Adolescent Development and Participation Volunteer

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.

Young people are Mozambique’s future—they will drive the country’s development and social change. With more than 6 million adolescents aged 10–19 (about 25% of the population), and 40% of them living in Zambezia and Nampula, Mozambique has immense demographic potential. However, this opportunity comes with significant challenges. Many adolescents lack the conditions to fully develop their potential. 1 in 3 is not participating/completing primary education, and 1 in 4 completes secondary school. Girls face even greater barriers: one in two is married or in a union before the age of 18; 14% are pregnant before age 15, and 57% before age 18. Additionally, 62% of girls and young women who experience sexual violence never seek help. Poor nutrition during adolescence further increases health risks, particularly during pregnancy.

Since 2000, UNICEF has strongly promoted adolescent participation in Mozambique by helping create a national child-to-child media network that engages young people as radio and TV producers across major media outlets, including Radio Mozambique, TVM, FORCOM community radios, and ICS. The network has expanded from 300 adolescents to more than 3,300, 60% girls, and now includes child parliamentarians, mentors, activists, and young artists. These adolescents lead media interventions using participatory and entertainment education approaches to address key child rights issues such as participation, ASRH, GBV, child marriage, HIV prevention, disability inclusion, and PSEA. Their work has received national and international recognition, including a UNICEF global broadcasting award in 2007.
UNICEF’s continued support has made this peer-to-peer model one of its most successful communication initiatives, empowering adolescents with skills, tools, and platforms to influence other young people, communities and policy makers. Building on this success, in 2022, UNICEF supported the creation of Adolescent and Youth Participation Platforms (AYPP) in Nampula, Zambezia, Sofala, and Cabo Delgado to promote coordination and greater impact. Each platform brings together about 35 young champions from various youth structures and CSOs and provides them with training, equipment, and logistical support. Young members also developed branding and logos for their platforms to strengthen visibility and identity at the community level.

Four UN Volunteers (UNVs) will support the expansion of the platforms to district level, as well as their linking with other youth platforms that may exist at provincial, district or local level (including schools). They will support the skills development of participating youth and facilitate their participation in (local) decision making processes that concern their future and that of their communities. They will encourage awareness raising and social action around specific societal concerns such as climate change, gender inequality, including gender-based violence, premature pregnancies and child marriage.

The UNVs will collaborate with key stakeholders, including government counterparts, civil society organizations (CSOs), UN agencies, Adolescent and Youth Participation Platforms (such as AYPP) in the provinces of Sofala, Zambézia, Nampula, and Cabo Delgado.

The Adolescent development and participation Volunteer will:
• Support and expand the reach of Adolescent and Youth Participation Platforms (AYPP) in terms of participation and replication at district level and strengthen their engagement/links with other (school-based) platforms
• Support strengthening provincial and district Child Parliament interventions through SPAS/SDSMAS/SDEJT
• Support strengthening of AYPP and media programming interventions that aim at creating awareness and social action (through RM, TVM, ICS, and FORCOM), on issues related to Climate Change/action, Gender equality, GV, CM, amongst other issue
• Promote and support the roll out of the (school-based) mentoring programs
• Support the roll out of the Learning to Earning, focusing development of relevant skills, opportunities for earning through Maza
• Actively participate in youth consultations and promotional events at the provincial and district level
• Conduct programmes visit (PV) to partners at the provincial level and submit the report, where relevant