Chief Adolescent Development (Education and Protection), P4, Windhoek, Namibia (For Non-Namibia Nationals only)

Contract

This is a P-4 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 7 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 125,357 USD and 161,621 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

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, safety

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.

While the adolescent period is characterized by a period of heightened vulnerabilities, it also provides a window of opportunity for successful transition to adulthood and equality especially for the most disadvantaged adolescents. Identifying these most disadvantaged adolescents and designing our interventions to address the barriers that limit their fulfilment of rights to development, protection and participation is instrumental to breaking cycles of deprivation and poverty for these adolescents. At the same time, systemic interventions in inclusive education, child and social protection systems are required to ensure the adolescents are able to break cycles of poverty, HIV transmission, and violence, including gender-based violence.

How can you make a difference?

Purpose of the job: The Chief Adolescent Development (Education and Protection) reports to the Deputy Representative for general guidance and direction. The Chief is responsible for managing and supervising all stages of Adolescents, Learning and Protection programmes/projects by providing expert technical advice and operational support to country office colleagues, and internal and external partners and stakeholders to ensure that adolescent development and participation, the right to inclusive education and the right to a protective environment as 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 Chief contributes to the achievement of sustainable and scalable results on adolescent 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. The Chief works cross-sectorally to ensure that participation, quality and inclusive education and child protection are core components of promoting equitable services and an enabling environment for children to thrive. Linkages to health programming and ECD as key determinants for effective adolescent programming require special attention.

Key function, accountabilities and related duties/tasks

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Managerial leadership 2. Country Programme development and planning 3. Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results 4. Advisory services and technical support 5. Advocacy, networking and partnership building 6. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

1. Managerial leadership

Establish the Section’s annual work plan with the Chief Adolescent Development (Education and Protection); set priorities/targets and performance measurement. Monitor work progress and ensure results are achieved according to schedule and performance standards. Maintain the gains made in funding for Education and Education system strengthening and expand these approaches to Adolescent, Learning, Protection and Participation programming.

Establish clear individual performance objectives, goals and timelines; and provide timely guidance to enable the team to perform their duties responsibly and efficiently. Plan and ensure timely performance management and assessment of the Team.

Supervise a team of strong technical experts by providing them with clear objectives and goals, direction and guidance to enable them to perform their duties responsibly, effectively and efficiently.

2. Country Programme planning and development

Design and update the situation analysis and conduct assessments to establish age and sex disaggregated evidence-based data for UNICEF advocacy and development of

policies, frameworks and programmes to promote adolescent development and participation, quality and inclusive education and protection in the country.

Assess national/regional/international development priorities to identify opportunities and strategies and courses of action to enhance the delivery of services and achievement of objectives on adolescent development and participation. Plan and develop an interdisciplinary approach to the programme that includes child protection, quality and inclusive education, HIV/AIDS and adolescent development and participation. Ensuring cross sectoral collaboration and implementation, the Chief will ensure the inclusion of C4D, Gender, Communication, Education, HIV/AIDS, Health, Nutrition, Social policy, WASH, Planning, Emergency and Monitoring & Evaluation to support development of a strategic framework for programmatic focus areas of adolescents, education and protection across all sectors.

Keep abreast of national, regional and international development priorities on adolescent development and participation, education and protection to leverage UNICEF’s position and competencies with donors, national governments, communities and constituents to advocate and promote child rights interventions, policies and social change to achieve goals on adolescent development, participation, quality and inclusive education and protection as productive members of society.

Supervise the development of adolescents, quality and inclusive education and protection programmes/projects (as a full component of the CO and/or UNDAF programmes). Establish plans of action, programme goals and results, using results-based planning methodology and terminology (RBM).

Participate in CO programme formulation, planning and preparation to provide input, advice and operational support on the integration of cross sectoral policies and frameworks that promote adolescent development and participation, learning and protection. This includes the processes of SMR and CPD formulation. Ensure alignment of policies, frameworks and interventions with the UNICEF’s Strategic Plans and coherence/integration with the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), regional strategies and national priorities, plans and competencies.

Establish specific goals, objectives, strategies and implementation plans for adolescent development and participation quality and inclusive education, and protection programmes/projects across all sectors using results-based planning terminology and methodology (RBM). Prepare relevant documentation for programme review and approval.

Work closely and collaboratively with colleagues and partners and stakeholders to discuss strategies and methodologies that enhance the realization of adolescent rights across all sectors and to promote partnerships and alliances on adolescent development and participation, quality and inclusive education and protection, that includes partnerships with adolescents.

Ensure that the voices of adolescents and children are systematically taken into consideration in the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the programme cycle.

Ensure emergency preparedness is contained in national programmes/projects to ensure the protection and well-being of children and adolescents in cases of armed conflict, natural disasters and other emergency situations. through safe and caring child friendly leaning and protection programmes.

3. Programme management, monitoring and quality control of results

Plan and/or collaborate with monitoring and evaluation initiatives to establish age disaggregated benchmarks, performance indicators and other UNICEF/UN system indicators, to assess and strengthen performance accountability, coherence and delivery of sustainable results on adolescent development and participation, inclusive education and protection programmes and projects.

