Mission and objectives

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programmes, 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 favouritism. 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, nutrition, education, and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfil 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. In this regard, UNICEF cooperates with several sectoral ministries, particularly the National Food and Nutrition Agency (Agence Nationale alimentation et de nutrition (ANAN), to implement a holistic vision of children's rights. These ministries include those responsible for development and government action, education, health, agriculture, vocational training, social affairs, economy and finance, justice, the interior, decentralization, labor, water, the environment, youth, and digital affairs. UNICEF's vision in Benin for its current program (2024-2026) is to achieve "a Benin where children and adolescents living in the most vulnerable communities have equitable access to quality essential social services for holistic development, including in emergency situations." To achieve this, UNICEF is helping to accelerate progress in four key areas: - Reducing neonatal and infant mortality, the prevalence of chronic malnutrition, and inadequate hygiene and sanitation practices. - Strengthening demand for and equitable access to quality basic education and increasing children's retention in school. - Combating violence and sexual abuse, child marriage, and the economic exploitation of children. - Combating child poverty and destitution. UNICEF Benin has a field presence that enables it to provide the technical assistance and support the community engagement necessary to achieve these results, notably through a central office in Cotonou and two field offices in Natitingou and Parakou. In Benin, UNICEF implements interventions in six of the country's 12 departments: Atacora, Donga, Alibori, Borgou, Couffo, and Zou. UNICEF is also continuing its advocacy, analysis, technical support efforts, particularly in terms of policies and strategies, and youth engagement at the national level, throughout the territory.

Context

In Benin, despite the fact that between 96 and 98% of mothers and caregivers of children aged 0 to 23 months possess in-depth knowledge of best practices in maternal, infant, and young child nutrition (CAP Study, 2021), and despite intensive communication and education activities conducted for mothers and caregivers on good practices in maternal, infant, and young child nutrition in the intervention areas, these activities appear to have had little impact on the ultimate goal of improving diets, which would itself play a significant role in reducing stunting rates (MICS 2021-2022). This demonstrates that knowledge provision and attitudes change remain insufficient to address the issue of child undernutrition in Benin, particularly during the first 1,000 days of a child's life. The UN Volunteer's (UNV) primary role will be to develop innovative, locally based food solutions to improve complementary feeding and dietary diversity for young children aged 6-23 months. This support will be delivered mainly in the communities targeted by the joint WFP- UNICEF project and Japan Natcom programme supporting the project aiming to tackle undernutrition among under 2 children through improved child infant complementary feeding diversity in Benin programme and will facilitate the creation of a peer-learning model to provide practical support to other parents through frequent, easily established, flexible, and supportive interactions. Peer support will focus on food choices, the use of available household foods, and the preparation of age-appropriate meals. During project implementation, each peer support worker will conduct bi-weekly, one-hour visits to five households with at least one child under the age of two.

Task Description

Under the overall supervision of the Nutrition Unit Manager, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: 1. Develop and implement innovative solutions focused on the demand for nutritious food and the production of affordable, nutritious food through interactive activities designed to improve women's knowledge and behaviors regarding complementary feeding for young children. This will be achieved through: Stimulating demand through innovative social approaches by: - Using social media, artists, and online influencers to disseminate information on the importance of balanced nutrition for infants and young children. - Organizing social media challenges to encourage youth participation. 2. Establishment of community workshops for young people, especially young girls: - Pre-selection of the best ideas from the challenges, - Creation of community workshops for the promotion, production, processing, and use of nutritious foods beneficial for young children and preschoolers. - Design of educational games and interactive activities that encourage active learning about nutrition and healthy eating practices in a fun and engaging way. - Use of an integrated approach that includes the use of social media through artists and influencers identified as ambassadors to promote healthy eating practices. 3. Use the peer learning model and "Mother Lights" to improve maternal, infant, and young child nutrition. 4. To propose and develop innovative solutions, with the support of young Beninese people, to provide and disseminate information tailored to target populations on good nutritional practices and the use of local, micronutrient-rich products for young children, as well as engaging games adapted to the theme of complementary foods for young children. RESULTS /EXPECTED OUTPUTS: 1. Improved women's knowledge and behaviors regarding complementary feeding for young children through - Developed and implemented innovative solutions focused on the demand for nutritious food, - Production of affordable, nutritious food through interactive activities designed to improve women's knowledge and behaviors regarding complementary feeding for young children. 2. Increased demand for nutritious and affordable foods and enhanced youth engagement in nutrition initiatives with stimulated demand through innovative social approaches by: - Using social media, artists, and online influencers to disseminate information on the importance of balanced nutrition for infants and young children. - Organizing social media challenges to encourage youth participation. - Young people, particularly girls, actively participate in promoting nutrition through social media, challenges, and community-based activities - The establishment of community workshops for young people, especially young girls: - Pre-selection of the best ideas from the challenges, 3. Educational tools and activities are actively created and promoted - Development of educational games on complementary feeding and healthy diets - Interactive learning activities that promote behavior change in a fun and engaging way 4. Peer learning and Community Support systems models and community capacity for nutrition promotion are strengthened - Development and implementation of peer learning approaches - Establishment and strengthening of “Mothers Lights” (Mères Lumières) groups to support maternal and child nutrition - Communities develop sustainable mechanisms (workshops, peer learning groups) to promote, produce, process and use nutritious foods beneficial for young children and preschoolers. - Improved dissemination of nutrition information 5. Youth-Led innovative nutrition solutions are proposed and developed. - Co-creation of innovative solutions with young people in Benin - Development of tailored communication tools on good nutrition practices - Promotion of local, micronutrient-rich foods products for young children through adapted and engaging games to the theme of complementary foods for young children. 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.

Competencies and values

☒ Adaptability and Flexibility ☒ Commitment and Motivation ☒ Communication ☒ Creativity ☒ Ethics and Values ☒ Planning and Organization ☒ Respect for Diversity ☒ Technology Awareness ☒ Teamwork

Living conditions and remarks

The Republic of Benin is a country located on the west coast of Africa. Its immediate neighbors are Nigeria, Togo, Burkina Faso, and Niger. Living conditions are relatively good. This mission is based in Cotonou, the country's capital. A significant portion of food is imported, but fresh food is readily available in the market. There are regular flights to/from Benin. The official language is French. An entry visa is required for anyone traveling with or without the United Nations laissez-passer and must be obtained before arrival in the country. Furnished or unfurnished houses are available for rent between USD 300 and 500 per month. The national currency is the CFA franc (1 Euro = 655,96 FCFA). Commercial banks exist. VISA credit cards are accepted in some hotels and large stores. Benin has a high incidence of malaria. The use of mosquito nets is highly recommended. Vaccination against yellow fever is required. Other vaccines, such as meningitis and hepatitis B, are also recommended. Basic medicines are available in Cotonou, but it is advisable to bring your specialized medications. The current situation in Benin is relatively calm, with a minimum-security level (SLS 1) according to the United Nations. The Volunteer will be based in Cotonou but will conduct field missions in intervention areas across Benin. As the economic capital and largest city of Benin, Cotonou offers all the usual amenities of large cities (electricity, running water, clinics, hospitals, leisure activities, etc.).