Youth Engagement Officer, YuWaah

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.

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 young people 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. Maximising 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.

Out of the three pillars under GenU/YuWaah, Pillar 3 involves partnering with and engaging young people as changemakers and creating spaces for developing their leadership. This pillar specifically involves:

1. Youth-led innovations and fostering the development of design thinking and problem-solving skills in young people
2. Facilitating meaningful civic engagement of young people

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision and guidance of Chief of Generation Unlimited, India and secondary reporting to the Adolescent and Youth Development Specialist, YuWaah or designated mandated representative(s), the NUNV Youth Engagement Officer will undertake the following tasks to fulfill the objectives of YuWaah:

I) Coordination with Key Partners to advance Youth Innovation and Empowerment i. Support mapping of ecosystem of youth innovation and entrepreneurship programmes. ii. Support localization and implementation of YuWaah’s Social Innovation UPSHIFT programme across varied Indian contexts, suited for young people’s diverse needs. iii. Closely liaise with key partners including the Government entities, UN agencies, donors and CSOs, representatives from the private sector to design, deploy and scale up initiatives with a focus on adolescent and youth-led innovation. iv. Expand Yuwaah’s partner database to include stakeholders that are youth serving v. Nurture an active network of Delhi & Field colleagues and a partner database, organizing regular calls and sharing of information. vi. Develop a matrix to aggregate field results as contributing to YuWaah’s goals. vii. Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by your supervisor.

II) Knowledge Management i. Drafting minutes of meeting, SOPs, briefing notes, meeting documentation, newsletter to help advance the adolescent and youth engagement work of YuWaah through regular communication and information sharing. ii. Photo and video documentation of exemplary youth leaders and/or innovators.
iii. Accurate and timely dissemination of updates on on-going adolescent and youth engagement initiatives within the YuWaah and UNICEF India offices and their partners. iv. Work with communication advocacy and partnership staff in the selection and dissemination of information on YuWaah to national, international and local levels.

III) Documentation i. Support the process of preparation of YuWaah documents, notes, investment case, etc. ii. Contribute to YuWaah’s strategic planning, including work plan development and monitoring, with special focus on adolescent and youth engagement programme implementation, monitoring, assistance to states, documentation and research. iii. Prepare programme and project status reports required for the section, Management, Government reviews, programme analysis, Annual Reports, etc. iv. Contribute to the planning and review of the YuWaah annual work plan and of other strategic and programme documents. v. Assist in drafting briefing notes, talking points, funding proposals, presentations and preparing donor reports.

Results/expected outputs: • As an active UNICEF India team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to UNICEF India and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including: a) A repository of information and resources on issues related to adolescent and youth engagement initiatives is readily available, accessible and updated b) Plan for documentation of adolescent and young engagement initiatives developed and regularly implemented with a focus on establishing Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17). c) State offices, UN agencies, partner organizations and young people received regular updates and information about YuWaah youth engagement initiatives and programme database maintained. d) Funding proposals, concept notes, donor reports, programme reports and briefing notes prepared. e) A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for 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 implementation in the domain of adolescent and youth engagement and working with government stakeholders. • Field experience with youth is desirable. • Experience in working with Technology-based platforms would be an asset. • Good knowledge of adolescent and youth developmental priorities, human rights and gender. • Proven ability to plan and implement and report on programmes in the areas indicated above. • Knowledge of technology for development programming in related fields. • 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. • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines.

New Delhi, the capital of India and the surrounding National Capital Region is a large and bustling metropolis of some 14 million people undergoing rapid changes. The capital city is an administrative, cultural and commercial center with modern amenities and well connected by air. It is a safe place with large expatriate community drawn from embassies, UN agencies, MNCs and foreign businesses. It has long hot summer from April till October. The monsoon arrives at the end of June, along with an increase humidity. The brief mild winter starts in late November, peaks in January and heavy fog often occurs.

UN Volunteer entitlements and allowances: • Monthly Voluntary Living Allowance (VLA): INR 50,604.24 • 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 (paid on successful completion of the assignment): INR 4,217.02 for each month served • Medical and life insurance coverage • 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 To know more about entitlements, please refer to the Conditions of Service (https://explore.unv.org/cos).