Participate in major monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual reviews with government and other counterparts to assess progress and to engage stakeholders to take required action/interventions to achieve results.

Prepare/assess monitoring and evaluation reports to identify gaps, strengths and weaknesses in programme and management, identify lessons learned and use knowledge gained for development planning and timely intervention to achieve goals.

Plan, monitor and oversee the use of programme resources (financial, human, administrative and other assets) certifying/verifying compliance with organizational rules, regulations and procedures, donor commitments and standards of accountability and integrity. Ensure timely reporting and liquidation of resources.

Provide technical leadership to generate knowledge on the situation of adolescents, support sector specific analysis of data on adolescents and improve utilization of sex and age disaggregated data within UNICEF monitoring and evaluation tools and among partners.

Submit and prepare programme/project reports to donors and other partners to keep them informed on programme progress and critical issues.

4. Advisory services and technical support

Participate in strategic discussions, meetings and other international/national meetings and workshops to provide evidence based papers and inputs on adolescent development and participation, inclusive education and protection to influence policy and agenda setting.

Provide technical advice and guidance to key government officials, NGO, UN system and other country office partners on strategies and best practices and approaches to support programme development, conceptualization, planning, implementation and delivery of results on adolescent development and participation, human and child rights, quality and inclusive education and protection.

Prepare policy papers, briefs and other strategic programme materials for management use, information and consideration in development discussion and planning relating to adolescents, quality and inclusive education and protection.

Provide technical advice to internal sectoral staff and external partners on approaches to enhance adolescents’ participation into the policy, programming and humanitarian interventions.

Coordinate and ensure the availability of technical experts (with Regional Office/HQ) to ensure timely support throughout all stages of programming/project processes.

Lead in country discussions on education and protection components of emergency preparedness, programming and contingency planning to ensure proactive and appropriate response are in place to meet onset of emergencies nationally or other designated locations.

5. Advocacy, networking and partnership building

Lead advocacy drive for adolescent rights and programming within the country office, with other UN and government and non-government partners based on improved evidence and data.

Build and strengthen strategic partnerships through networking and advocacy with local/national governments, UN system agency partners, donors, internationally recognized institutions, NGOs, research institutes, youth led organizations and private sector to reinforce cooperation and/or pursue opportunities to promote goals and achieve sustainable and broad results. Prepare communication strategies and implementation plans and activities for maximum communication impact and outreach to promote awareness, establish partnership/alliances for sustainable results, and support fund raising for UNICEF and Country Office adolescents, education and protection programmes and emergency interventions.

Participate and/or represent UNICEF in inter-agency (UNCT) discussions and planning on adolescent development and participation, inclusive education and protection to ensure organizational position, interests and priorities are fully considered and integrated in the UNDAF development planning and agenda setting process. Collaborate with inter-agency partners/colleagues the UNDAF planning and preparation of programmes/projects including emergency preparedness. Of specific focus is UNICEF’s convening role in the Education sector through the UNPAF where momentum gained in the previous country programme needs to be sustained and expanded to a development partners coordination forum in partnership with the EU.

6. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

Promote, document and disseminate critical thinking, innovative approaches and good practices on adolescent development and participation, quality and inclusive education and protection initiatives through advocacy and technical advisory services.

Keep abreast, research, benchmark, introduce and implement best and cutting-edge practices on adolescent development and participation, inclusive education and protection. Institutionalize and disseminate best practices and knowledge learned to support development, planning, implementation and scale up. Development, implementation, documentation and evaluation of proof of concept approaches and data for development contributing to the work of UNICEF in a middle income country.

Contribute to the development of policies and procedures, and introduce innovation and best practices to ensure optimum efficiency and efficacy of sustainable programmes and projects, which promote the rights of adolescents and enhances their development and participation as active members of society and their community.

Organize/plan/implement capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of a wide range of internal and external partners/stakeholders to achieve sustainable results on adolescent development and participation, quality and inclusive education and protection programmes and initiatives.

Impact of Results

The strategic and effective advocacy, planning and formulation of the adolescents, education and protection programmes/projects and the achievement of concrete and sustainable results from these programmes/projects contribute to the achievement of UNICEF goals and objectives to promote the full development and active participation of adolescents in determining their essential needs, promoting their rights to a safe environment and protecting their right to survival, development and well-being in society. Achievements in adolescent, education and protection programmes and projects in turn contribute to maintaining/enhancing the credibility and ability of UNICEF to provide programme services for mothers and children that promote greater social equality and inclusion in the country.

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

Profile Requirements

Education:

An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: human rights, international development, social sciences, education or related technical field.

Experience:

A minimum of eight years of professional experience in social development planning and management in adolescent development related areas, education or child protection is required.

Experience working in a developing country is required.

Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.

Experience in humanitarian contexts is an added advantage.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language or local language of the duty station is considered as 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: https://uni.cf/UNICEFValues

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 (8) Nurtures, leads and manages people.

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

Remarks:

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’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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.

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.