Adolescent Development/Skills Officer, NOB (Temporary Appointment for 6 months with possible extension), Baku, Azerbaijan #122141 (only for nationals of Azerbaijan)

Contract

This is a NO-2 contract. This kind of contract is known as National Professional Officers. It is normally only for nationals. It's a staff contract. More about NO-2 contracts.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, development

The Adolescent and Youth Development Programme and the Education Programme under the 2021-2025 Country Programme will support and contribute to the human capital development in Azerbaijan so that by 2025, adolescent girls and boys, especially the most vulnerable, are benefiting from improved skills-driven formal and non-formal education systems, a strengthened protective environment from all forms of violence, exploitation and abuse, and increased opportunities for maximizing their wellbeing, civic engagement and participation for a smooth transition to adulthood. Adolescents and young people will be supported with the necessary foundational knowledge and transferrable skills that equip them for further education, training and employment, through the strengthening of capacities amongst educators, trainers and institutions in the formal and non-formal education system to deliver effective, quality skill-based education, linked to the needs of the labour market.

How can you make a difference?

Under the guidance and supervision of the UNICEF Adolescent Development Specialist and Education Specialist, in coordination with UNICEF Deputy Representative, other relevant UNICEF staff and in partnership with national partners, local authorities, CSOs and other relevant national and local stakeholders, the Adolescent Development and Participation (ADAP)/Skills Officer will support the delivery and acceleration of the UNICEF’s Adolescent and Youth Development Programme in Azerbaijan, contributing to delivery of the designated programme results under the new Country Programme for Azerbaijan 2021-2025. The post will also support the Skills and Climate Change related programming under the Education Programme.

Major duties and responsibilities:

1. Provide technical assistance and support to UNICEF to implement programme priorities in the area of adolescent and youth development and engagement, including:

• supporting the national networks of Youth Houses, Youth Development and Career Centres and the school system to expand basic life skills, career counselling, job orientation, digital literacy/Science Technology, Engineering and Mathematics for girls and social entrepreneurship programmes to young people aged 12-24 to equip them for future employability.
• strengthening youth participation in local decision-making through scaling up youth advisory councils at the subnational level;
• strengthening of relevant models and platforms to actively support civic engagement, involvement in local governance, gender equality and mental health promotion, innovation and youth participation in climate change as well as research and policy strengthening;

2. Provide technical assistance and support to UNICEF in the programme activities for enhancing skills of children, adolescents and youth under the Adolescent and Youth Development and Education programmes, including skills for work and life; skills for work will include partnership with government and non-government organizations to equip adolescents and young people with disabilities with skills facilitating their employment opportunities.

3. Provide technical assistance and operational support to in the Adolescent and Youth Development and Education programmes of UNICEF and the national partners in programming and delivery of relevant results in the area of Climate Change and Environmental Education through relevant programmatic interventions;

4. Provide technical assistance and operational support to in the Adolescent and Youth Development and Education programmes of UNICEF and the national partners in programming and delivery of relevant results in the area of Gender through relevant programmatic interventions;

5. Support the engagement with children, adolescent and young people on innovation and skill development, including those from especially vulnerable groups, such as adolescents and young people with disabilities. Support the development of advocacy materials related to adolescents and young people as well as the development and/or adaptation of adolescent-friendly materials;

6. Carry out project monitoring and quality assurance. Support with the preparation of reports and documentation of UNICEF Country Office initiatives as relevant;

7. Other assigned tasks, as needed.

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

• A Bachelor Degree in one of the following fields is required: anthropology, psychology, sociology, education or another relevant technical field. Master’s Degree in the mentioned fields will be an additional added value for a candidate applied for the position.
• At least two years of professional experience in the areas of social development planning and management, youth policy, adolescent development and participation, education;
• Contextual knowledge of government structure and functioning, as well as understanding and experience with national policy planning and implementation processes;
• Ability setting challenging goals and striving to reach the goals in collaboration with government partners;
• Proven experience in research/survey development, implementation and analysis is an asset;
• Ability to work in a team with tight deadlines;
• Availability for local travel in Azerbaijan;
• Familiarity with UNICEF’s mission and mandate;
• Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset;
• Excellent English and Azerbaijani communication, writing and analytical skills.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: https://uni.cf/UNICEFValues

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

• Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (Level 1)
• Builds and maintains partnerships (Level 1)
• Drives to achieve results for impact (Level 1)
• Innovates and embraces change (Level 1)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (Level 1)
• Works collaboratively with others (Level 1)
• Thinks and Acts strategically (Level 1)

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

This position has been assessed as an elevated risk role for Child Safeguarding purposes as it is either: a role with direct contact with children, works directly with child, is a safeguarding response role or has been assessed as an elevated risk role for child safeguarding. Additional vetting and assessment for elevated risk roles in child safeguarding (potentially including additional criminal background checks) applies.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.