The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, 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 favouritism. 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, hygiene/sanitation and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfil 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.

Mocímboa da Praia District, located in Cabo Delgado Province in northern Mozambique, is a strategic hub for ongoing humanitarian and recovery operations and currently serves as a key focal point for UNICEF’s field presence in the region. In response to the protracted humanitarian situation affecting internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees, and host communities, the Mozambique Country Office (MCO) conducted a comprehensive costing exercise to assess the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of different delivery modalities for emergency, nexus, and peacebuilding programming in vulnerable districts of Cabo Delgado, with a particular focus on Mocímboa da Praia. The results of the costing exercise demonstrated that the establishment of two operational hubs in the district capitals of Mocímboa da Praia and Mueda would provide the greatest overall benefit to UNICEF. This conclusion was based on an analysis of direct, indirect, intangible, and competitive cost–benefit elements, including efficiencies related to the utilization of staff time. The hubs are expected to significantly enhance UNICEF’s operational effectiveness by strengthening district-level engagement with government counterparts and NGO partners, improving community acceptance of UNICEF, reinforcing programme monitoring capacity, enabling early identification of emerging issues, and strengthening coordination of programme implementation, including emergency responses. Within this context, United Nations Volunteers (UNVs) deployed in (a) Mueda and (b) Mocímboa da Praia will provide community-based monitoring and community engagement support. Their role will be critical in enhancing programme quality, ensuring continuity of essential services, and strengthening UNICEF’s accountability to affected populations, particularly IDPs, returnees, and host communities in highly vulnerable areas of Cabo Delgado.

Under the direct supervision of the Field Coordinator (NOB) based in Mocimboa da Praia, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:
• Support situational assessments and monitoring and information gathering, including emerging needs, as may be required especially in hard-to-reach areas.
• Support the monitoring the implementation of project/program me activities at community level, assess progress and recommend actions to improve.
• Contribute to emergency preparedness and response activities, including rapid assessments, distribution monitoring, and support to lifesaving.
• Strengthen local capacities to identify, refer, and respond to child protection cases.
• Promote community awareness on child rights, protection mechanisms, and available support services.
• Support coordination with the local level government counterparts/NGOs/CBOs.
• Support facilitation of local-level training and orientation for those involved in pro-gramme implementation, including partners, counterparts, donor, and media visits.
• Support the assessment of youth 20-35 who have education and/or employment disrupted due to the conflict and displacement and
• Refer identified youth to existing government/donor led employment opportunities, via platforms such as Talent Biz.
• Support and assist in the planning, coordination, and delivery of child protection programs aligned with national and international standards
• Undertakes any other tasks as requested by Supervisor.