The Nutrition Officer is an open position with a competitive salary
Partner with UNICEF Pakistan to create a fulfilling public health career.
Every expert seeking to contribute to the improvement in the nutrition of women and children now has a great chance to start working with one of the world’s greatest humanitarian organisations. Nutrition Officer Jobs Islamabad 2026 provide an opportunity for professionals to be a part of transformative nutrition interventions directly benefiting child and family physical and mental health, throughout Pakistan.
UNICEF Pakistan is looking to recruit Nutrition Officer (NO-2) Islamabad, Fixed Term Appointment, Muftab bin Obaidah. This role involves strengthening early childhood nutrition programs, supporting evidence-based approaches to interventions, improving infant and young child feeding practices and supporting national nutrition strategies within this scope to support UNICEF’s mission of protecting every child’s right to survive, grow, and thrive.
This is an occupational fit for those with an interest in and background in nutrition, pubic health, maternal and child health, program management, and/or health policy, and who wish to pursue a meaningful career within a globally recognized organization.
Job Overview
| Job Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Job Title | Nutrition Officer (NO-2) |
| Organization | UNICEF Pakistan |
| Duty Station | Islamabad, Pakistan |
| Employment Type | Fixed Term Contract |
| Job Category | Nutrition |
| Organization Level | NO-2 |
| Experience Required | Minimum 2 Years |
| Education Required | Bachelor’s degree |
| Application Deadline | 12 August 2026 |
Position Highlights
- Fixed Term UNICEF appointment
- Islamabad-based position
- Opportunity to improve child nutrition nationwide
- Work with national and provincial stakeholders
- Professional development within an international organization
- Exposure to evidence-based nutrition programs
- Contribution to maternal, infant, and child health initiatives
- Collaborative and multidisciplinary work environment
- Opportunity to support national nutrition policy implementation
About UNICEF
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is present in over 190 countries and territories, defending children’s rights, encouraging better health, better education and strengthening communities in a place where children face difficulties.
UNICEF has for decades worked on a partnership with Government authorities, development organizations and in the local community to confront some of the greatest issues of the time for children. In Pakistan, the organization works significantly to enhance the health system, bolster food and nutrition support, augment immunization extend, education promotion, Emergency response measures.
By joining UNICEF you want to enter into a world organization where you can make improvements in children’s life that are sustainable and measurable.
This opportunity is unique because…
One of the most important bases for children to have healthy development is, of course, nutrition. Nutrition in the prenatal period, infancy and early childhood is an important factor in child physical development, intellectual capabilities, disease prevention and lifelong well-being.
Working as a Nutrition Officer, you’ll play your part with program that assist the following:
- Infant & Young Child Feeding
- Healthy complementary diets
- Growth monitoring
- Nutrition of Micronutrients
- ECD
- Nurturing care initiatives
- Multisectoral nutrition program
Your contribution will support the country’s efforts to address Pakistan’s nutrition related health problems including stunting, wasting, micronutrient deficiency, neonatal mortality, and others in the country across Pakistan.
Career goals/objectives
The Nutrition Officer is not only involved in the technical support but also in the operation of early childhood nutrition program in the Planning, Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation of this program in UNICEF Pakistan.
This will involve collaborating closely with government institutions, health partners and program teams in order to ensure that nutrition interventions are delivered in an efficient and cost effective way whilst adhering to a high level of accountability, quality and measurable impact.
The job scope is program management, providing technical guidance, monitoring & reporting, coordinating stakeholders and providing evidence-based decision making.
It will provide information on your role as part of UNICEF.
During the Country Program Cycle the Nutrition Officer participates in each of the phases of program implementation
There is more to technical nutrition knowledge than there is to be planning, coordinating, monitoring, reporting and ongoing program improvement.
In sum, this position will assist UNICEF’s efforts in ensuring all children have an equal opportunity to survive, develop, learn and achieve their full potential.
Support ECHNP status of the national early childhood nutrition program.
One of the key tasks is to ensure the support for nutrition programming in the first 1,000 days and early childhood.
This encompasses to some degree intervention(s) that support:
- Breastfeeding promotion
- Infant feeding practices
- Complementary Feeding
- Micronutrient Supplementation
- Growth monitoring
- Nutrition education
- Prevent child malnourishment. Childhood Malnutrition Prevention.
All these activities directly help in a healthy childhood development in Pakistan.
Support Program Planning & Implementation
Support the planning and implementation of nutrition projects from project conception until project completion, as the Nutrition Officer.
Key responsibilities include:
- Supporting program development
- Coordinating implementation activities
- Monitoring project progress
- Assisting operational planning
- Opinion Leaders, both supportive and critical, working on program reviews
- Supporting evidence-based decision-making
Projects are well planned and delivered up to the expected standards with skills in planning.
Monitor Program Performance
There is a need for continued monitoring in development programs for successful development.
The successful applicant will help to monitor:
- Program indicators
- Project milestones
- Activity implementation
- Nutrition outcomes
- Operational progress
- Performance against objectives
An accurate monitoring process is the key to letting program teams know early if there is a problem and to ensure that the program is as effective as it can be.
