If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you. UNICEF Philippines is looking for Adolescent Development and Gender Specialist (ADAP) to provide technical and operational support in the Programme Section, providing professional technical and operational expertise in adolescent development and gender and its related activities including emergencies.
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For every child, the right to advocacy
The Philippines Country Office is hiring a Gender and Adolescent Specialist (NOC) on a temporary appointment for 364 days to increase dedicated capacity and expertise in Philippines on gender and adolescent programming. Gender equality is essential to realizing the mandate of UNICEF to uphold the rights of all children. The UNICEF Gender Equality Action Plan (GEAP), 2026–2029, operationalizes the UNICEF Gender Policy, 2021–2030, by specifying how UNICEF will promote gender equality across its programmes and workplaces. It affirms that promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls is the responsibility of everyone, regardless of organizational role. GEAP is organized in three priority themes: 1. Achieving positive change for adolescent girls with adolescent girls, 2. Integrating gender equality across policies, budgets, systems, and programmes, and 3. Cementing organizational gains and accelerating progress through stronger finance, leadership, accountability, technical expertise, and partnerships for gender equality. These priorities aim to accelerate progress on gender equality across the five Goal Areas of the UNICEF Strategic Plan, 2026– 2029, as well as within institutional systems and processes, with clear indicators and monitoring mechanisms to track change.
The GEAP builds on the evolving evidence base on gender equality, including lessons from implementation of prior gender action plans and evidence on proven strategies to effect change at scale particularly for adolescent girls and women. It responds to lessons learned from the implementation of previous GAPs and an extensive global consultative process with staff, partners, and young people. It is grounded in the human rights principles of non-discrimination and equality and articulates the role of UNICEF, as a collaborator with Governments and other partners, in supporting the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Recognizing that gender discrimination has lifelong and intergenerational impacts, the GEAP advances gender equality throughout the life course. At the same time, it promotes targeted actions to advance the leadership and well-being of adolescent girls, positioning adolescent girls as a key accelerator of progress across UNICEF’s work and recognizing their voice, agency and leadership as central to achieving results for children.
This dual-track approach goes beyond responding to the manifestations of gender inequality to tackle its underlying drivers, including by engaging boys and men as allies; advancing upstream financing and policy solutions; and supporting girls’ agency and voice. In preparation for the new Country Programme, UNICEF Philippines conducted a Gender Programmatic Review in late 2022 to help inform and identify priority areas for gender-related interventions. Investing in adolescents strengthens their ability to advance human rights and build a bright future for themselves, their families and entire countries. UNICEF takes a life-course approach to adolescent development and participation, identifying critical risks and opportunities that have implications for the realization of children’s rights, from the first decade through the second.
UNICEF’s new Strategic Plan for 2026–2029 is organized around five Impact Results and reinforces the importance of working with adolescents and young people as partners in advancing child rights. In line with UNICEF’s Engaged and Heard: Guidelines on adolescent participation and civic engagement, as well as the UNICEF Philippines Country Programme for 2024-2028, UNICEF plans to support gender and adolescent-responsive systems and services, through meaningful participation of adolescents and supporting youth-led action to influence social norms, decision-making and policies affecting them, including on climate action. UNICEF plans to support gender-responsive and adolescent-friendly systems and services and adolescent engagement and empowerment, including through meaningful participation of adolescents in their communities, social norms change, and the political processes that affect them. Visit this link for more information on UNICEF in the Philippines https://www.unicef.org/philippines/
How can you make a difference?
The Adolescent Development and Gender Specialist provides technical guidance/operational support throughout all stages of programming to facilitate the management and delivery of results contributing to gender equality and adolescent development and participation.
The post supports the development, implementation, and monitoring of high-quality gender and adolescence programming across sectors. i.e. 1) supports senior programme colleagues and management of the Country Office to mainstream gender and adolescent participation by prioritizing key results within relevant sector(s) and sub-sectors; 2) leads cross-sectional collaboration and coordination on key programmatic results on gender and adolescence, ensuring coherence, maximization of synergies and efficiency in utilization of resources and delivery of results; 3) works with programme colleagues and management so that gender and adolescence results are effectively defined, measured, and reported, and high quality assessment, research, evidence generation and evaluation is undertaken and utilized,; 4) Supports/leads effective review, assessment, planning, capacity building, and knowledge management on gender and adolescent development and participation; 5) Supports the assessment and identification of gender and adolescence needs for emergency preparedness and response, and provides gender and adolescence-relevant guidance and technical input on emergency programming.
Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Representative Programmes, the Adolescent Development and Gender Specialist undertakes the following:
- Management and/or advisory support to Deputy Representative
- Program development and planning (including emergency contexts)
- Program management, monitoring and delivery of results (including emergency contexts)
- Advisory services and technical support
- Conducts advocacy, networking, and partnership building
- Support innovation, knowledge management and capacity building
If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: 
Original_TOR_Gender_Adolescent_Specialist _BN_KK.pdf
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
Minimum requirements:
[Include the vacancy requirements aligned to the category and level of the position. You can see examples in the branded VA example.]
Education:
- Advanced university degree (Masters or higher) in the social sciences (i.e. sociology, demography, psychology, political science, gender studies, social policy or economics), public health, public policy, public administration, international development, or in an area relevant to UNICEF’s sectoral work (e.g. Health, Nutrition, WASH, Education, Child Protection, Social Inclusion, HIV/AIDs, Climate Change, etc.).
- Academic credentials in gender and adolescents are a strong asset.
[If approved by the relevant authority as per the Staff Selection Procedure, include here the flexible provisions for education vs experience, according to the branded VA example]
Work Experience:
- Minimum five years of progressively responsible professional experience and demonstrated track record of having undertaken and led substantive programming and research on gender and adolescence and development, including in key issue areas that are the focus of UNICEF’s Gender Action Plan.
- Experience in designing, implementing, managing, and delivering results-based programmes on gender, adolescent development and participation is required.
- One year of deployment in a developing country is required.
Skills:
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including ability to interpret and apply evidence to programme design and advocacy.
- Excellent drafting and communication skills for technical briefs, donor updates, and policy guidance.
- Facilitation and capacity-building skills for government counterparts, partners, and adolescent/youth groups.
- Proven coordination and influencing skills to lead cross-sector collaboration and drive results.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities with minimal supervision.
Specific Technical Knowledge Required
- Gender equality programming, including gender analysis, gender mainstreaming, and gender-responsive budgeting and results frameworks.
- Adolescent development and participation approaches, including safe and meaningful engagement of adolescents and youth-led action.
- Programme cycle management (situation analysis, theory of change, planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation) and results-based management.
- Evidence generation and use: qualitative/quantitative research methods, data interpretation, and translating evidence into policy/programme recommendations.
- Cross-sector integration of gender and adolescence across key areas (e.g., education, child protection, health, social protection), including coordination in multi-stakeholder settings.
- Emergency preparedness and response considerations for gender and adolescents, including risk mitigation and safeguarding.
- Gender equality programming, including gender analysis, gender mainstreaming, and gender-responsive budgeting and results frameworks.
- Adolescent development and participation approaches, including safe and meaningful engagement of adolescents and youth-led action.
- Programme cycle management (situation analysis, theory of change, planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation) and results-based management.
- Evidence generation and use: qualitative/quantitative research methods, data interpretation, and translating evidence into policy/programme recommendations.
- Cross-sector integration of gender and adolescence across key areas (e.g., education, child protection, health, social protection), including coordination in multi-stakeholder settings.
- Emergency preparedness and response considerations for gender and adolescents, including risk mitigation and safeguarding.
Language Requirements:
- Fluency in English (verbal and written) is required.
Desirables:
- Experience supporting national systems strengthening and policy development related to gender equality and adolescent well-being.
- Experience working with government, civil society, and youth networks in the Philippines context.
- Demonstrated experience with donor reporting, proposal development, and resource mobilization.
- Familiarity with UN/UNICEF policies and programme guidance (e.g., gender, adolescent participation, safeguarding, PSEA).
- Experience integrating intersectionality and equity considerations (e.g., disability inclusion, indigenous peoples, SRHR, GBV risk mitigation).
- Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts.
How to apply
Qualified candidates are requested to complete an online candidate profile in http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/ by 14 April 2026. Only applications sent through the e-recruitment portal under 592172 will be considered.
By applying through our Talent Management System (TMS) you agree to our privacy statement which is in line with the Philippines’ Data Privacy Act. You are strongly advised to read carefully through the privacy statement before submitting your application.
For every Child, you demonstrate...
UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values
The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…
(1) Builds and maintains partnerships (2)
(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (2)
(3) Drive to achieve results for impact (2)
(4) Innovates and embraces change (2)
(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)
(6) Thinks and acts strategically (2)
(7) Works collaboratively with others (2)
Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.
UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.
UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.
UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.
UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.
Remarks:
As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.
UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable candidates irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, are encouraged to apply.
Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.
UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.
Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.
All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.
Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.