacy initiatives targeted to learners. Coordinate and support the capacity building of Fix My Food (FMF) Advocates and Campus Club Volunteers.
  • Develop and implement a monitoring and evaluation framework within the initiative's plan to track progress, outcomes, and impact of NUSA initiative.
  • Prepare a comprehensive written report of the process, achievements, reach, and lessons learned, and present the final evaluation and results to UNICEF.
  • Identify best practices and lessons learned from implementation to inform the scale‑up of the NUSA initiative.

    • Deliverables

  • Inception report outlining the methodology, work plan, timeline, and package materials to be developed.
  • Finalised revised toolkit approved by UNICEF and DBE, including training and orientation materials, guidebook, supporting materials, monitoring and evaluation tools, framework, SOP with roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders.
  • Conduct five orientation and sensitisation workshops in Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Free State, Northern Cape, and North‑West to DBE management teams at provincial and district which include School Management Team (SMT), School Governing Body (SGB), and Representative Council of Learners (RCL) in secondary schools.
  • Build the capacity of NUSA members in the identified schools in the 5 Provinces.
  • Present mid‑way progress results of the campaign.
  • Conduct 4 supportive monitoring visits to 5 provinces to provide support with the implementation of the NUSA initiative.
  • Develop and implement the monitoring and evaluation framework within the initiative's plan to track progress, outcomes, and impact of NUSA initiative.
  • Co‑create with learners the development of a package of information materials in various formats.
  • Prepare a close‑out report on the NUSA initiative to include the process, achievements, reach, and lessons learned.
  • Identify best practices and lessons learned from implementation to inform the scale‑up of the NUSA initiative.

    • Stakeholder Engagement

    Each step will require review, feedback, and approval from UNICEF and DBE before it is considered complete. The consultant is expected to provide regular updates and present progress and findings to UNICEF and DBE at the agreed time.

    Qualifications

  • Advanced degree (MPH, MSc, etc.) in Public Health, Social and Behavioural Health Science, Public Nutrition, Health Education and Promotion, Social Sciences or other related disciplines.
  • At least 5 years or more of relevant experience in public health, nutrition, or social and behaviour change communication (SBCC). Knowledge and understanding of child and adolescent nutrition, food systems, health promotion, and / or NCD prevention is essential.
  • Experience in youth engagement and implementing similar advocacy or education campaigns is an advantage.
  • Experience in social and behaviour change.
  • Proven experience in the development of capacity building materials (i.e., manuals, job aids, tools, etc.).
  • A good track record in working with the government and implementation of social and behaviour change strategies.
  • Relevant experience working in the UN or other international development organisations is an asset.

    • Skills

  • Proven project management and coordination skills.
  • Strong writing, facilitation, and communication skills.
  • Strong computer skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) are required. Skills with other software, such as Canva, Photoshop, and similar, are desirable.
  • Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders, including youth, government, and civil society.
  • Familiarity with government regulations and UNICEF youth advocacy initiatives is desirable.
  • Familiarity with the South African education and Health system is highly desirable.

    • Language Requirements

  • Fluency in English is required in addition to strong written and verbal competency.
  • Working knowledge of other official South African Languages would be an advantage.

    • Desirables

  • Expertise on social and behaviour change communications campaigns and strategies.
  • Knowledge on nutrition, food systems, health promotion, NCD prevention or similar.

    • Financial Proposal

    Kindly submit your financial proposal in ZAR; applications without financial proposal will not be accepted.

    UNICEF Core Values

    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.

    Competencies Required

  • Builds and maintains partnerships
  • Demonstrates self‑awareness and ethical awareness
  • Drive to achieve results for impact
  • Innovates and embraces change
  • Manages ambiguity and complexity
  • Thinks and acts strategically
  • Works collaboratively with others

    • Inclusion, Diversity, and Accessibility

    UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and the UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of race, ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio‑economic background, minority, or any other status. UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neuro‑divergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage.

    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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

    UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. 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.

    Legal Requirements and Policy Statements

    UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable candidates 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.

    Humanitarian Context

    Humanitarian action is a cross‑cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to staying and delivering in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

    Selection Process

    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

    Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.

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