Details
Mission and objectives
UNICEF is committed to realising the rights of all children to help them build a strong foundation and have the best chance of fulfilling their potential.
We believe that ensuring a child is happy and healthy begins before birth: from ensuring their mother has access to good health care to reaching adulthood as a healthy, empowered and informed young person of the next generation. This journey relies on every child having access to quality health care, good nutrition, education, and growing up in a safe environment free from violence.
We believe that ensuring a child is happy and healthy begins before birth: from ensuring their mother has access to good health care to reaching adulthood as a healthy, empowered and informed young person of the next generation. This journey relies on every child having access to quality health care, good nutrition, education, and growing up in a safe environment free from violence.
Context
UNICEF South Africa implements a broad portfolio of programmes that advance child rights, adolescent development, education, health, child protection and social inclusion. Successful implementation of these programmes requires effective programme coordination, stakeholder engagement, knowledge management, reporting and collaboration with government institutions, development partners, civil society organizations and other United Nations agencies.
In addition to supporting its programme portfolio, UNICEF support the United Nations Country Team coordination mechanism that promotes collaboration among UN agencies to advance youth development, strengthen youth participation, support joint programming and coordinate implementation of youth-related priorities under the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF).
Hosted by UNICEF South Africa, this assignment provides an excellent opportunity for a young professional to gain practical experience in child rights and youth development programming while contributing to both UNICEF's programme portfolio and inter-agency coordination. Working under the supervision of the designated UNICEF Supervisor, the UN Volunteer will strengthen programme administration, stakeholder engagement, reporting, knowledge management and coordination of the Youth Theme Group.
The assignment provides exposure to programme management, youth development programming, inter-agency coordination, partnership development and implementation of the Cooperation Framework. Through structured mentoring, coaching and workplace learning, the UN Volunteer will strengthen practical competencies in programme administration, coordination, stakeholder engagement and project management.
In addition to supporting its programme portfolio, UNICEF support the United Nations Country Team coordination mechanism that promotes collaboration among UN agencies to advance youth development, strengthen youth participation, support joint programming and coordinate implementation of youth-related priorities under the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF).
Hosted by UNICEF South Africa, this assignment provides an excellent opportunity for a young professional to gain practical experience in child rights and youth development programming while contributing to both UNICEF's programme portfolio and inter-agency coordination. Working under the supervision of the designated UNICEF Supervisor, the UN Volunteer will strengthen programme administration, stakeholder engagement, reporting, knowledge management and coordination of the Youth Theme Group.
The assignment provides exposure to programme management, youth development programming, inter-agency coordination, partnership development and implementation of the Cooperation Framework. Through structured mentoring, coaching and workplace learning, the UN Volunteer will strengthen practical competencies in programme administration, coordination, stakeholder engagement and project management.
Task description
Under the direct supervision of the designated Digital Impact Officer, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:
1. Support programme coordination and implementation
● Assist with coordinating programme activities, meetings, workshops, consultations and field missions, ensuring effective logistical and administrative support.
● Contribute to the implementation of approved work plans and support the timely delivery of programme outputs.
2. Conduct research, data collection and basic analysis
● Conduct desk research and compile information on child rights, adolescent development, youth participation, education, health, child protection and social inclusion.
● Assist with data collection, compilation and basic analysis to support programme planning, implementation and evidence-informed decision-making.
● Support the preparation of background papers, briefing notes, concept notes, presentations and other technical documentation.
3. Support monitoring, reporting and results tracking
● Assist in monitoring programme implementation by maintaining activity trackers, compiling programme information and supporting the collection of performance data.
● Contribute to the preparation of programme reports, Youth Theme Group updates and other reporting requirements.
4. Support knowledge management and documentation
● Organize and maintain programme documentation, electronic filing systems and information repositories. This includes updating and managing the U-Report ECM page.
● Document lessons learned, good practices and programme achievements to support institutional learning and knowledge sharing.
● Assist in maintaining records of Youth Theme Group coordination activities, programme documentation and knowledge products.
5. Support stakeholder engagement and operational coordination
● Assist in coordinating engagement with government departments, youth-led organizations, civil society organizations, development partners, academic institutions, community organizations and other United Nations agencies.
● Support the organization of meetings, consultations, workshops and partnership engagements, including logistical and operational arrangements.
● Maintain stakeholder databases and support follow-up on agreed collaborative actions.
6. Support communication and visibility
● Assist in compiling programme information, activity highlights and supporting documentation for internal updates, reports and other communication products.
● Support the documentation of meetings, workshops, consultations and youth engagement activities by preparing event summaries, maintaining activity records and compiling supporting information where appropriate.
● Assist in preparing presentations, briefing materials and other information products that support programme implementation, stakeholder engagement and knowledge sharing.
7. Provide general administrative support
● Provide administrative support for programme operations, including meeting logistics, travel arrangements, procurement documentation, records management, filing systems and correspondence.
● Assist with maintaining financial and administrative documentation in accordance with UNICEF policies and procedures.
● Perform other programme support and administrative duties as assigned by the supervisor.
8. Provide U-Report Digital Engagement and Participation Support
In addition to the above Digital Engagement Volunteer will support UNICEF South Africa and the Department of Basic Education (DBE) to strengthen meaningful child and youth participation through the U-Report platform and related digital engagement initiatives, as below:
● Support the rollout and expansion of the U-Report platform among learners in public schools to increase learner participation, engagement and feedback on education-related issues.
● Assist with the smooth day-to-day management, monitoring and functionality of the RapidPro platform, that powers U-Report, including developing, uploading, testing and managing U-Report content, e.g., polls, chatbots, message alerts, information campaigns and links to services and resources.
● Support the development and submission of U-Report poll proposals for ethics review and approval, and incorporate revisions required for final approval.
