Adolescent Development Specialist, Fixed-Term Appointment, NOC, Windhoek, Namibia (For Namibia Nationals only)

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Application deadline 9 months ago: Sunday 18 Jun 2023 at 21:55 UTC

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Contract

This is a NO-3 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-3 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, good health

Organizational Context and Purpose for the job

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. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill 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.

How can you make a difference?

Purpose for the job

The Adolescent Development Specialist (HIV/AIDS) reports to the Chief Adolescent Development (Education and Protection), P-4, for guidance and general supervision. 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. The Specialist will also contribute to UNICEF's technical leadership on HIV and AIDS in Namibia, a high prevalence, globally important country for HIV epidemic control.

The Specialist contributes to achievement of concrete and sustainable results on adolescent development related programmes/projects according to plans, allocation, results based-management approaches and methodology (RBM) and UNICEF’s Strategic Plans, standards of performance and accountability framework.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities: 1. Support to programmes development and planning 2. Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results 3. Technical and operational support to programme implementation 4. Networking and partnership building 5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

1. Support to programmes development and planning

  • Update the situation analysis by conducting assessments, focusing on HIV and AIDS related issues, 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 particular on HIV and AIDS related issues, 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 programmes/projects, policies and frameworks that promote adolescent development and participation, in particular for HIV-related, 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 (in particular for adolescent HIV and AIDS) 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.

2. 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 and HIV/AIDS related 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 and HIV/AIDS related 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.

3. 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 adolescent development and participation, in particular for HIV and AIDS related, 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.

4. 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, including those related to HIV.
  • 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 adolescent development and HIV/AIDS related issues to collaborate with inter-agency partners/colleagues on UNPAF planning and preparation of programmes/projects ensuring organizational position, interests and priorities are fully considered and integrated in the UNPAF process in development planning and agenda setting including emergency preparedness.

5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

  • Apply/introduce innovative approaches and good practices on adolescent development and participation, with a focus on HIV and AIDS related, 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, focusing on HIV and AIDS related. 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.

Impact of Results

The strategic and effective advocacy, planning and formulation of adolescent development and participation programme, with a focus on HIV prevention and treatment for ALHIV, and the achievement of concrete and sustainable results from these programmes contribute to the achievement of UNICEF goals in the country to promote the full and active participation of adolescents in determining their essential needs, promoting their rights to a safe environment and protecting their rights to survival, development and well-being in society. This in turn contributes to maintaining/enhancing the credibility and ability of UNICEF to provide programme services for mothers and children that promotes greater social equality and inclusion in the country.

Competencies and level of proficiency required:

Core Values: Commitment Diversity and inclusion Integrity

Core competencies: Communication (II) Working with people (II) Drive for results (II)

Functional Competencies: Leading and supervising (I) Formulating strategies and concepts (II) Analyzing (III) Relating and networking (II) Deciding and Initiating action (II) Applying technical expertise (III)

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

Recruitment Qualifications

Education: An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: public health, adolescent health, anthropology, psychology, sociology, education, global/international health, international development studies, or another relevant technical field.

Experience: A minimum of five years of professional experience in social development planning and management in adolescent development and participation related areas is required. Further professional experience in public Health, HIV/AIDS planning and management and/or in relevant areas of health care specifically sexual reproductive health, HIV, life skills education and comprehensive sexuality education at an international level is highly desirable.

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.

Language Requirements: Fluency in English and a local language of the duty station is required.

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: UNICEF Values

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships (2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (3) Drive to achieve results for impact (4) Innovates and embraces change (5) Manages ambiguity and complexity (6) Thinks and acts strategically (7) Works collaboratively with others.

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:a role with direct contact with children, works directly with children, is a safeguarding response role. Additional vetting and assessment for elevated risk roles in child safeguarding (potentially including additional criminal background checks) applies.

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable people with disability and people from marginalized communities are encouraged to apply.

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.

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

Added 9 months ago - Updated 9 months ago - Source: unicef.org