Youth & Adolescent Development Specialist, P-4, MENA Region

This is a Generic Vacancy Announcement for various posts in the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) Region.

The Youth and Adolescent Development Specialist is responsible for managing the Adolescent and Youth programmes and projects, which include: policy development and guidance, humanitarian planning and operation, strategic planning and formulation, and strengthening of national systems to improve the access of adolescents and youth to education, social protection, employability and skills training.

Key Expected Results

1. Country programme planning and development

• Conduct situation analysis and assessments to establish age and sex disaggregated evidence-based data to shape advocacy and development of policies, frameworks and programmes.
• Assess national, regional and international development priorities to identify strategies and courses of action that enhance the delivery of services and achieve objectives for adolescent development and participation; support the development of a strategic framework for adolescents.
• Participate in the programme and planning process of the Country Office providing technical input for the integration of cross sectoral policies to promote adolescent development; ensure alignment of interventions with UNICEF's Strategic Plans, the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), regional strategies, national priorities, plans and competencies.
• Establish goals, objectives, strategies and implementation plans for adolescent development across all sectors using results-based planning terminology and methodology (RBM).
• Build partnerships with internal and external partners to review strategies and methodologies and promote the rights of adolescents across all sectors.

2. Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results

• Participate in monitoring and evaluation initiatives to establish age disaggregated benchmarks, performance indicators and other UNICEF/UN system indicators.
• Prepare relevant documentation for major monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual reviews with government and other counterparts to assess progress and engage stakeholders in interventions focused on adolescents.
• Prepare monitoring and evaluation reports to identify strengths and weaknesses in programme management, and highlight lessons learned and best practices.
• Plan, monitor and oversee the use of financial, human and administrative programme resources certifying compliance with rules and regulations, donor commitments, and standards of accountability and integrity; ensure timely reporting and liquidation of financial resources.
• Prepare proposals and project reports for donors and other partners.

3. Advisory services and technical support

• Represent UNICEF in a variety of settings, including interagency discussions, national and international meetings, providing evidence-based documentation and technical inputs on adolescent development and participation to influence policy and, ensure integration of UNICEF’s interests and priorities in the UNDAF development planning and agenda setting process, as well as in the emergency preparedness programme.
• Advise key government officials, NGO representatives, UN system and Country Office partners on policies, strategies, best practices and approaches on adolescent development and participation to support programme development and planning, and delivery of results.
• Prepare policy papers, briefs and other strategic materials for management to inform their decisions on development planning related to adolescents.

4. Advocacy, networking and partnership building

• Lead advocacy efforts for adolescent rights and programming in the Country Office, and through alliances with partners in the UN system, government, donor community, civil society and private sector.
• Contribute toward the preparation of advocacy and communication strategies and implementation plans for maximum communication impact and outreach to raise awareness, build alliances, and ensure that adolescent development and participation programmes are adequately resourced and supported.

5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Research, promote and institutionalize cutting-edge practices on adolescent development through advocacy and technical advisory services.
• Contribute toward the development of policies and procedures, and introduce innovation and best practices that promote the rights of adolescents and enhance their development and participation.
• Plan and implement capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of internal and external partners to achieve sustainable results for adolescent development and participation.

Qualifications of Successful Candidate

Education

• Advanced university degree in economics, anthropology, psychology, sociology, education, public health, behavior communication or other social science field is required.
• *A first university degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and experience may be accepted in lieu of advanced university degree.

Work Experience

• A minimum of 8 years of relevant professional work experience in social and policy program development planning and management, operational support and humanitarian settings in adolescent development related areas.
• International work experience/developing country experience required, preferably in the Middle East & North Africa Region.
• Relevant experience in programme/project development and management in related areas in a UN system agency or organization is highly desirable.
• Background/familiarity with emergency situations considered an asset.

Language Proficiency

• Fluency in English required, and good knowledge of Arabic highly desirable.

Competencies of Successful Candidate

Core Values

• Commitment
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Integrity

Core Competencies

• Communication
• Working with People
• Drive for Results

Functional Competencies

• Leading and supervising
• Formulating strategies/concepts
• Analyzing
• Relating and networking
• Deciding and initiating action
• Persuading and influencing

Remarks

This is a Generic Vacancy Announcement for various posts in the Middle East & North Africa Region, including both Family and Non-Family Duty Stations.

Successful candidates will be placed in a Talent Group. While this does not guarantee a position with UNICEF, as positions become available, successfully placed candidates in the Talent Groups will be reviewed and if found suitable, may be offered placement.

Contracts may be Fixed Term (FT) or Temporary Appointment (TA).

Previous applicants to this GVA need not apply.

HOW TO APPLY:

Visit us at www.unicef.org/employ to register in our system and search for the detailed Vacancy Announcement using key words “GVA”, or “Youth” or “MENA”. Closing date 29 January 2016.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organization.