Help produce and track monitoring and evaluation activities
Evaluation assists in determining whether the nutrition programs have any effect on the nutrition status of children.
Roles involve assisting in:
- Data collection
- Field monitoring
- Program reviews
- Evaluation activities
- Performance assessments
- Results reporting
A data source that is reliable increases accountability, and will help in program development in the future.
Support Technical Program Support
The Nutrition Officer also carries out technical assistance during the implementation of program.
This may include:
- Reviewing technical documents
- Supporting nutrition strategies
- Advising implementation teams
- Sharing technical guidance
- Promoting best practices
- Providing support in the capacity development programs
Quality and sustainability of programs improved through technical expertise.
The Program has four focus Areas
This role provides for a number of UNICEF priority nutrition issues.
These include:
The birth to 12-month window of opportunity for infants and young children.
Fostering a good feeding habit (breastfeeding and proper complementary feeding) plays a major role in the growth and development of the child.
Micronutrient Nutrition
Providing necessary vitamins and minerals provides opportunities to alleviate nutritional deficiency in millions of children across the world.
Growth Monitoring and Promotion
Periodic monitoring of growth will help identify nutritional risks at an early stage and help provide early action.
The Prevention and Management of Malnutrition
This role will be involved in supporting acute and chronic malnutrition prevention and management programs.
Early Childhood Development
There is a strong link between nutrition and cognitive development, learning capacity, emotional health and long term nutrition outcomes.
The Nutrition Officer facilitates integrated nutrition and other ECD activities, as well as supports Nutrition and Gender Based Violence (GBV) programming.
Who Should Apply?
This opportunity is ideally suited to those who have experience in working in:
- Nutrition programs
- Public health projects
- The health of the mother and child.The health of the mother and child.
- Community health initiatives
- International development
- Government health programs
- Non-governmental organizations
- Humanitarian operations
This position will suit people who like to use technical skills in combination with program management and collaboration with stakeholders.
Required Educational Qualifications
The applicant is required to have a Bachelor’s in a related field.
These are acceptable academic backgrounds:
- Nutrition
- Public Health
- Health Sciences
- Health Sciences
- Global Health
- International Health
- Health Research
- Health Policy
- Nutrition Management
- The related health science disciplines.
Candidates are well-equipped for program implementation and technical decisions with a strong educational base.
Professional Experience Required
UNICEF expects the applicants to have at least two years of relevant professional experience, preferably from a developing country context.
Previous experience might have been gained in:
- Nutrition programs
- Public health
- Nutrition planning
- Maternal health
- Infant nutrition
- Child health
- Program implementation
- Community nutrition
- Health project management
- Experience with hands-on work with nutrition interventions enhances an applicant’s profile.
Practical experience working directly with nutrition interventions strengthens an applicant’s profile.
The skills and competencies that are required.
To be successful in Nutrition Officer Jobs Islamabad 2026, one must have technical knowledge, program management skills, analytical thinking, and must have good communication skills. UNICEF is seeking professionals who are able to effectively support nutrition program, work in partnership with government institutions, development partners, and multiple disciplines.
Successful candidates will have the ability to work effectively with a number of priorities and have a high level of professionalism, accountability and attention to detail.
The following are some of the best skills to have:
- The development and planning of program
- Nutrition program management
- Monitoring and evaluation
- Installation of a new system, operator support etc.
- Collaborating with partners and stakeholders.
- Knowledge management
- Capacity building and training is the name of the game.
- Analytical thinking
- Report writing
- Effective communication & presentation skills
- Organizational and time management skills
- Problem-solving skills
- Knowledge of different parts of a project and collaborating with others.
These skills are critical to the successful execution of nutrition programs and activities to support healthy children and communities.
Language Requirements
Applicants should have a good command of the English language as it is the main language of work in the documentation, reporting, coordination and communication.
An understanding of another official language of the UN is an asset. These include:
- Arabic
- Chinese
- French
- Russian
- Spanish
Relevant local languages may also support an application, especially in regard to program implementation at field level, and have the advantage of being a field of knowledge.
Preferred Qualifications
UNICEF recognizes that the following qualifications are helpful in the recruitment process, but not required:
Candidates will be preferred who have:
- Gain experience working with a United Nations organisation
- Experiences in international development programs.
- The process of implementing the health and nutrition projects.Implementation of health and nutrition projects experience.
- Experience with fragile environments and/or humanitarian environments
- A good knowledge of public health systems.
- Gain experience in co-ordinating with government institutions
- Indirect exposure to nutrition policy development.
- A understanding of early childhood development program
Such experiences are usually accompanied by increased knowledge of international program standards and massive development projects.
UNICEF Core Values
All UNICEF staff members are expected to embody UNICEF’s values in their workplace.
These values include:
- Care
- Respect
- Integrity
- Trust
- Accountability
- Sustainability
These are the guiding principles in UNICEF decision making, teamwork, program implementation and professional conduct in all UNICEF offices globally.
Core Competencies
UNICEF assessment of candidates also considers competencies in areas other than technical skills, such as key behavioral competencies.
