Programming Specialist

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

Climate change, disproportioned population growth and other natural and man-made hazards including epidemics, armed violence and conflicts, governance and gender inequality are major global issues that directly and indirectly impact the mere survival, development and overall wellbeing of children around the world. This severely affects Sahelian countries where children, adolescents and young women already facing a multi-dimensional crisis. As an international organization focused on protecting the rights of children, UNICEF has made commitments to mitigate the impact of such shocks and stresses, on children and social service delivery systems. Adopting a system and community resilience programming approach, UNICEF seeks to reduce risks and physical and psychological harm to children due to shocks and stresses, while sustaining access to social services they need at all times – before, during, after disaster and conflict situations. Applying a risk lens to programming and engaging Governments, communities, children, adolescents and young people/young women on the Sahel resilience agenda, UNICEF maintains its cross-sectoral engagements to help children survive, develop and thrive.

The purpose of this UNV assignment is to support efforts to improve UNICEF Regional Office and Country Office capacities and enable meaningful action to strengthen resilience of children, communities and social service delivery systems in UNICEF supported sectors. To this end, the UNV will support the WCARO Principal Advisor for the Sahel Resilience in his work in areas related to evidence-generation, awareness-raising and advocacy, knowledge management, technical support, partnership building and resource mobilization benefiting WCARO Sections and WCAR Country Offices.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the UNICEF WCARO Principal Advisor for the Sahel or his designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer will engage in:

Evidence generation The UNV is expected to support a better understanding of the risks and impact of the Sahel crisis on children, adolescents, young people and UNICEF supported Government programmes. Specifically, she/he will support the development or updating the vulnerability analysis and the multi-country data analysis for children in the Sahel , create and maintain platforms on lessons learnt and programme analysis and other conflict or risk assessments. A particular focus of the UNV’s work will be on supporting effective adolescents and youth involvement in the process.

Awareness-raising and advocacy & Youth Engagement Based on continuous generation of evidence both from internal and outside sources including partner organizations, he/she will contribute to raise awareness on the correlation of Sahel crisis impact on sector results to create space for increased UNICEF engagement on resilience building, risk-informed programming incl. through internal and external advocacy, and outreach to connect and support youth engagement for resilience.

Knowledge management Support efforts to identify, document and share new tools, guidance documents and good practices to facilitate Sahel resilience building, localization (institutional capacity building and funding opportunities for longer term sustainability of investment , co-creation with young people, c, disaster risk reduction, conflict sensitivity and action to support social cohesion and peace. Support that this knowledge is effectively integrated in UNICEF WCAR programmes at regional and country level. It is expected that UNV’s support to enhance references on knowledge management spaces (WCAR Resilience Teams workspace and SharePoint) shall also include the (co-)organization of webinars and trainings, or referrals to that of other partners, and promote their use and actions.

Technical Assistance Contribute to WCARO PMR’s technical assistance to UNICEF Regional Office Sections and country offices in developing child focused Sahel adaptation and mitigation strategic frameworks and/or practical application in various planning documents and phases. This includes support to promote the use of relevant guidelines and tools, and to carry out Sahel and climate and disaster risk assessments as well as continuous support to help on the roll-out of action to adapt programs to make them more Sahel sensitive . A large focus of action will be set on supporting youth in their role as “agents of change including ” for climate and risk reduction action and localization action.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting A key contribution will be to co-lead annual review processes to analyze and document country office and regional progress in applying Sahel resilience -informed programming, and conflict sensitivity in UNICEF programmes. The UNV is expected to contribute to update related fact sheets. The UNV may be called upon to contribute to overall WCARO annual monitoring exercises (Country Office Annual Report review, etc.).

Partnerships & Resource Mobilization The UNV will further support efforts to establish new and maintain existing partnerships with various stakeholders engaging them on the risk agenda (Regional inter-agency initiatives, UN collaboration at regional and as indicated country level in support to COs, outreach to foundations, private sector, bilateral development organizations, child-centered and other NGOs, youth groups, UNISS Resilience Group, etc.). Internally, the UNV will join and participate in the global UNICEF Sahel ,, and Disaster Risk Reduction network. She/he is expected to establish close relations with WCARO Sahel Core group, Communications, Adolescent and Emergency Sections and Advisors, as well as colleagues in the PMR Section, Sahel countries’ focal points.

As applicable, the UNV is expected to contribute to WCARO Resilience led resource mobilization efforts, where the UNV will provide critical support to the Regional Principal Advisor for the Sahel focal point, including through gathering of strategic information, editorial support and beyond, e.g. to support Sahel related Funding proposals developed with partner agencies and/or country offices and regional offices sections.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers program mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day). • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country. • Provide annual and end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc. • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers. • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

• 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.

relevant area such as disaster risk management, environment, climate change, conflict sensitivity and peacebuilding, social and economic development, international cooperation.
A minimum of 2 years of relevant work experience focused on developing countries, in areas related to development cooperation in disaster risk management and/or climate change adaptation and mitigation, environment and socio-economic development. • Good understanding of multi-sectoral climate change impacts, risk assessments, and adaptation solutions required. • Familiarity with the concept and practice of complex crisis management, Sahel, risk-informed programming, disaster risk management, climate change action, and international development, including related frameworks (Sustainable Development Goals, Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, basic understanding of national, regional and international agreement on development and peace and security • Expertise in capacity development, developing tools and providing training • Basic familiarity with children's rights and gender in the context of complex crisis, risk and climate change adaptation and mitigation and/or natural resources management. • Excellent analytical and writing skills in English and French • Proven track record on advocacy and presentational skills • Fluency in English and French. • Excellent oral and writing 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, youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communication for development. • Demonstrated ability to work harmoniously in a multi-cultural environment and establish effective working relationship both within and outside an organization. • 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 is an asset. • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines • Good understanding of UN agencies and their focus areas as well as UN work experience is an asset

The assignment will take place in the nation's capital, Dakar, a family duty station (Hardship classification A) with missions to the region. Dakar is a liveable city. The spontaneous reception and hospitality of the Senegalese are among the characteristic features of this West African country. The living conditions in Dakar are good, as well as access to health services. The COVID-19 and yellow fever vaccine are compulsory, and vaccination cards should be presented at the entrance. Vaccinations against Meningococcal Meningitis and Hepatitis A and B are also recommended. The basic drugs are available in pharmacies, but it is recommended to bring specific prescription drugs.

According to ANSD/RGPHAE 2018 official estimates, Dakar metropolitan area population reaches over 3.1 million people. The total population of Senegal is 15,85 million (2018) inhabitants. Senegal is located on UTC/ GMT. Senegal has a warm climate and sunny days throughout the year that make it a comfortable duty station. Daytime temperatures are, on average, around 30°C. The rainy season is in the northern hemisphere's summer/fall.

The currency used in Senegal is called Franc CFA (XOF). On 1 April 2022, the average exchange rate is 1 USD = 587.288 XOF. Many hotels, restaurants and businesses in Senegal accept the main international credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, etc.). It is also possible to withdraw cash from automatic telling machines found in all the major cities. The accommodation facilities are in general good, and the choice is vast. It is possible to rent unfurnished and furnished accommodations from 450 to 2000 USD. UN Volunteers can also co-rent and share private accommodations, which must comply with the Minimum Operating Residential Security Standards (MORSS). Transportation in town can be easily arranged through local taxis.

A valid passport and Covid 19 Vaccination are required to enter Senegal. ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) nationals are not required an entry visa. Citizens of other countries may be required an entry visa or long-stay visa. They should contact the closest Senegalese representation. Senegalese Embassies and consulates in various West African countries and other parts of the world issue visas before travel.