Youth and Innovation Associate

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.

Youth unemployment is generally high at 53% (54.8% Male, 52.1% females). The majority of the employed are in the primary sector that is agriculture, forestry and fisheries. Research indicates the connection between gang rape and youth frustration and unemployment in Somaliland . The high youth unemployment has therefore meant that the potential of the youth is yet to be exploited. Many young Somali are trapped in a climate of violence, fear, unemployment and poverty, impacting on their hopes and dreams for a better future, making them more likely to become part of conflict or part of the large numbers of youth and adolescents departing on Tahriib (irregular migration).

Unemployment, an uncertain future and violence drives the majority of the youth in Somaliland to migration. Yet, youth represents an opportunity for economic growth, development and social transformation in the country

UNICEF Somalia has therefore been implementing the UPSHIFT Innovative Livelihoods Approach as an answer to youth unemployment, youth participation and leadership and social innovation in Somaliland. This ToRs recruitment of 3 Youth and Innovation Associates to coordinate implementation of the UPSHFT Program in 3 locations targeting up to 500 young people and adolescents.

The purpose of this assignment is to provide technical support, supervision and coordination of the UPSHIFT Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship program, and marketable skills vocational training activities in the North West Zone, Central South and North East Zones in Somalia.

Under the direct supervision of The Child Protection Specialist, UNICEF Somalia, The Youth and Innovation Associate will be involved in providing technical support, mentorship and support business incubation for youth innovations to catalyze youth self-employment and income growth. The key target groups will include survivors of Gender Based Violence (GBV), Children Associated with Armed Forces and Armed Groups (CAFAAG), young people and children in contact with the law (Y/CiCWL) and vulnerable street-children.

The post holders will work closely with partners implementing UPSHIFT and marketable skills vocational training, conduct regular field visits to incubated businesses, coordinate training for participants, and provide updates on the progress of the project activities.

The UNV Youth and Innovation Associate will perform the following tasks: • Conduct regular (monthly) meetings (face to face or skype as applicable) with all UPSHIFT partners to assess progress, challenges and lessons learnt from UPSHIFT Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship implementation. • Conduct regular project field monitoring visits to assess implementation of youth enterprises formed during UPSHIFT boot camp and after vocational skills training. • Visit project teams formed during UPSHIFT bootcamps and document best practices. • Provide training and technical support to the establishment, implementation and monitoring of UPSHIFT Youth Innovation Hubs and coordinate with other partners (such as UNFPA) of specific areas of synergy. • Provide weekly sitreps and monthly reports/updates on project progress. • Support the Child Protection Specialist (Adolescent/Systems) in drafting case studies and human-interest stories on the achievements of the project. • Support the Child Protection Specialist (Adolescent/Systems) in facilitating bi-annual assessment of incomes earned from successful enterprises and submit reports as necessary • Provide support during evaluation and reviews of the project • Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor

• 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.

• 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 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.

• Professional work experience at the national and/or international level in a related area or in Entrepreneurship, business promotion, Experience with the following sectors digital/technological innovations, small scale businesses, agribusiness, handicraft, recycling, renewable energy, ceramics, electronics and mobile phone repairs, and handicrafts among others etc • Direct experience working in value chain development, business promotion or marketing sector in Somalia will be an added advantage 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;

Somalia is located in Eastern Africa, bordering the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean, east of Ethiopia; Area 627,337 square km. Border countries include: Djibouti 58 km, Ethiopia 1,600 km, and Kenya 682 km. Somalia has a long coastline of 2,720 km.

Somalia has been plagued by several periods of protracted armed conflict since gaining independence in 1960. The collapse of the Barre regime in 1991 led to a prolonged period of civil war which quickly degenerated into predatory looting, deliberate targeting of civilians based on clan identity, and land grabbing perpetrated by rival clan-11 based militias. One major result of the conflicts has been an impact on the mental health of the population owing to decades of protracted conflict, which has severely disrupted social cohesion, broken down social norms and led to nearly one in every three Somalis suffering from some form of mental health condition.

The government has achieved important gains in re-establishing state authority in areas once controlled by al-Shabaab with the establishment of new federal member states in Jubbaland (2013), South West State (2014), and Hirshabelle (2016). Yet the revival of the state has often been followed by upticks in inter-communal conflict, driven by unresolved grievances suppressed under al-Shabaab rule, where unavailability of social services (schools, vocational training centers, hospitals among others) further aggravates the competition for scarce resources and opportunities facilitating latent and active conflicts in the absence of meaningful, inter-communal reconciliation that enables al-Shabaab to exploit lingering grievances to gain legitimacy and maintain or expand their footprint in the recovered areas of Bay, Bakool, and Lower Shabelle.

Somaliland and Puntland are autonomous regions within Somalia. They are characterized by high levels of peace, though intermittent clan conflicts are reported. As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials.