Chief of nutrition vacancy at UNICEF
UNICEF JOB OPPORTUNITY
Position Title: Chief of Nutrition
Level: P-5 (Fixed-Term Appointment)
Job Number: 596559
Job Reference: 068557
Duty Station: Abuja, Nigeria
Category: Nutrition
Publication Date: 26 October 2026
Application Deadline: 9 November 2026
About UNICEF
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) operates in more than 190 countries and territories worldwide to uphold children’s rights, safeguard lives, and empower every child to reach their full potential.
Role Overview
UNICEF is seeking a visionary, results-driven, and experienced professional to serve as the Chief of Nutrition in Abuja, Nigeria.
The successful candidate will provide strategic leadership and comprehensive management of UNICEF’s nutrition programme, steering the planning, implementation, rigorous monitoring, and successful delivery of impactful results. Leading a dedicated Nutrition team, the Chief of Nutrition will champion sustainable outcomes in maternal, infant, and child nutrition, fully aligned with UNICEF’s overarching strategic priorities and results-based management framework.
Key Responsibilities
Managerial Leadership: Provide visionary leadership, guidance, and supervision to the Nutrition team.
Programme Strategy & Implementation: Lead nutrition programme development, strategic planning, and end-to-end implementation.
Monitoring & Quality Control: Oversee programme monitoring, performance management, and quality assurance.
Technical Advisory: Deliver expert technical advice and support on national and regional nutrition policies and high-impact interventions.
Partnership & Advocacy: Build strategic partnerships, strengthen advocacy efforts, and engage key stakeholders effectively.
Innovation & Capacity Building: Promote innovation, knowledge management, and institutional capacity building.
Minimum Requirements & Qualifications
1. Education
An advanced university degree in Nutrition, Public Health, Nutritional Epidemiology, Global/International Health and Nutrition, Health Sciences, Nutrition Research, Policy, Management, or another relevant health-related discipline.
2. Professional Experience
A minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience gained in a developing country setting, focusing on nutrition, public health, nutrition planning and management, or maternal, infant, and child health and nutrition care.
3. Core Skills & Competencies
Extensive expertise in results-based management, strategic planning, partnership building, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), and health/nutrition programme management.
Proven leadership capabilities, including a track record of supervising large teams and managing complex programmes to achieve sustainable, measurable results.
4. Language Proficiency
Fluency in English (required).
Knowledge of another official United Nations language or a relevant local language will be considered an advantage.
Preferred Qualifications & Additional Advantages
Prior experience managing health or nutrition programmes within a United Nations agency or international organization.
Relevant country-level experience, particularly within development, fragile settings, and humanitarian contexts.
Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female candidates as well as candidates with disabilities to apply.
Note: UNICEF does not charge any application or processing fees at any stage of the recruitment process. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified professionals are invited to review the complete job description and submit their applications through the official UNICEF Careers Portal by the application deadline of 9 November 2026.
