Integrated Adolescent Programme Officer

Volunteering Communications & PR Teaching & Training Programme & Policy

Overview

Support implementation of integrated adolescent programs in Zambia.

You have:

• Demonstrated experience in project development, management or coordination.
• Experience with adolescents’ engagement and participation.
• Experience with digital platforms and/or social media an asset.
• Demonstrated interest and knowledge of social issues, policies and programmes related to adolescent girls.
• Excellent oral and written skills;
• 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;
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment;
• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel;
• Self-motivated, ability to work independently; ability to work with tight deadlines;
• Experience working at a UN agency or other international development organizations an asset.

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.

According to the 2022 Zambian Population Census, adolescents make up nearly a quarter (25%) of the total population. Recognizing that adolescence offers a second chance to influence developmental trajectories, compensate for poor childhood experiences, and facilitate productive transitions, investment in adolescents' health, rights, and development by the government and key stakeholders can yield triple benefits: today, into adulthood, and for the next generation of children. Adolescents can act as changemakers and advocates in their communities, further strengthening their ability to advance human rights and build a bright future for themselves, their families, and their countries. When adolescent girls and boys, including the most disadvantaged, are supported and encouraged by caring and nurturing adults, along with good policies and services that are attentive and responsive to their needs and capacities, they can develop their full potential and break the cycle of poverty, discrimination, and violence.

For many years, UNICEF Zambia has collaborated with the Government of Zambia to support integrated adolescent programming. In secondary education, our priorities include keeping girls in school, ensuring safe learning environments, and enhancing access to alternative and flexible learning pathways, recognizing the significant benefits of continued education. Building on the Girls2030 initiative, we strengthen the connections between education, child protection, and health. We also provide life skills, career education, and access to digital learning resources through the Learning Passport Zambia. Additionally, we enhance educators' skills in blended learning to better integrate technology into the classroom.

While notable gains have been observed, adolescents in Zambia face multiple adversities that put them at risk of poor developmental outcomes e.g., 28 % of the pregnant women are adolescents; 29% of females are married by age 18 compared to 2.8 males; 40.4% of girls completed Grade 12 compared to 43.7% of boys; 468,149 children and adolescents are Out of School Children (325,691,M, 142,458, F); 20.9% of adolescents aged 15–19 years experienced physical violence as well as other forms of violence since the age of fifteen. When adolescents face challenges such as early pregnancy, early marriage, and violence, their ability to learn and acquire essential skills is significantly hindered. These vulnerabilities disrupt their educational journey and impede their development, making it difficult for them to transition smoothly from learning to earning.

The Officer will mainly support the implementation of the integrated adolescent programme in Lusaka, Katete and Kasenengwa, support adolescent development empowerment interventions under EU Human Development Programme and UNICEF support to the Ministry of Education (MoE) to expand school connectivity and access to digital learning. The UNV will also be responsible for local level cross-sectoral coordination and capacity-building efforts to lead the programme to success.

Main Tasks • Assist the UNICEF Zambia Country Office Technical Team in supporting government at national & local level; Including NGOs, implementing Partners and communities; to adopt and implement integrated adolescent programmes and interventions. • Undertake regular field programme monitoring visits to integrate adolescent programmes and interventions and assist in documenting key findings and recommendations drawn from the field visit reports. • Assist in tracking the implementation of the recommendations of the field monitoring visits to improve the quality of integrated adolescent programmes and interventions. • Support data generation and utilization to support programme management and programme monitoring (includes providing support to evidence generation on digital learning and Offline Hubs). • Advocacy and Engagement – Support Learning Passport advocacy and engagement aimed increasing awareness and use of the Learning Passport to enhance education outcomes. • Provide support to the coordination of participation activities of out-of-school adolescent girls in digital learning initiatives. • In consultation with the Education Specialist (supervisor) develop and implement a learning plan to support her/his growth and development.

• Communication • Integrity • Teamwork • Planning and organizing

• Demonstrated experience in project development, management or coordination. • Experience with adolescents’ engagement and participation. • Experience with digital platforms and/or social media an asset; • Demonstrated interest and knowledge of social issues, policies and programmes related to adolescent girls; • Excellent oral and written skills; • 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; • Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; • Ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel; • Self-motivated, ability to work independently; ability to work with tight deadlines; • Experience working at a UN agency or other international development organizations an asset.

Zambia is a land-linked, resource-rich country with sparsely populated land in the centre of Southern Africa. It shares its border with eight countries (Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe) that serve as an expanded market for its goods.

Lusaka is the capital of the Republic of Zambia. The climate is sunny and temperate, but it can be very cold during few months, with freezing temperature at times especially during the night. It is therefore advisable to bring warm clothing and foresee using heaters and other heating options when necessary. As the commercial and cultural centre of Zambia, Lusaka has seen rapid development in recent decades, with reasonable transportation connections and widely spoken English making the city highly attractive to vacationers and experts alike. Unemployment and poverty are issues in the city, and beyond. Key industries for the region and Zambia as a whole, include mining, agriculture, and tourism. Like most Southern African cities, life in Lusaka will require some adjustments for a person moving from outside the region, but the potential rewards and opportunities for experiences are well worth the effort.

Lusaka hosts several international organization and embassies/diplomatic missions, therefore there is a very large community of expatriates from around the world. Housing is most of the time readily available and of good standard options are available. Most foodstuffs, beverages, household goods, furniture, and clothing, mostly imported from South Africa, Europe, and China while some ranges of local brands are available at a competitive price to imports. Meat, fish, fresh fruits, and vegetables are reasonably priced and abundantly available.

The basic infrastructures roads, utilities, and telecommunications are of reasonable standard, although the city experiences power outages from time to time. Medical facilities are still largely inadequate, although several private clinics and hospitals provide reasonably good routine care. Several restaurants around the city serve local or international cuisine and there are numerous social and sports facilities (fitness, tennis, swimming, riding, golf, etc.) in the major hotels or in different establishments around the city. There are no major or special security concerns within Lusaka city limits. For more information, please visit http://zambiatourism.com.

Apply now

Potential interview questions

Added 11 months ago - Updated 10 months ago - Source: unv.org