Programme Officer

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Application deadline 10 months ago: Wednesday 3 May 2023 at 00:00 UTC

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This is a UNV National Youth contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Youth contracts.

In recent years, UNICEF’s work to support the unique needs of young people has gained momentum, as the challenges facing them have come more sharply into view. UNICEF is committed to deliver for all children and adolescents through its overall impact goal of ‘realizing the rights of every child, especially the most disadvantaged.

Building on the current work with, and for, adolescents, in line with the United Nations Youth Strategy, UNICEF is developing a new global partnership, Generation Unlimited (GenU), which is dedicated to expanding opportunity for young people from ages 10 to 24 years. Maximizing the potential of the United Nations system, Governments, Civil Society Organizations and the private sector, and of young people themselves, GenU is focused on finding new ways to ensure that every young person is in school, undergoing formal or informal learning or training, or is employed by 2030. The focus will be on reaching those in the greatest danger of being left behind: including girls, the poor, young people with disabilities or on the move, or affected by conflict and natural disasters.

The India version of GenU has been named YuWaah! It signifies catalytic partnerships to unleash the potential of adolescents and young people. YuWaah has been designed to allow co-creation of solutions that are relevant and scalable for ensuring that young people in India have opportunity and choices for learning; have avenues and spaces for functional and vocational training, and can choose between employment and entrepreneurship which are accessible locally.

In Jan 2020, YuWaah, in consultation with the Government of Punjab, set up a working group to assess the challenges and needs of young people in Punjab. The working group engaged with young people from diverse backgrounds through physical visits, and in-person meetings and focus group discussions. These young people highlighted problems like widespread drug-addiction, growing depression among youth, crimes against girls/women, lack of work and income opportunities, mass migration of youth, and farming being unremunerative and unattractive. At the same time, the working group also noticed undying enthusiasm, positivity, boldness and courage among these young people – and most importantly, solid determination to solve their own problems. There is a massive potential for young people in Punjab to take ownership and participate in change.

Accordingly, YuWaah, supported by the Government of Punjab and UNICEF, began to build a roadmap to mobilise a multi-sectoral coalition of organisations to leverage and catapult Punjabi youth’s inherent strengths – boldness, courage and entrepreneurship – and connect at least 100,000 young people (10-24 years) across 23 districts with aspirational socio-economic opportunities and relevant skills to further their active and civic citizenship. Thus began the Pride of Punjab partnership which works across the Departments of Sports and Youth Services, School Education, Employment Generation and Training/Punjab Skill Development Mission etc. in the Government of Punjab to enable pathways for economic opportunities, facilitate career guidance and 21st century skilling, and support youth leadership and civic engagement for young people in Punjab.

The UN Volunteer will be placed with UNICEF in Chandigarh. The UNV will support the “Pride of Punjab” campaign related planning, communication with key partners (including the Government of Punjab, CSOs, other UN agencies, private sector organizations and young people) and knowledge management. Furthermore, she/he will provide support to initiatives under the “Pride of Punjab” campaign, ranging across government partnerships, partnerships with NGO and private sector partners, monitoring programme implementation, and communication. She/he will have interaction and coordination with NGOs, Government and UNICEF sections/state offices.

Under the overall guidance of the Chief of ADAP and GenU and functional supervision of Chief Operating Officer of YuWaah, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

I) Convening and coordination of the “Pride of Punjab” alliance •Support the planning, execution and monitoring of all Pride of Punjab interventions, with a focus on maximizing results for young people; •Onboarding and management of the coalition of Partners working on the Pride of Punjab Campaign; •Ensuring youth centrality and engagement with most marginalized youth in programme design and implementation, along with emphasis on facilitating innovative, scalable programming; •Vetting interventions proposed by partners basis YuWaah and UNICEF’s organizational principles; •Engagement with key Government Departments of the Government of Punjab to facilitate partnerships and interventions, including formalization of partnerships, nudging programme implementation and jointly monitoring results. Also developing partnerships with other Government/quasi-government agencies e.g. NSS Regional Directorate, RGNIYD, NSDC etc.; •Building a network of CSO and NGO partners to support programmes launched in the state. Facilitating the capacity building of CSO partners as well as government officials, apart from young people, to enable system strengthening in alignment with YuWaah’s overall goals and vision; •Regular collaboration and reporting on the status of partnerships and programmes to all Pillar teams (Economic Opportunities, Skills for Life and Livelihood, and Civic Engagement and Youth Innovation) along with Communications, Partnerships and M&E teams at YuWaah with a focus on contextualizing interventions to the landscape of Punjab; •Raise risks and challenges in a timely manner and supporting the mitigation of the same;

II) Knowledge Management, Report & Proposal Writing •Contribute to development and dissemination of newsletters, documentation of meetings; •Develop/collect case studies and human-interest stories from field/partners; •Prepare status updates; •Assist in drafting briefing notes, talking points, funding proposals, presentations and donor reports; •Ensure quality assurance of documentation being shared with partners; •Contribute to the planning and review of work plans and other strategic and programme documents;

Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

Results/expected outputs: As an active UNICEF team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to UNICEF and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including: •Innovative and scalable solutions available for investments and scale up under pillar 1, 2 and 3 thematic areas •Improved monitoring systems and advocacy for “Pride of Punjab” campaign: Robust data base on relevant indicators around the campaign, recommendations and challenges in implementing campaign available •Data, case studies and human interest stories available to promote evidence-based best practices •Enhanced participation of State offices, UN agencies, partner organization and young people regularly in GenU/YuWaah initiatives on skills for life and livelihoods for young people •Best practices integrated into work plans, reports, proposals, monitoring and evaluation •Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment •A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed.

•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; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; •Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNICEF in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; 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 operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; 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; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; •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; •Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities; •Communication: proven interpersonal skills; 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 make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national 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; •Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary; •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.

programme/project planning and implementation, with a particular emphasis on youth engagement at state/national and / or international levels. Practical experience in social research is preferred. •Developing country work and/or field experience an asset •Proven ability to conceptualize, plan, develop, implement, monitor evaluate and report on programmes in the areas indicated above, and to transfer knowledge and skills; •Ability to develop partnerships and to network in the areas of youth engagement, education, skills, and employment; •Knowledge of the latest developments and technology in related fields; •Analytical, negotiating, communication and advocacy skills, excellent 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; •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; •Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment; •Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines.

The duty station will be Chandigarh, India which is the capital of the northern Indian states of Punjab and Haryana. Chandigarh is one of the earliest planned cities in post independence India and is internationally known for its architecture and urban design.

UN Volunteer entitlements and allowances: The purpose of the allowances and entitlements paid to the UN Volunteer is to enable UN Volunteers to sustain a secure standard of living at the duty stations in line with United Nations standards without incurring personal costs. For more information on entitlements please read the Conditions of Service (https://explore.unv.org/cos).

For information specific to your assignment please see below: • Monthly Voluntary Living Allowance (VLA): INR 40,483 • Entry lump sum (one-time payment): USD 400 (equivalent in INR) • Travel ticket when moving to duty station: USD 200 (equivalent in INR) • Exit allowance: 1 VLA/12 Months • Medical and life insurance Cigna Private Insurance • Leave entitlements: Annual leave - 2.5 days accrued per calendar month • Certified sick leave: 30 days • Uncertified sick leave: 7 days • Learning leave: 10 working days per consecutive 12 months • Maternity leave: 16 weeks • Paternity leaves: 10 days • Access to UNV Learning Portal for Online Courses

Added 1 year ago - Updated 10 months ago - Source: unv.org