UNV National Specialist, Advocacy and Networking for Adolescent Development and Participation

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.

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children's lives, to defend their rights, and to help them fulfil their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

This UNV Specialist position in South Asia will support the collation of basic research related to adolescents in South Asia, the development and dissemination of creative advocacy and communication material for effective programming for adolescents, and internal communication with country focal points and adolescent and youth networks for the Adolescent Development and Participation (ADAP) unit at the UNICEF Regional Office for South Asia (ROSA).

The UNV Youth will also support the ADAP newsletter and other data gathering and storage initiatives.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Adviser, Adolescent Development and Participation (ADAP) or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV National Specialist – Advocacy and Networking will

• Support the development of advocacy, communication, and marketing material for ADAP’s research, learning products and communication with country offices • Co-design, organize and deliver designated regional adolescent and youth consultations and manage adolescent advisory bodies as required • Ensure consistent engagement with country offices on network meetings, assessing progress on ADAP initiatives, and identifying support gaps, • Liaise with contractors for advocacy, communication and marketing contracts and other related tasks • Develop a six-monthly ADAP newsletter • Periodically collate quantitative and qualitative data on adolescents for programme support • Provide administrative support as required for ADAP tasks • Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

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.

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:

Results/Outputs can be modified as appropriate; should not entirely mirror the task description but serve as a basis for workplan and deliverables] o Strong collaboration with country ADAP and adolescent focal points o Two annual newsletters o Updated ADAP Sharepoint o Regular connections with adolescents and young people and networks on programme and policy decision-making at UNICEF ROSA o Strong communication of ADAP research and outputs with UNICEF country offices and partners

• 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

• 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

• 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.

• 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;

adolescent and youth development and participation, communication, and youth networks, knowledge on adolescent and youth development, excellent skills in collaborating and engaging with diverse adolescent groups, excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills; accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing.

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. National UN Volunteers are part of the malicious insurance plan. Also, this is going to be a remote assignment, however, those who reside in Kathmandu are preferred, as this requires occasional office presence.