Adolescent Development Specialist at UNICEF

Under the supervision of the Deputy Representative, the Specialist provides support to country office colleagues and internal and external partners and stakeholders throughout the programming processes by providing technical, administrative and operational support to ensure that adolescent development and participation and child rights established under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, international treaties/framework and UN intergovernmental bodies, are integrated in UNICEF’s advocacy, policies, programmes and humanitarian work

Support to programmes development and planning

• Update the situation analysis by conducting assessments to establish evidence-based data for UNICEF advocacy and development of policies, framework and programmes to promote adolescent development and participation in the country and for monitoring results on related programmes/projects
• Assess national/regional/international development priorities to identify opportunities and courses of action to enhance the delivery of services and achieve objectives on adolescent development and participation in the country
• Participate throughout the process of CO programme formulation, planning and preparation to provide input, advice and operational support on the integration of policies and frameworks that promote adolescent development and participation and to ensure that crosscutting issues such as gender, disabilities, the rights of minority and marginalized groups are considered and integrated within the country programmes and projects
• Establish specific goals, objectives, strategies and implementation plans for the adolescent development programmes/projects using results-based planning terminology and methodology (RBM). Prepare relevant documentations for programme review and approval
• Work closely and collaboratively with colleagues and partners to discuss methodologies and to assess national priorities/competencies to ensure the achievement of concrete and sustainable results.

Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results

• Plan and/or collaborate with internal and external partners to establish monitoring benchmarks, performance indicators and other UNICEF/UN system indicators and measurements to assess and strengthen performance accountability, coherence and delivery of sustainable results on adolescent development programmes and projects
• Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual reviews with government and other counterparts to assess progress and to determine required action/interventions to achieve results
• Prepare/assess monitoring and evaluation reports to identify gaps, strengths/weaknesses in programme and management, identify lessons learned and use knowledge gained for development planning and timely intervention to achieve goals
• Actively monitor adolescent development programmes/projects through field visits, surveys and/or exchange of information with partners/stakeholders to assess progress, identify bottlenecks, and take timely decisions to resolve issues and/or refer to relevant officials for timely resolution
• Monitor and verify the optimum/appropriate use of programme resources (financial,administrative and other assets) confirming compliance with organizational rules, regulations/procedures and donor commitments, standards of accountability, integrity and ensuring timely reporting and liquidation of resources
• Prepare regular/mandated programme/project reports for management, donors and partners to keep them informed of programme progress

Technical and operational support to programme implementation

• Provide technical guidance and operational support to government counterparts, NGO partners, UN system partners and country office partners/donors on policies, practices and methodologies on adolescent development and participation to support programme management, implementation and delivery of results
• Participate in programme meetings including programme development and contingency planning to provide technical and operational information, advice and support
• Draft relevant policy papers, briefs and other strategic programme materials for management use, information and/or consideration

Networking and partnership building

• Build and sustain effective close working partnerships with relevant government counterparts, national stakeholders and global partners/allies/donors/academia through active networking, advocacy and effective communication to build capacity, exchange knowledge/expertise and to reinforce cooperation to achieve sustainable and broad results on adolescent development and participation initiatives
• Prepare communication and information materials for programme advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnerships/alliances and to ensure that adolescent development and participation programmes and initiatives are adequately resourced and supported
• Participate and/or represent UNICEF in appropriate inter-agency (UNCT) discussions and planning on adolescent development related issues to collaborate with inter-agency partners/colleagues on UNDAF planning and preparation of programmes/projects ensuring organizational position, interests and priorities are fully considered and integrated in the UNDAF process

Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Apply/introduce innovative approaches and good practices on adolescent development and participation to build the capacity of partners and stakeholders and to support the implementation and delivery of concrete and sustainable programme results
• Keep abreast, research, benchmark and implement best practices on adolescent development and participation. Assess, institutionalize and share best practices and knowledge learned
• Contribute to the development and implementation of policies and procedures to ensure optimum efficiency and efficacy of sustainable programmes and projects
• Organize and implement capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders to promote sustainable results on related programmes/projects.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: anthropology, psychology, sociology, education or another relevant technical field
• A minimum of five years of professional experience in social development planning and management in adolescent development related areas is required. Experience working in a developing country is considered as an asset. Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset
• Fluency in English. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language (asset).

Deadline: 03 Oct 2022