Successful applicants will be required to have the ability to:
- Develop and sustain relationships
- Be aware of self and act ethically
- Deliver measurable results
- Open to innovation and change
- Manage ambiguity and complexity
- Think strategically
- Work collaboratively
- To effectively lead and support lead and support people.
These competencies help employees contribute to UNICEF’s long-term mission while working in dynamic and challenging environments.
Working Environment
UNICEF has a professional, collaborative and mission-oriented working environment where staff collaborate with experienced national and international professionals.
The Islamabad office runs programs on a number of critical development issues in Pakistan, such as nutrition, maternal health, child protection, education, immunization, water and sanitation, and emergency response.
Staff will regularly work alongside:
- Government ministries
- Provincial authorities
- Development partners
- Health professionals
- Researchers
- Civil society organizations
- International agencies
- Community stakeholders
There are high-quality professional learning and career development opportunities in this multi-disciplinary setting.
Career Growth Opportunities
The experience gained from working with UNICEF can be helpful for future growth and development of their career through national and international development organizations.
Those who successfully work in nutrition and public health programs can then go on to work in other roles, including:
- Senior Nutrition Officer
- Nutrition Specialist
- Public Health Specialist
- Program Officer
- Program Specialist
- Consult with a health and nutrition advisor.
- Pre-school Development Worker
- Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist
- International Development Consultant
- Program Manager
The lessons learnt with the UNICEF are well known globally in the humanitarian and development field.
Benefits of Working with UNICEF
UNICEF points to various career and workplace advantages for its staff.
These include:
- Learning and development opportunities are provided for all staff.
- Inclusive and diverse working place
- Competitive salary and benefits program.
- Sensible, child and community supportive work
- Pupils are exposed to international best practices.
- Learning and capacity building opportunities
- Working with the professionals who has the experience in the field.
- Opportunity to give back to national development priorities
Staff are also provided with a working environment where equality, diversity and ethical working practices are fostered.
Some pointers on making a successful application:
It should be clear that candidates who are interested in the position can clearly demonstrate how their educational and practical experience qualifies them for the job.
Make sure that a CV emphasizes:
- Appropriate nutrition or public health training or credentials
- Expertise to implement maternal and child health programs
- The program planning and implementation are in line with the experience of the stakeholders.
- Understanding the principles of monitoring and evaluation skills.
- Technical reporting experience
- Stakeholder coordination
- Capacities building and training activities
- The ability to undertake analysis and research activities.
- Communication abilities
- English language proficiency
Do not confine yourself only to the listing of your aims and endeavor to show the concrete results that you achieved through your actions.
Preparation for the Interview
The candidates who make it to the interview stage must be ready to explain their technical knowledge and experience with the program.
Some of these areas of discussion could be:
- Learning about nutrition program: experience gained through the use of nutrition program.
- Promoting maternal and child health efforts.Advocating for maternal and child health programs.
- Evaluation of the program monitoring and evaluation.
- Data collection and analysis
- Stakeholder engagement
- Partnership development
- Challenges encountered in the implementation of a program
- Handling various priorities at once
- What motivates you to work with UNICEF?
Having provided some concrete examples of your past experience to the questions raised during the interview might help.
Who is Eligible?
It’s an opportunity for professionals with the following backgrounds:
- Nutrition
- Public Health
- Health Sciences
- Maternal and Child Health
- Global Health
- Community Health
- International Development
- Nutrition Research
- Program Management
- Health Policy
This job posting would be ideal for those individuals that have the required experience and wish to make an impact on children’s health and nutrition programs.
FAQs
Where is the job located?
This position is at Islamabad, Pakistan.
What sorts of jobs are available?
The job is for a Fixed Term Appointment (NO-2).
Who’s looking for employees?
The post will be advertised by UNICEF Pakistan.
What is needed in terms of education?
The applicants must have a Bachelor’s Degree in Nutrition, Public Health, Health Science, Global Health, Nutritional Epidemiology, Health Policy, or in any other relevant health field.
For how many years should they have the experience?
at least two year of experience.
Is English proficiency mandatory?
Yes. its important.
Do you need to have previous experience with UN?
No. Working experience with a United Nations agency or international development organization is however a plus.
Conclusion
Nutrition Officer Jobs Islamabad 2026 are a great opportunity for the professionals who want to work with the most reputed humanitarian organization for improving the nutrition of mothers and children in the country. Qualified candidates will be able to work in UNICEF Pakistan’s nutrition programs that have the potential to enhance nutrition outcomes at the most critical stage of a child’s life and also will have the opportunity to support national public health priorities.
It brings together a range of technical skills and information management, program management, monitoring, partnership building and evidence-based decision-making skills in a collaborative international context. It’s well suited for those with a background in nutrition, public health, maternal and child health or international development who are looking for a job that will have a lasting impact and is meaningful.
For those who are looking to progress their careers and make a difference in the lives of children by improving child health and nutrition in Pakistan, this is a great opportunity to further your educational and professional development while making a difference for every child to have the opportunity to survive, grow, learn and reach their full potential through UNICEF’s work.
Disclaimer: This job information is shared for educational and informational purposes only. Please verify all details with the official employer or government websites before applying