National UN Volunteer Youth Engagement Officer, Erbil, UNICEF Iraq (open to Iraqi nationals only)

This UNV assignment will support UNICEF’s Youth and Adolescent Development and Participation program in the Northern Iraq. It will specifically support the ongoing projects in Northern Iraq under PROSPECTS programming which the focus is on mobilization of young people, empowerment, transitions from learning and earning, and designing and implementing youth lead engagement and advocacy initiatives. The objective of supporting these activities are to empower young people to positively engage in promoting social cohesion and social peace in KRI and Iraq. The collaboration with other sister UN agencies under PROSPECTS grant have contributed in fostering young people positive engagement and strengthening social cohesion. In addition, the Youth Engagement Officer   will work closely with the National Program Officer on wider Youth and Adolescent program priorities and projects in Northern governorates including (Erbil, Duhok , Ninawa, Kirkuk, Sulaymaniyah) , with focus on monitoring of skilling and engagement projects. This will cover projects under but not limited to KFW and Japan, Canadian funded programmes. This will entail high quality professional technical, operational and administrative assistance throughout the programming process through the application of theoretical and technical skills in researching, collecting, analyzing and presenting technical programme information and learning organizational rules, regulations and procedures, to support the development and formulation of the adolescent development and participation programmes/projects within the Country Programme.

 

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programmes, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

UNICEF reaffirms its commitment to leaving no one behind and promoting gender equality in all its programmes. UNICEF’s work on young people on young people empowerment and engagement based on youth vision 2030, which advances Youth Participation and engagement, gender equality and the empowerment of young people boys/ girls in key areas of UNICEF's work.

This UNV assignment will support UNICEF’s Youth and Adolescent Development and Participation program in the Northern Iraq. It will specifically support the ongoing projects in Northern Iraq under PROSPECTS programming which the focus is on mobilization of young people, empowerment, transitions from learning and earning, and designing and implementing youth lead engagement and advocacy initiatives. The objective of supporting these activities are to empower young people to positively engage in promoting social cohesion and social peace in KRI and Iraq. The collaboration with other sister UN agencies under PROSPECTS grant have contributed in fostering young people positive engagement and strengthening social cohesion.

In addition, the Youth Engagement Officer   will work closely with the National Program Officer on wider Youth and Adolescent program priorities and projects in Northern governorates including (Erbil, Duhok , Ninawa, Kirkuk, Sulaymaniyah) , with focus on monitoring of skilling and engagement projects. This will cover projects under but not limited to KFW and Japan, Canadian funded programmes. This will entail high quality professional technical, operational and administrative assistance throughout the programming process through the application of theoretical and technical skills in researching, collecting, analyzing and presenting technical programme information and learning organizational rules, regulations and procedures, to support the development and formulation of the adolescent development and participation programmes/projects within the Country Programme.

 

11.Sustainable Development Goals: 8. Decent Work and Economy Growth

Supervision, induction, and duty of care of UN Volunteers

 

UN Volunteers should be provided equal duty of care as extended to all host entity personnel. Host entity support to the UN Volunteer includes, but is not limited to:

 

•Introductory briefings about the organisation and office-related context including security, emergency procedures, good cultural practice and orientation to the local environment;

•Support with arrival administration and official processes as required;

•Structured guidance, mentoring and coaching by a supervisor including a clear workplan and performance appraisal;

•Access to office space, equipment, IT support and any other systems and tools required to complete the objectives of the assignment including a host entity email address;

•Access to shared host entity corporate knowledge, training and learning;

•Ensure that UN Volunteers are provided all necessary security measures as per the United Nations Security Management System (UNSMS);

•Leave management;

•DSA for official travel, when applicable;

•All changes in the Description of Assignment occurring between recruitment and arrival or during the assignment need to be formalized with the United Nations Volunteer Programme.

 

12.Description of tasks:

 

Within the delegated authority and under the management and administration supervision of Erbil CFO and technical support from NOB ADAP officer at Erbil Field Office , and ,the UNV Youth Engagement Officer   will:

 

•Support the National Officer and ADAP programme team in Norther governorates including (Erbil, Duhok , Ninawa, Kirkuk, Sulaymaniyah) projects including monitoring and building capacity of partners on young people engagement, ensure that UNICEF supported project are fulfilling young people empowerment through LSCE training, including tailored transitions to entrepreneurship and young people positive engagement achieved.

•Support the provision of hands-on technical quality assurance ensuring that ADAP programming  are strongly implemented in all stages of programme management, including programme planning/design, implementation and monitoring/evaluation and reporting based on RBM principles in the southern area of Iraq.

•Work closely and collaboratively with colleagues and partners to collect/analyze/share information on implementation issues with linkages to LSCE, innovation lab and young people social and business entrepreneurship and social cohesion programming, suggest solutions on routine programme implementation and submit report to alert appropriate officials and stakeholders for higher-level intervention and/or decision.

•Keep record of reports and assessments for easy reference and/or to capture and institutionalize lessons learned.

•Support the strengthening of national and local capacities for young people engagement concepts and approaches in close coordination with ADAP programme team in UNICEF; identify and lead new initiatives to strengthen national and local capacities for young people empowerment, entrepreneurship skills, engagement and advocacy initiatives. This includes guidance on region-specific strategic direction, ensuring technical excellence and overseeing the quality of programmatic work on gender equality. 

•Provide advice technical support and monitoring to the Government and CSO stakeholders to help integrate youth engagement into programmes interventions, expand networks and partnerships with appropriate government counterparts, civil society, youth groups and other stakeholders for young people – boys and girls- empowerment including tools and approaches that aims to provide knowledge, techniques, and tools to develop skills and changes in attitudes and behaviors.

•Working with the ADAP team to check quality of programming under PROSPECTS grants with government and CSO partners. The level of technical support will feed in promoting sustainability of projects and expanding their impacts.

•Identify and synthesize global and regional best practices and lessons learned for knowledge development, innovative methods to advance young people capacity building and development.

•Liaise, support, and assist field level PM&E staff in overseeing the effective integration, monitoring and reporting. Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual programme reviews with government and other counterparts and prepare minutes/reports on results for follow up action by higher management and other stakeholders.

•Support and work with local partners in ensuring reporting requirements are fully understood and adhered to (i.e translating the robust log frame into actual documentation and reporting on results according to set indicators).

•Prepare technical reports and inputs for programme preparation and documentation, ensuring accuracy, timeliness and relevancy of information. Ensure gender equality approaches put fort by the program are well reflected and addressed

•Participate and support in evidence-based programme/project planning on young people engagement, incorporating robust measurement and evaluation of results.

•Support indicator identification, measurement and performance tracking as it relates to young people skills building and participation in labor market, designing and implementing youth led initiatives.

•Liaise with other UN sister agencies under PROSPECTS grant including International Labor Organization ILO, World Bank , UNICEF and others. Supporting established referral mechanism and criteria for multipliers of collaboration. 

•Liaise and consult with sections, government, and other external partners (civil society, NGOs, private sector) to support convergence, and develop and reinforce partnerships in gender programming.

•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.

 

13.                                             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:

•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

 

14.Qualifications/requirements:

 

Required Education Level: Bachelor's degree

Required Experience: 3 years of experience

 

a)Education

 

•A university degree in one of the following fields is required: anthropology, psychology, sociology, education or another relevant technical field.

•A minimum of 3 years of professional experience in social development planning and management in adolescent development related areas is required.

•Experience working in a developing country is considered as an asset.

•Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.

•Sound understanding of gender equality and gender issues in international development and in Iraq context.

•Experience implementing field programming and monitoring in low- and middle-income settings.

•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;

•Experience developing case studies, documenting lessons learned, etc. desired;

•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; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment;

•Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines;

•Fluency in English and Arabic and Kurdish is required.

 

Qualified female candidates and persons living with disabilities will be prioritized.

 

 

b)                                               Competencies and values

 

•Professionalism: Demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNICEF’s ; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNICEF’s 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’s 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.

•Have ability to travel from Erbil to Ninawa, Kirkuk, Sulaymaniyah , Duhok and spend office hours in UNICEF Mosul sub-office and Duhok office.

 

c)                                               Language skills

                                                  Fluency in spoken and written Kurdish and Arabic are required;

                                                  Fluency in English is required

 

15.Living Conditions:

 

The UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials.

 

16.Conditions of Service for national UN Volunteers

 

The contract lasts for the period indicated above with possibility of extensions subject to availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectation of renewal of the assignment.

The applicable Volunteer Living Allowance is provided monthly to cover housing, utilities and normal cost of living expenses. Life, health and permanent disability insurance are included (health insurance for up to 3 dependents), as well as final repatriation (if applicable) and resettlement allowance for satisfactory service.

Furthermore, in non-family duty stations that belong to hardship categories D or E, as classified by the ICSC, a Well-Being Differential (WBD) will be provided monthly.