DUE: 06 APR 2023
Description of assignment title: Adolescent & Youth Engagement Officer
Assignment country: Zimbabwe
Expected start date: 24/04/2023
Sustainable Development Goal: 8. Decent work and economic growth
Volunteer category: National UN Community Volunteer
DoA reserved for persons with disabilities: No
Host entity: UNICEF
Type: Onsite
Expected end date: 23/04/2024
Number of assignments: 1
Duty stations: Harare
Details
Mission and objectives
UNICEF has been operating in Zimbabwe since 1982. We are a team of passionate professionals committed to the protection and fulfilment of children’s rights. The current UNICEF-Government of Zimbabwe Country Programme of Cooperation (2016-2020) aims to support Zimbabwe to sustain and build upon the gains achieved for children during the 2012-2015 Country Programme of Cooperation. The programme focuses on improving the quality of social services, increasing access to services, and helping to build national and sub-national... capacities to provide low-cost, high-impact interventions for all children, especially the most vulnerable.
Context
UNICEF is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to advocate for the protection of children’s rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential. UNICEF is guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child and strives to establish children’s rights as enduring ethical principles and international standards of behaviour towards children.
This UNV Assignment is part of UNICEF Zimbabwe’s interventions in support of the Adolescent and Youth Strategy implementation and will focus on meaningful participation of adolescents and youth. The incumbent shall assist with the U-report program, a proven tool in engaging young people by collecting their opinions based on their lived experience. UNICEF intends to revitalize the program by engaging and reengaging U-reporters for systematic and meaningful participation. In addition to the U-report program, UNICEF Zimbabwe has constituted an Adolescents and Youth Advisory Committee (AYAC), an all-inclusive adolescent and youth driven body mandated to provide advisory services as UNICEF programs for and with adolescents. The incumbent shall also assist with the coordination of AYAC’s activities.
UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for UN Volunteers with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process and afterwards in your assignment.
Task description
Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Chief of HIV & Adolescent Development & Participation, or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV – Adolescent & Youth
Engagement Officer will:
A. Assist with the planning, monitoring and reporting of the U Report Initiative for systematic and meaningful engagement of adolescents and youth
Tasks:
• Support in managing and scheduling polling questions in liaison with section colleagues, other sections and stakeholders
• Manage U report poll calendar, aligning with key global and national advocacy dates
• Monitor U-Report initiatives on daily basis through review of incoming messages, feedback, consultative meetings and/or exchange of information with partners/stakeholders to assess progress, identify bottlenecks and potential problems and take timely actions to resolve issues and/or refer to relevant officials for timely resolution.
• Create complaint and feedback mechanism through U-Report.
• In close liaison with T4D section, analyse polls for feedback and publication to u reporters, partners and media
• Manage U report social media (facebook, whatsapp) to maintain user engagement with trending issues, regular updates including polls and respond to non technical comments
• Participate in regional and global u report initiatives for positioning the ZCO U report initiative and learning
• Ensure relevant stakeholders are engaged and kept up to date (children and youth, media, government ministries, private sector, CSOs, UN
B. Support the operations of the UNICEF Adolescents and Youth Advisory Committee (AYAC) to ensure meaningful and effective engagement
Tasks:
• Lead in the drafting/development of calendar of activities in close consultation with AYAC members
• Identify AYAC capacity development needs and come up structured capacity development plan
• Provide admin and logistical support for quarterly and ad hoc AYAC meetings, and other related engagements
• Supporting AYAC members in report writing and providing feedback to UNICEF management
• Lead on planning, developing and producing the schedules of the AYAC
• Facilitate routine engagements between the AYAC and UNICEF programme section teams
C. Networking and Coordination
Tasks:
• Help in the establishment and nurturing of positive working partnerships with government ministries, private sector, and CSOs to achieve and sustain results on adolescent and youth participation
• Participate in relevant meetings and for a for better coordination and management adolescent and youth participation programmes
• Research and recommend on innovative strategies to grow U Report membership.
Eligibility criteria
Age: 18 – 80
Nationality
Candidate must be a national or legal resident of the country of assignment.
Requirements
Required experience
1 years of experience in Youth Participation and Engagement programmes.
• Voluntary service, community engagement or related work experience essential
• Experience with U-report platform will be considered an advantage.
• Skills in community development; adolescent and youth engagement
• Good oral and written communication skills;
• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners and young people in their diversity, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels;
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office package
Area(s) of expertise: Community development, Development programmes
Languages
English, Level: Working knowledge, Required
Shona, Level: Working knowledge, Desirable
Sindebele, Level: Working knowledge, Desirable
Required education level
Secondary education
Competencies and values
• Accountability
• Adaptability and flexibility
• Creativity
• Judgement and decision-making
• Planning and organising
• Professionalism
• Self-management
Other information
Living conditions and remarks
As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials.
The contract lasts for the period indicated above with possibility of extensions subject to availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectation of renewal of the assignment. The HIV/AIDS and Adolescent Development section of UNICEF Zimbabwe has a worth of experience and expertise in working with young people. The section provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness and professionalism. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to work in a challenging but emotionally rewarding environment is essential
Inclusivity statement
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
Reasonable accommodation
UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for UN Volunteers with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process and afterwards in your assignment.
Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements
In addition to duty station-specific vaccine requirements, appointments are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the appointment. It does not apply to UN Volunteers who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their contracts.
TO APPLY
Click here to apply
Harare Zimbabwe