● Support monitoring of the U-Report platform performance, including registrations, engagement trends, response rates and participation patterns to inform decision making
● Assist collaboration with the relevant actors, e.g. DBE directorates, management and subject specialists, UNICEF programme staff, U-Report Global Communication and Advocacy, PG-SBC Team, DiD-RapidPro, and the RapidPro platform host and technical support team.
● Assist with real-time U-Report data and produce summaries, presentations and reports for UNICEF, DBE and other stakeholders to support evidence-informed decision-making.
● Assist with maintaining and updating U-Report knowledge management resources and U-Report ECM page.
● Support the implementation of systematic feedback loops to ensure that children and young people receive information on how their views are considered and acted upon.
● Assist with the establishment and coordination of learner participation mechanisms linked to U-Report, including advisory groups.
● Support coordination of in-school activations, on-line and offline youth consultations, outreach activities and campaigns
● Contribute to preparing U-Report reports, case studies, presentations, success stories and learning products.
● Support management of U-Report social media channels and digital engagement activities, in collaboration with UNICEF Communication and Advocacy colleagues and relevant DBE counterparts.
● Liaise with UNICEF programme sections, DBE directorates, technical partners, RapidPro support teams and global U-Report stakeholders to facilitate effective implementation of U-Report activities.
● Support the use of U-Report during emergencies or rapid-response situations by assisting with dissemination of timely information and collection of feedback from learners and young people.
1. Support programme coordination and implementation
● Assist with coordinating programme activities, meetings, workshops, consultations and field missions, ensuring effective logistical and administrative support.
● Contribute to the implementation of approved work plans and support the timely delivery of programme outputs.
2. Conduct research, data collection and basic analysis
● Conduct desk research and compile information on child rights, adolescent development, youth participation, education, health, child protection and social inclusion.
● Assist with data collection, compilation and basic analysis to support programme planning, implementation and evidence-informed decision-making.
● Support the preparation of background papers, briefing notes, concept notes, presentations and other technical documentation.
3. Support monitoring, reporting and results tracking
● Assist in monitoring programme implementation by maintaining activity trackers, compiling programme information and supporting the collection of performance data.
● Contribute to the preparation of programme reports, Youth Theme Group updates and other reporting requirements.
4. Support knowledge management and documentation
● Organize and maintain programme documentation, electronic filing systems and information repositories. This includes updating and managing the U-Report ECM page.
● Document lessons learned, good practices and programme achievements to support institutional learning and knowledge sharing.
● Assist in maintaining records of Youth Theme Group coordination activities, programme documentation and knowledge products.
5. Support stakeholder engagement and operational coordination
● Assist in coordinating engagement with government departments, youth-led organizations, civil society organizations, development partners, academic institutions, community organizations and other United Nations agencies.
● Support the organization of meetings, consultations, workshops and partnership engagements, including logistical and operational arrangements.
● Maintain stakeholder databases and support follow-up on agreed collaborative actions.
6. Support communication and visibility
● Assist in compiling programme information, activity highlights and supporting documentation for internal updates, reports and other communication products.
● Support the documentation of meetings, workshops, consultations and youth engagement activities by preparing event summaries, maintaining activity records and compiling supporting information where appropriate.
● Assist in preparing presentations, briefing materials and other information products that support programme implementation, stakeholder engagement and knowledge sharing.
7. Provide general administrative support
● Provide administrative support for programme operations, including meeting logistics, travel arrangements, procurement documentation, records management, filing systems and correspondence.
● Assist with maintaining financial and administrative documentation in accordance with UNICEF policies and procedures.
● Perform other programme support and administrative duties as assigned by the supervisor.
8. Provide U-Report Digital Engagement and Participation Support
In addition to the above Digital Engagement Volunteer will support UNICEF South Africa and the Department of Basic Education (DBE) to strengthen meaningful child and youth participation through the U-Report platform and related digital engagement initiatives, as below:
● Support the rollout and expansion of the U-Report platform among learners in public schools to increase learner participation, engagement and feedback on education-related issues.
● Assist with the smooth day-to-day management, monitoring and functionality of the RapidPro platform, that powers U-Report, including developing, uploading, testing and managing U-Report content, e.g., polls, chatbots, message alerts, information campaigns and links to services and resources.
● Support the development and submission of U-Report poll proposals for ethics review and approval, and incorporate revisions required for final approval.
● Support monitoring of the U-Report platform performance, including registrations, engagement trends, response rates and participation patterns to inform decision making
● Assist collaboration with the relevant actors, e.g. DBE directorates, management and subject specialists, UNICEF programme staff, U-Report Global Communication and Advocacy, PG-SBC Team, DiD-RapidPro, and the RapidPro platform host and technical support team.
● Assist with real-time U-Report data and produce summaries, presentations and reports for UNICEF, DBE and other stakeholders to support evidence-informed decision-making.
● Assist with maintaining and updating U-Report knowledge management resources and U-Report ECM page.
● Support the implementation of systematic feedback loops to ensure that children and young people receive information on how their views are considered and acted upon.
● Assist with the establishment and coordination of learner participation mechanisms linked to U-Report, including advisory groups.
● Support coordination of in-school activations, on-line and offline youth consultations, outreach activities and campaigns
● Contribute to preparing U-Report reports, case studies, presentations, success stories and learning products.
● Support management of U-Report social media channels and digital engagement activities, in collaboration with UNICEF Communication and Advocacy colleagues and relevant DBE counterparts.
● Liaise with UNICEF programme sections, DBE directorates, technical partners, RapidPro support teams and global U-Report stakeholders to facilitate effective implementation of U-Report activities.
● Support the use of U-Report during emergencies or rapid-response situations by assisting with dissemination of timely information and collection of feedback from learners and young people.
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Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify. Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.