Adolescent Development Specialist (Health and Well-being), NO-C, UNICEF Thailand Country Office, Bangkok, Thailand (Thai Nationals Only), Job No

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, better future.

Learn about what we do to create a fair chance for every child in Thailand, click here.

How can you make a difference?

The ADAP Specialist (Health and Wellbeing) will report to the Chief of ADAP for guidance and general supervision. The Specialist will coordinate the implementation of Output 1 of the Young People’s Resilience, Connectedness and Empowerment Programme: By 2026, national and local capacities are strengthened for the equitable provision of integrated packages of health and wellbeing services for young people. Specifically, the staff member will be responsible for the management, implementation, monitoring, reporting, and evaluation of the adolescent health programme of the Thailand Country Office. In particular, s/he will lead the work on adolescent mental health, adolescent nutrition and sexual and reproductive health. Working in close partnership with government partners, CSOs, external partners (consultants and institutional contractors) and Thailand Country Office staff from different programmes, the Specialist will provide technical guidance and management support. S/he contributes to the achievement of results according to plans, allocation, results based-management approaches and methodology (RBM), and UNICEF’s Strategic Plans, standards of performance and accountability framework.

Major Responsibilities

1. Support to programmes development and planning on Adolescent Health and Well-being.

• 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, with a focus on Adolescent Health and Well-being 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 focusing Adolescent Health and Well-being 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 focusing Adolescent Health and Well-being 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 focusing Adolescent Health and Well-being 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 - Adolescent Health and Well-being

• 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 focusing Adolescent Health and Well-being.
• 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 focusing Adolescent Health and Well-being 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 - Adolescent Health and Well-being

• 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 focusing Adolescent Health and Well-being 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 – for Adolescent Health and Well-being programming

• 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 focusing Adolescent Health and Well-being.

• 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 focusing Adolescent Health and Well-being 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 in development planning and agenda setting including emergency preparedness.

5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building - focusing Adolescent Health and Well-being

• Apply/introduce innovative approaches and good practices on adolescent development and participation focusing Adolescent Health and Well-being 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 on Adolescent Health and Well-being.

• 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…

Education:

• An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: public health, psychology, sociology, education or another relevant technical field.

Work Experience:

• A minimum of five years of professional experience in social development planning and management in adolescent development
• Previous professional experience in adolescent health (sexual and reproductive health, mental health, and nutrition)
• Previous professional experience in working with government partners
• 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 and Computer literacy:

• Fluency in English (valid TOEIC score of at least 855: Listening and Reading section) and Thai is required.
• Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is an asset.

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…

• Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (1)
• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (2)
• Works Collaboratively with others (2)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (2)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (2)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (2)
• Drive to achieve impactful results (2)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)

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

Successful candidate will be offered an attractive remuneration package under the UN system.

Only shortlisted candidates with pre-screening according to child safeguarding will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Please send application no later than 1 November 2023.

For gender balance in the workforce, male qualified candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

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 make sure you and your loved ones receive the resources and care that you need to thrive. Our offer includes a wide range of benefits to our staff, including reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. Our contracts, wellbeing policies and initiatives ensure that you are well equipped to effectively deliver for children such as;

• Annual leave, Family emergency leave, Sick leaves, maternity, paternity, adoption leave, medical and dental insurance, pension.
• Career support, learning and capacity development, staff wellbeing programme including mental health, breastfeeding policy, flexible work arrangements, family support, and security etc.

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:

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable male candidates are highly 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.