Adolescent Learning 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 United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is one of the world’s largest organization for children. It is the driving force that helps build a world where the rights of every child are realized. It has the global authority to influence decision- makers, and the variety of partners at grassroots level to turn the most innovative ideas into reality. UNICEF upholds the Convention on the Rights of the Child and works to assure equality for those who are discriminated against, girls and women in particular. UNICEF works in 190 countries for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. 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.

UNICEF’s Strategic Plan (2018-2021) articulates prominent and ambitious results for adolescents and demands that UNICEF’s work with adolescents is taken to scale by leveraging commitments to adolescents, strengthening systems that address adolescents’ priorities and mobilizing resources for adolescent programming. Partnering with adolescents and young people as agents of change is a key, cross-sectoral strategy to accelerate programmatic results and support adolescents to civically engage in their societies. UNICEF is keen to strengthen its engagement with adolescents and young people as resources who offer valuable perspectives and insights that contribute to more effective, relevant and sustainable results for children and adolescents in both development and humanitarian settings.

The Adolescent Learning Officer (Nat'l UN Volunteer) will be based in the UNICEF Philippines Manila Office. She/He will work within the Philippines Country Office’s overall programme framework, where adolescent development and participation (ADAP) is a cross-sectoral key priority of the 8th Country Programme that started in 2019. Special focus will be on supporting efforts in strengthening the education sector’s capacity to address adolescent learning needs and concerns. The Education Officer will be under the direct supervision of the Adolescent Development Specialist, but will be expected work closely with other specialists from education, social policy, health, WASH, and child protection.

Purpose for the job: The Education Officer will provide professional technical, operational and administrative assistance throughout the programming process for education programmes/projects within the Country Programme from development planning to delivery of results, preparing, executing, managing and implementing a variety of technical and administrative programme tasks to facilitate programme development, implementation, programme progress monitoring, evaluating and reporting. The post will play a key role in building the counterparts’ capacities in enhancing the access of disadvantaged adolescents to quality alternative learning, including activities related to evidence-generation, policy development, advocacy, and field-level innovations leading to the enhancement of inclusive learning strategies and socio-emotional learning practices, development of work-readiness skills, facilitating meaningful participation among adolescents and young people, and increasing purposive partnerships for adolescent development at the local and national levels.

It is in this light that the Education Section of UNICEF Philippines seeks to engage a National UN Volunteer Specialist that will provide technical inputs, and work with the Education Section members in coordinating the planning, implementation, and monitoring various initiatives focused on adolescent learning.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Adolescent Development Specialist, the National UN Volunteer will:

1. Support to programme development and planning • Contribute to the development and establishment of sectoral programme goals, objectives and strategies and results-based planning through solid and good quality research, collection, analysis and reporting of education and other related information for development planning and goal setting. • Contribute to the development and design of education-related programmes/projects, while ensuring that these are aligned with and will support the achievement of the overall educational goals and targets set forth in Basic Education (Formal Education and Alternative Learning System) policy documents, plans, and programmes. • Provide technical and administrative support throughout all stages of the programming process, within a Results-Based Management framework and aligned with UNICEF policies and processes.
2. Networking and partnership building • Build and sustain effective close working partnerships with government counterparts, research institutes and national and international stakeholders to facilitate programme implementation and build capacity of stakeholders to achieve and sustain results on education programmes. • Execute required tasks in relation to internal contracting/partnership processes • Draft communication and information materials, donor proposals, Terms of Reference, and other partnership documents, as needed.
3. Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results • Work closely and collaboratively with internal colleagues, partners, and contracted individuals/organizations to ensure effective and efficient implementation of programme interventions. Suggest solutions on programme implementation concerns and submit reports for higher-level intervention and/or decisions. • Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews, and annual sectoral reviews with government and other counterparts, contribute to the capacity development of the partners in the above areas. This includes coordinating with the Section’s Programme Assistant in monitoring and reporting on the use of sectoral programme resources (financial, administrative and other assets), verifying compliance with approved allocation, organizational rules, regulations/procedures and donor commitments, standards of accountability and integrity. • Prepare appropriate and relevant documentation (minutes/analytical reports) on proceedings and results for follow-up action by concerned stakeholders. Prepare draft inputs, accurate information and data for programme/donor reporting. Ensure systematic organization of such documentation, for internal records and future reference.
4. Technical and operational support to programme implementation • Contribute as a resource person in capacity building initiatives, especially in the area of adolescent learning and inclusive education to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders. • Undertake field visits as well as gather and share information with stakeholders to assess progress and prepare reports, as appropriate, for timely action to achieve results. • Provide technical and operational support to various partners on the application and understanding of UNICEF policies, strategies, processes, and best practices on education-related issues to support programme implementation, operations and delivery of results.

As an active UNICEF Philippines team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to UNICEF Philippines and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including:

-Develop a workplan encompassing various tasks described above and in close coordination with the Adolescent Development Specialist -Submit a monthly report on accomplishment based on agreed workplan or updated workplan -Produce a Final Report on the overall programme implementation during the period

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNICEF; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNICEF procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; • Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNICEF in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority; • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; • Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. • Communication: good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to communicate and empathize with staff, military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNICEF’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

A minimum of combined five (5) years of work experience in various aspects of education (i.e. teaching and learning, instructional leadership), skills development, and project management. Demonstrated technical writing skills.

• Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills; • Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing; • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development; • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines;

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials.

-National UN Volunteer Specialist receives approximately PHP 36,997.67 as Monthly Living Allowance. -Provided with assignment travel cost and entry lumpsum if applicable. -Enrolled in health, life, disability insurance. -Applicable dependents (primary family unit, up to 3) are eligible for health insurance. -Entitled to annual leave, 2.5 days per month. -Provided with exit lumpsum to support transition at the end of assignment.

For more information about UNV Conditions of Service and Entitlements, please refer to the following:

-https://www.unv.org/become-volunteer/volunteer-your-country -https://www.unv.org/sites/default/files/unvpf/UNVcos2021%20Complete%20hi-res-final_compressed_30.08.2021.pdf