Adolescent Development and Participation Officer

Contract

This is a UNV National Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Specialist contracts.

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 favoritism. 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.

UNICEF in Armenia provides technical support to national partners both in development and humanitarian settings with a view towards: (a) expanding the choice of possible learning pathways, including through innovative methods and technologies, and (b) bringing in new topics, such as climate change adaptation, community resilience, environmental sustainability, STEAM, mental health and psychosocial support, cybersecurity – online safety,, girls education, that can potentially be the focus of adolescents’ non-formal learning experiences Intensive partnership with local, national, international (including UN) partners and private organizations is key in ensuring synchronized and targeted response to the needs of adolescents in general, adolescents and young people from difficult backgrounds, with disabilities, displaced and others.

In addition to the general needs, since the end of September 2023, more than 100,000 ethnic Armenians, including 30,000 children have sought refuge in Armenia, leaving behind their homes, schools, and everything familiar to them.

Children, adolescents, and young people bear the heaviest toll of humanitarian crises. Access to services including psychosocial support, education, nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene, and child protection is critical to ensuring children can get the support they need and overcome the distress caused by displacement. This comes on top of pre-existing situations of vulnerability among children and their families, including difficulty in accessing quality and comprehensive basic social services and poverty. UNICEF has been operating in the country in different modalities and in several sectors (health and nutrition, education, child protection, and social protection, disaster risk reduction) since the early 90s and has continued to do so during and after the recent crisis. Typically, adolescence is a period of life that is often characterized by change and uncertainty and this moment of intense crisis can be particularly detrimental in this age group. Therefore, there is need to intensify some of the UNICEF interventions focused on adolescent engagement.

Considering the expanded and continuously evolving needs and vulnerabilities among adolescents, and young people, both from the displaced population and host communities, UNICEF is seeking the services of a National UN Volunteer Specialist to support the ADAP team and contribute to the implementation of Adolescent programming both in development and humanitarian settings.

Under the supervision and guidance of the supervisor, the ADAP National UN Volunteer Specialist supports the ADAP section by carrying out a range of programme support and technical functions to help develop, implement and monitor their response programming, ensuring effective and timely delivery that is consistent with UNICEF rules and regulations.

The ADAP National UN Volunteer Specialist works in close collaboration with a range of staff in the country office, external partners and agency counterparts in support of programme design, delivery and monitoring. S/He provides regular feedback on the status of projects through monitoring milestones and advises on improvements to keep activities on track.

Broad summary of key functions/accountabilities:

• Facilitating the development of programme cooperation agreements (PCAs), programme documents (PDs) by providing information and drafting selected sections of it.

• As needed, contribute to ensuring the timely and accurate recording and administrative processing of government, NGO’s and partners’ proposals and requests for partnerships.

• Conducting emergency and development programme monitoring for UNICEF supported programmes and interventions.

• Helping conduct regular programme visits - of partner’s projects to assess their financial record-keeping, expenditure controls and reporting systems.

• Monitoring and tracking the efficient distribution of supplies that are required for effective programme delivery.

• Drafting communication and information materials for CO ADAP programme advocacy to promote awareness

• Participating in relevant meetings/events on programming to collaborate with partners/colleagues

• Working closely with youth NGOs, youth groups to identify possible areas of partnership

• Supporting the programme section in researching, compiling and analyzing qualitative and quantitative data and information from a variety of sources on subject matters relevant to the work of the section to facilitate programme delivery as well as preparation of reports, working papers and presentations.

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Value - https://www.unicef.org/careers/get-prepared#Values

/ of administrative or clerical work experience is required. • Prior experience in programme support functions is an asset. • Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.. • 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. • Excellent oral and written communication skills in English required, with the ability to prepare notes and summaries. • Knowledge of the Armenian language is required

As of July 2024, National UN Volunteer Specialists in Armenia receive AMD 378,365/month as their Volunteer Living Allowance. Other benefits and entitlements include:

1. Pre-assignment: Entry lump sum - USD 400 (one time payment) Relocation costs - $200 at beginning and end of assignment if duty station is outside of commuting distance (as determined by UNV)

2. During assignment: Volunteer living allowance - AMD 378365.24 (as mentioned above) Learning - Access to UNV's learning and career development resources Annual leave - 2.5 days per month Insurance - Comprehensive coverage for health, life and malicious acts for the UN Volunteer and health insurance coverage for up to 3 eligible dependents . See the Conditions of Service for more details on eligibility criteria.

3. End of assignment: Exit allowance (paid on successful completion of the assignment)

The above summary is provided as information only and is subject to change. For further information on the full range of entitlements and eligibility criteria, please read the UN Volunteer Conditions of Service