Home based: Global Nutrition Cluster Strategic Alignment consultant

Overview UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfil their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.UNICEF is a place where careers are built. We offer diverse opportunities for professional and personal development, a purpose‑driven culture, and an attractive compensation and benefits package. The Global Nutrition Cluster (GNC) is mandated to support predictable, effective, and accountable nutrition coordination in humanitarian contexts. Led by UNICEF, the GNC brings together over 60 global partners and more than 1,000 national partners, including UN agencies, NGOs, academia and donors. In 2025 the Inter‑Agency Standing Committee (IASC) launched the Humanitarian Reset – a system‑wide reform designed to simplify coordination, promote inter‑sectoral collaboration and enhance people‑centred, locally led, and climate‑resilient humanitarian action. This reset creates a pivotal opportunity to realign the GNC’s global coordination model, reinforce localisation as a core principle, and integrate climate risk and innovation into the way humanitarian nutrition responses are supported and delivered. In parallel, the GNC will launch its new 2026‑2029 Strategy. This consultancy will ensure the GNC’s operations, partnerships and governance mechanisms are fully aligned with the Humanitarian Reset and the new strategic direction, including GNC priorities such as the integration of climate considerations, and localisation commitments across all functions. Consultancy Focus Support the development and process monitoring of a costed, actionable multi‑year GNC collective workplan that advances GNC strategic priorities and operationalises the commitments of the Humanitarian Reset and the GNC 2026‑2029 Strategy, including localisation, climate integration and innovation in coordination and response. Facilitate partner engagement and dialogue by leading the preparation and organisation of the GNC Global Event, which will focus on the “year of transition”. The event will be a platform for GNC entities, working groups and partners to present and discuss their respective transition and ways of working for the 2026‑2029 strategic period. Strengthen SAG engagement and governance through the effective organisation and facilitation of regular SAG meetings and the annual SAG event, ensuring decision‑making reflects the evolving strategic direction of the GNC. Review and update key GNC documents and capacity‑strengthening initiatives to ensure alignment with the new GNC Strategy and the Humanitarian Reset, including the GNC Standard Operating Procedures, the GNC Local and National Actor Leadership in Coordination guidance and ensuring that CS initiatives reflect the evolving GNC direction with localisation, climate considerations and AI innovation embedded. Key Result Areas and Deliverables Deliverable 1: Finalise the design and copy‑editing of the new GNC Strategy (2026‑2029), and oversee its translation into key languages through Clear Global MoU. (10 working days), due by 31 May 2026. Deliverable 2: Support the development of the 2026 Annual GNC Collective Workplan in collaboration with the GNC Programme Leadership Team (PLT), ensuring alignment with the Humanitarian Reset and the new GNC Strategy. (10 working days), due by 31 March 2026. Deliverable 3: Update the GNC NGO Leadership in Cluster Coordination 2‑pager to align with the Reset. (8 working days), due by 31 December 2026. Deliverable 4: Align and update the GNC Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to reflect the Future Focus Initiative (FFI), Humanitarian Reset and 2026‑2029 GNC Strategy. (12 working days), due by 31 January 2027. Deliverable 5: Coordinate the preparation and organisation of the 2026 GNC Global Event through regular communication and engagement with relevant stakeholders at global and country level. (12 working days), due by 31 August 2026. Deliverable 6: Establish and facilitate a Global Event Planning Committee to ensure cross‑team collaboration on agenda development, session design and website content. (12 working days), due by 31 August 2026. Deliverable 7: Lead the design and maintenance of a dedicated Global Event landing page on the GNC website (in collaboration with the GNC IMO and informed by the Planning Committee). (12 working days), due by 31 August 2026. Deliverable 8: Lead the compilation of daily slide decks and visual materials in coordination with session leads, ensuring consistency in branding and alignment with the GNC Strategy and Humanitarian Reset. (6 working days), due by 31 August 2026. Deliverable 9: Produce a concise post‑event report summarising key discussions, decisions and recommendations – including agreed next steps, proposed structural adjustments and follow‑up actions to guide implementation of the new GNC Strategy. (12 working days), due by 31 September 2026. Deliverable 10: Support the organisation of regular Strategic Advisory Group (SAG) meetings, ensuring alignment to the ‘new humanitarian context’ and GNC strategy. (24 working days), due by 30 December 2026. Deliverable 11: Support the GNC with workplan monitoring to ensure the GNC is on track to adjusting to the new strategy/reset, including a mid‑year ‘pulse check’ with the GNC SAG. (12 working days), due by 30 July 2026. Deliverable 12: Lead the planning and facilitation of the 2026 SAG Annual (face‑to‑face or virtual) meeting; which will focus on the year of ‘transition’ and adjusting to the Reset. (12 working days), due by 30 November 2026. Deliverable 13: Support donor proposal/concept note development ensuring Humanitarian Reset and GNC Strategy alignment. (8 working days), throughout the contract duration. Travel Conduct up to two international missions. Locations and dates to be confirmed. Travel costs will be reimbursed based on submitted invoices. Minimum Requirements Education: Advanced university degree in nutrition, public health, global/international health and nutrition, health/nutrition research, policy and/or management, humanitarian assistance and development, law or another relevant field. Work Experience: Minimum of 7 years of professional experience in nutrition in emergencies programming, nutrition, public health or nutrition planning. Language Requirements: Fluency in English. Desirables Proof of experience in cluster coordination in a humanitarian context. Relevant experience in nutrition project development and management in a UN system. Experience working with the Global Nutrition Cluster. Knowledge of the Humanitarian Reset and experience applying its recommendations. Estimated Duration of the Contract 150 working days between 01 February 2026 and 31 January 2027. Consultant’s Work Place and Official Travel The consultant will be home‑based with two travels foreseen. Estimated Cost of the Consultancy & Payment Schedule Payment will be made on submission of an invoice and satisfactory completion of the above‑mentioned deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/outputs are incomplete, not delivered or for failure to meet deadlines. All materials developed will remain the copyright of UNICEF and UNICEF will be free to adapt and modify them in the future. Application Requirements Please submit a professional fee (in USD) based on 150 working days, a CV and a cover letter. Additionally indicate your availability and professional fee to undertake the terms of reference above. Applications submitted without a professional fee will not be considered. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. Legal and EEO Statements Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws. The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully‑vaccinated status against SARS‑CoV‑2 (Covid‑19) with a WHO‑endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants with disabilities, including accessible software, travel assistance and personal attendants. UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child and 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 does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18) and has a zero‑tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes. UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information. #J-18808-Ljbffr