UNV Knowledge Management for Nutrition

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

The nutrition programmatic environment in India and UNICEF response have changed dramatically since the launch of POSHAN Abhiyaan (National Nutrition Mission) in 2018 and POSHAN 2.0 in 2022 refocusing the nutrition agenda on nutrition. In 2019, the launch of POSHAN Abhiyaan Jan Andolan (people’s movement for nutrition) strengthened the broad groundswell for nutrition. UNICEF provided directions for system strengthening of programming using C²IQ as the approach to focus efforts on improving the coverage, continuity, intensity and quality of 5 key priority programme areas (The BIG5s).

Nutrition Programme Priorities = The BIGS5s
 Promoting adequate food and diets in early childhood (IYCF with focus on CF)
 Improving timely and early detection of growth failure (prevention of wasting and stunting)
 Addressing LBW and wasting in children under six month (prevention and care)
 Improving adolescent nutrition with focus on diets and anemia prevention
 Improving women’s nutrition during pregnancy with focus on diets, services, and practise

The ICO Nutrition section uses a structural systems approach for programme review:
• A theoretical concept to systematically analyse, plan and respond
• Strong Triple A (Assessment, Analysis, Action) allowing for regular reviews of progress, identification of bottlenecks and update plans
• The nutrition uses the health systems six building block approach (from WHO but also including demand creation/ community empowerment).

The National UNV volunteers on Knowledge Management for Nutrition would be tasked to support the nutrition programme through collaboration with the Chief of Nutrition and the Nutrition Specialists on Knowledge Management. Knowledge management refers to the process of ensuring that pertinent insights from evidence and programming is available to the right stakeholders at the right time for informing programmatic and policy decisions.

Under the overall guidance of the Nutrition Specialist (IP-L4), the National UNV volunteers on Knowledge Management for Nutrition will provide technical, operational and administrative assistance in the area of Knowledge Management (KM) of the nutrition section and nutrition programmes within the UNICEF Country Programme 2023-2027 and aiming at facilitating systems and processes to ensure that pertinent insights from evidence and programming is available to the right stakeholders at the right time for informing programmatic and policy decisions.

1) Support the documentation of the nutrition section/ programme work
• In collaboration with output managers and/or field nutrition officers, prepare/ write state-of-the-art case studies, human interest stories, policy briefs, programme briefs, PowerPoint presentations as planned by the section
• Review, edit, and consolidate material for knowledge products, ensuring clarity and continuity of the argument and clarity of structure and core themes
• Proofread layout files, including checking spelling, country, and city names and acronyms and other abbreviations (making sure that they follow official UNICEF terminology and conventions), style consistency, callouts, layout problems, references, etc.
• Ensure implementation of the UNICEF style guide and correct branding of all documents produced
• Suggest the production of new/ additional knowledge products that are not planned but identified to be of interest for the nutrition section’s work

2) Support the production and dissemination of Poshan Weekly
• In collaboration with output managers and/or UNICEF partners, identify topics and content and facilitate the preparation of Poshan Weekly issues
• Manage the dissemination of Poshan Weekly through mailing list, WhatsApp’s group and social media (Facebook, Twitter, etc.)

3) Manage the social media communication of the nutrition section
• Post #PoshanNewsUpdate (nutrition news) on the whatsapp group and other social media
• Post informative nutrition content including articles and videos on #StopChildMalnutritionIndia social media (Facebook, Twitter)
• Post important nutrition knowledge products prepared by UNICEF on social media.
• Monitor the number of subscriptions, followers, etc. and prepare a 1-pager monthly report
• Organise capacity building sessions for UNICEF nutrition staff on nutrition advocacy on social media

4) Undertake active media-tracking
• Monitor press/ media articles on nutrition and identify journalists/media interested in nutrition
• Follow parliamentarians’ members of the PCG (33) and identify those that are sensitive to nutrition
• Hunt for champions/ individuals active on social media to advocate for nutrition.

5) Maintain the section ECM Knowledge@UNICEF library and UNICEF India website
• Keep the ECM Knowledge@UNICEF library and the single list constantly updated with all newly published reports, case studies, HIS, papers, etc.
• Keep the CNNS-related publications list constantly updated
• In collaboration with output managers and/or field nutrition officers, prepare/ write new updates and contents for the UNICEF India website (nutrition pages)

6) Facilitate the implementation, monitoring and update of the nutrition section Advocacy Action plan/ Knowledge Management Strategy and Office Evidence Framework
• Through the respective Community of Practices (UNICEF internal), assist COP members with the regular monitoring and updating of the nutrition section Advocacy Action Plan, related Office Evidence Framework and implementation of the agreed activities (generation of evidence, production and dissemination of knowledge products and, advocacy for programmatic and/or policy change)

7) Facilitate the organisation of the monthly Nutrition Network Meeting – KM session
• Prepare the monthly meeting invitations and agenda
• Facilitate and assist output managers and/or nutrition officers with the preparation of the presentations for the knowledge sharing/ cross learning bi-monthly sessions
• Facilitate the organisation of the bi-monthly KM sessions on capacity building (identification of facilitators, support document, presentations, etc.)

8) Streamline work with Communication-Advocacy Partnership (CAP) section –
• Keep the nutrition section calendar of event regularly updated and communicated at least 2 weeks in advance to CAP section for their support –
• Monitor the implementation of the CAP section “Communication Asks/ Advocacy Framework” and assist with the development of the communication messages, branding and dissemination through social media

Expected results/Outputs
• High quality edited documents are prepared to document the work undertaken by the nutrition section around its five priorities, both on development and emergency response and from various field offices (successes, lessons learnt, HIS, briefs, etc.
• 3 to 4 Poshan Weekly issues are ready for issue at any point of time
• Poshan Weekly issues are disseminated every week
• StopChildMalnutritionIndia social media handles are regularly updated with informative nutrition materials.
• Active journalists/ media, parliamentarians and champions/ individuals on nutrition are identified
• The ECM Knowledge@UNICEF library, single list and CNNS-related publications list are always up to date with new publications - The UNICEF India website is regularly updated with new information, reports, case studies, HIS, etc.
• The nutrition section Advocacy Action Plan/ Knowledge Management Strategy and Office Evidence Framework are timely implemented, monitored and regularly updated with new evidence the section will generate
• Monthly KM sessions of the NNMs are held and action points monitored
• CAP section supports the nutrition section’s events
• The CAP section “Communication Asks/ Advocacy Framework” is implemented, monitored and updated as required.
• As an active team member of nutrition section, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support is rendered to UNICEF India and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her /his functions
• Age, gender, diversity and equity perspectives are systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment
• A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:
• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day);
• Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country
• Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.
• Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers
• Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible