Programme Officer (Adolescent Development) NO1 Bogotá Colombia

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 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. While the adolescent period is characterized by a period of heightened vulnerabilities, it also provides a window of opportunity for successful transition to adulthood and equality especially for the most disadvantaged adolescents. Identifying these most disadvantaged adolescents and designing our interventions to address the barriers that limit their fulfillment of rights to development, protection and participation is instrumental to breaking cycles of deprivation and poverty for these adolescents

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.

For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.

Purpose of the Position

The Adolescent Development Officer reports to the Education Specialist for close guidance and supervision. The Officer provides 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 program information and learning organizational rules, regulations and procedures, to support the development and formulation of the adolescent development and participation program/projects within the Country Program

Key Expected Results

The efficiency and efficacy of support provided by the Officer to adolescent development and participation program preparation and planning and implementation of programs/projects, contribute to achievement of sustainable results on adolescent development and participation programs. Success in adolescent development and participation programs and projects in turn contribute to maintaining/enhancing the credibility and ability of UNICEF to provide program services for mothers and children that promotes greater social equality in the country.

Key Accountabilities and Duties & Tasks

1. Support to program development and planning

• Research and analyze regional and national political, health, social and economic development trends. Collect, analyze, verify and synthesize information to facilitate program development, design and preparation.
• Prepare technical reports and inputs for program preparation and documentation ensuring accuracy, timeliness and relevancy of information.
• Facilitate the development/establishment of adolescent development and participation program goals, objectives and strategies and results-based planning through research, collection, analysis and reporting of related information for development planning and priority and goal setting.
• Provide technical and administrative support throughout all stages of programming processes by executing/administering a variety of technical program transactions and preparing materials/documentations in accordance with organizational rules, processes and systems for program planning, results based planning (RBM) and monitoring and evaluations.

2.Program implementation, monitoring and delivery of results:

• Work closely and collaboratively with internal and external colleagues and partners to collect/analyze/share information on implementation issues, suggest solutions on routine program 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.
• Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, program reviews and annual program reviews with government and other counterparts and prepare minutes/reports on results for follow up action by higher management and other stakeholders.
• Monitor and report on the use of adolescent development and participation program resources (financial, administrative and other assets), verify compliance with approved allocation/goals, organizational rules, regulations/procedures and donor commitments, standards of accountability and integrity. Report on issues identified to ensure timely resolution by management/stakeholders. Follow up on unresolved issues to ensure resolution Prepare inputs for program/donor reporting.

 3. Technical and operational support to program implementation

• Undertake field visits and surveys and/or collect/share information with partners/stakeholders to assess progress and provide technical support and/or refer to relevant officials for resolution. Report on critical issues, bottlenecks and potential problems for timely action to achieve results.
• Provide technical and operational support to government counterparts, NGO partners, UN system partners and other country office partners/donors on the application and understanding of UNICEF and adolescent development and participation policies, strategies, processes and best practices to support program implementation, operations and delivery of results.

 4. Networking and partnership building

• Build and sustain effective close working partnerships with government counterparts and national stakeholders through active sharing of information and knowledge to facilitate program implementation and build capacity of stakeholders to achieve and sustain results on adolescent development and participation programs/projects.
• Draft communication and information materials for CO program advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnership/alliances and support resource mobilization to ensure the adolescent development and participation programs/projects and adequately resourced and supported.
• Participate in appropriate inter-agency (UNCT) meetings/events on programming to collaborate with inter-agency partners/colleagues on UNDAF operational planning and preparation of adolescent development and participation programs/projects and to integrate and harmonize UNICEF position and strategies with the UNDAF development and planning process.
• Research information on potential donors and prepare resource mobilization materials and briefs for fund raising and partnership development purposes.

 5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Identify, capture, synthesize and share lessons learned for knowledge development and to build the capacity of stakeholders.
• Apply innovative approaches and promote good practice to support the implementation and delivery of concrete and sustainable program results.
• Research, benchmark and report on best and cutting edge practices for development planning of knowledge products and systems.
• Participate as resource person in capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders

Qualifications of Successful Candidate

Education:

A University Degree in anthropology, psychology, sociology, education or other social science field is required.

Experience:  

A minimum of one year of professional experience in social development planning and management in adolescent development related areas at the international level some of which preferably served in a developing country is required. Relevant experience in program/project development and management in related areas in a UN system agency or organization is an asset.

 Language Requirements:

Fluency in English is required.  Knowledge of another official UN language or a local language is an asset

Competencies of Successful Candidate

Core Values

• Commitment
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Integrity

Core competencies

• Communication
• Working with People
• Drive for Results

Functional Competencies

• Analyzing (II)
• Applying technical expertise (II)
• Learning and researching (II)
• Planning and organizing (II)
• Formulating strategies and concepts (I)

Technical Knowledge  

Knowledge of global human rights issues, specifically relating to children Adolescent and women.

Methodology of programme/project management

To view our competency framework, please click here. 

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation.