Regional Youth Initiatives 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.

UNICEF’s Adolescent Development and Participation Section (ADAP) in the Europe and Central Asia Regional Office (ECARO) supports meaningful and systematic participation, empowering adolescents as agents of change. This includes youth engagement and participation in the response to the ongoing Ukraine refugee crisis where young people are playing a key role as UNICEF partners supporting the frontline response through information sharing, direct supply distribution, housing, educational programmes, skills building, social cohesion, inclusion, etc.

This UNV assignment is part of ECARO ADAP programme. It will also directly contribute to achievement of the goals of the ECARO’s Connectedness Flagship that aims at reaching and connecting 20 million adolescents from the region through different platforms and mechanisms (physical and virtual). Connectedness is directly linked to building the strengths and resilience of adolescents. It gives them a sense of meaning, belonging and contribution to something larger than just oneself and it is the basis for youth activation and engagement, towards empowerment as co-creators for change, so that adolescents and young people can influence decisions affecting their lives and contribute to their own wellbeing and that of their communities.

Digital connections are an important part of this, where adolescents engage and dialogue with each other, and also with UNICEF. Social media and online communities are the spaces for these connections, which link to existing youth networks in the offline world.

The two main digital platforms currently supported by ECARO ADAP are U-Report Europe Connecting Ukrainians and USupport e-mental health platform:

• U-Report Europe was launched on 1 June 2022 to provide relevant information to Ukrainian adolescents, young people and their families on the move to the neighbouring countries. By navigating the U-Report chatbot, young people and parents have started learning safety recommendations, requirements and conditions of entry to host countries, their rights, and humanitarian assistance available for them in Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy, Moldova, Romania, and Slovakia. The chatbot is currently available in Ukrainian on U-Report messaging channels, including Telegram, WhatsApp, and Viber. Since its launch, the platform scaled the Platform has scaled to 10,869 U-Reporters. 21,652 users accessed the chatbot at least once while there were 11,578 activations in U-Report Europe.

• USupport Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) platform currently developed by ECARO will pioneer an Uber-like app for on-demand psychosocial support services with the potential of reaching millions adolescents in the Eastern Europe and Central Asian region. It will build a bridge between existing mental health resources and connect them to adolescents in need of help by digitizing service delivery. The USupport approach will lead to a paradigm shift in how adolescents receive psychosocial support for the most common and prevalent behavioural and development problems covering key areas of emotional health and well-being, conduct and hyperactivity disorders, and compromised peer and family relations. The approach will blend social media engagement, online counselling tools for MHPSS of adolescents combined with advocacy with governments, national and international development partners to create entirely new frameworks for adolescent e-mental health.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of UNICEF ECARO ADAP Adviser, or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer will:

• Provide support to the ECARO ADAP team and internal and external partners throughout the programming processes with the design and implementation of innovative approaches to youth engagement and participation, with special focus on digital engagement, including in the following programmatic areas: o Contribution to the EU agenda, including on reconstruction, European year of Youth 2022, Youth Guarantee, etc. o Youth engagement in the response to the Ukraine humanitarian crisis. o Youth engagement in the USupport e-mental health platform. o Scaling up of the U-Report Europe using social media channels. o Facilitating youth engagement as UNICEF partners and social media activists through the Western Balkans Young Partners Group. o Reaching youth as “data users and data source”.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme 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.

13. Results/expected outputs

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

o Innovative approaches and good practices on adolescent development and participation are applied/introduced with focus on youth engagement through social media channels. o Youth engagement is supported in co-creation of digital solutions, including through U-Report and USupport platforms. o Capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders in the area of digital youth mobilization and engagement are supported. o Design of ADAP communication products and materials, including the Youth in Europe Youth Engagement Bulletin, is supported to promote awareness, establish partnership/alliances and support resource mobilization for ADAP. o Engagement with youth as partners supported through facilitation and coordination of the Western Balkans Young Partners Group. o Contribution made to organizing the European Year of Youth event in Strasbourg 2023 with the focus on supporting the call to youth wishing to organise activities (in autumn 2022). o Contribution is made, as necessary, to the Youth Guarantee agenda. o Contribution is made, as necessary, to the partnership with Friends of Europe. o Coordination is supported with teams in the Ukraine emergency response countries, implementing partners, and the regional office ADAP and Communications teams to gather inputs relevant to the response initiatives.

• 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 • Integrity • Teamwork and respect for diversity • Commitment to continuous learning • Planning and organizing • Communication • Flexibility • 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.

national and/or international level in social development planning and management in youth/adolescent development related areas, youth innovations/digital solutions, or other relevant programmes; experience with adolescent mental health programmes is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization. • 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 and office technology equipment; familiarity with database management. knowledge of Canva, Adobe Illustrator, or similar software will be an asset; experience in graphic design for reports will be considered a strong asset. • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines. • Have affinity with or interest in youth volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey, serving as a economic, cultural and historic hub in Turkey. The city is situated on a peninsula at the entrance to the Black Sea, and lies on either side of the Bosporus and thus is located in both Europe and Asia. Istanbul has a population of over 15 million residents, comprising 19% of the population of Turkey and is considered the most populous European city as well as the world's 15th-largest city, thus also containing a large international community. Turkish is the only official language in Turkey and English is widely spoken particularly in touristic areas. Istanbul has a combination of borderline Mediterranean climate, humid subtropical climate and oceanic climate. It experiences cool winters with frequent precipitation, and warm to hot, moderately dry summers. Spring and fall are usually mild. Transportation: Public transportation is heavily used in Istanbul. Metro, tram, bus lines are up and running throughout the day. Ferry lines are connecting Europe and Asia. There are two airports available in Istanbul and well connected to various destinations. Medical Services: A wide-range of Medical services available are of high quality and are available in English. Security: Security level for Istanbul is 2 (Low) duty station. Upon arrival, UNDSS will provide a Security Briefing including information on travel restrictions and standard procedures for obtaining approvals for travel.

Note on novel coronavirus – COVID-19. The rapidly changing nature of novel coronavirus COVID-19 has placed significant and increasing restrictions on the freedom of movement of people across the globe, within countries and across borders. Such restrictions make it very difficult for international UN Volunteers to begin their assignments at their assigned duty station and UNV cannot guarantee assignments will proceed as normal. Candidates for international UN Volunteer assignments during this period may be exceptionally granted alternative working arrangements to work from their place of recruitment until restrictions are lifted. This is at the discretion of the host entity. Candidates proceeding to interview are recommended to discuss the likelihood of travel and possible alternative arrangements with the host entity. If selected, candidates should carefully consider the circumstances before accepting UNV’s offer. In cases where the UN Host Entity partner has requested the UN Volunteer to perform their assignment remotely, the Post Adjustment Multiplier (PAM) and related entitlements to be paid may be adjusted to the temporary duty station from where the UN Volunteer has been requested to work if requested by the UN Host Entity. The initial contract is issued upon arrival for the period indicated above. The contract can be extended depending on continuation of mandate, availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectancy of renewal of the assignment.

A UN Volunteer receives a Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA), which is composed of a Monthly Living Allowance (MLA) and a Family Allowance (FA) for those with dependents (maximum three). UNV provides life, health, permanent disability insurances as well as assignment travel, annual leave, full integration in the UN security framework (including residential security reimbursements).

UN Volunteers are paid Daily Subsistence Allowance at the UN rate for official travels, flight tickets for periodic home visit and for the final repatriation travel (if applicable). Resettlement allowance is paid for satisfactory service at the end of the assignment.

UNV will provide, together with the offer of assignment, a copy of the Conditions of Service, including Code of conduct, to the successful candidate.