Adolescent Development Officer

Position NO1 will be open for all candidates for one week. No ad in news paper is required.

JOB TITLE:     Adolescent and Youth Empowerment Officer

REPORTS TO: Education Specialist / 16012

LOCATION:    UNICEF Kosovo Prishtina

 

PURPOSE OF THE JOB

Accountable for the identification, design, development, and implementation of programme initiatives that promotes institutional and community social change for adolescent and youth empowerment and participation; Development and management of programming and policy advocacy to revise and advance formal structures and link grassroots, equitable youth empowerment structures and initiatives; Support, guidance, and cooperation with the Child Rights Monitoring and Advocacy Unit, the Youth and Adolescent Unit, and the Communications for Development function.

Accountable for professional technical contribution to project design, planning, administration, monitoring and evaluation in the field of Youth and Adolescent empowerment, supporting the programme design, planning, implementation, management and evaluation of programme/project activities, including data analysis and progress reporting in support of achievement of planned objectives of the work plan, aligned with Kosovo programme goals and strategy.

KEY END-RESULTS

1. Situation Analysis prepared/updated, critical programme intervention point/measures identified, and programme work plans/recommendations prepared and incorporated. Programme reports prepared as required.
2. Institutional and community-based initiatives are designed and implemented to promote adolescent's participation, youth empowerment in collaboration with central and local institutions. Effective knowledge management and system, information exchange and the development of training and orientation materials developed and deployed for strengthening of Youth and Adolescent Empowerment programme and its activities.
3. Programme funds optimally used.
4.  Programme monitoring and evaluations effectively conducted to improve programme performance, and programme status report timely prepared.
5. Rights-based and results-based programming approach fully incorporated into all phases of programme and projects processes.
6. Commitment and institutional capacities of the national and local partners gained and established.
7.  Rights perspective and advocacy at the community and family levels incorporated in policy analysis for establishing and elevating UNICEF's credibility in national and international policy debates.
8. Effective partnership and collaboration achieved and maintained for advocacy, technical cooperation, programme development/management/coordination, information sharing and networking.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES and DUTIES & TASKS 

Within the delegated authority and under the given organizational set-up, the incumbent may be assigned the primarily, shared, or contributory accountabilities for all or part of the following areas of major duties and key end-results.

1. Knowledge Management for Programmes

Contribute to country programmes by supporting knowledge management through providing professional assistance in data collection and analysis, complete and accurate reporting as well as participation in the Programme Knowledge Network system of "lessons learned" and other corporate-level databases.

Participate in information exchange with partners as well as in the development of training and orientation material by providing professional technical assistance. Participate in the preparation of, and making professional contribution to, the preparation of programme reports required for the management.

2. Programme Development and Management

Provide professional technical assistance in the preparation of the Situation Analysis for programme development and management by collecting and analyzing data and monitoring implementation progress. Contribute to the identification of critical intervention points and measures by administering a consistent and transparent monitoring system; analyse country level socio-political-economic trends and their implications for ongoing programmes and projects. Draft or prepare programme work plans as required. Propose adjustments/changes in work plans. Propose program recommendations for inclusion in formal programme documentation, and new approaches, methods and practices for supervisor.

3. Optimum Use Of Program Funds

Monitors programme implementation progress and compliance. Monitors the allocation and disbursement of programme funds, making sure that funds are properly coordinated, monitored and liquidated. Takes appropriate recommendations or actions to optimize use of programme funds.

4. Programme Monitoring and Evaluations

Undertakes field visits to monitor and assess programme implementation and decides on required corrective action.

Collaborate with partners to carry out a rigorous and transparent approach to evaluation and participate in the major programme evaluation exercises in consultation with the Representative, the Operations Officer, the Evaluation Officer and others to improve efficiency and quality of programme delivery. Participate in annual sector review meetings with government counterparts. Collaborate and prepare annual program status reports in a timely manner, as required.

5. Rights-Based and Results-Based Programme Management Approach

Support rights-based programmes approach in the formulation of programme goals and objectives and development of strategies and implementation frameworks. Collaborate with partners and assist in the strengthening of quality of child rights-based programmes consistent and effective planning, design, implementation, monitoring and/or evaluation of programmes and projects. Contribute to coherence, synergy and added value to the programming planning and design processes using a results-based management approach to programme planning and design. Provide professional technical assistance in preparing viable recommendations on project implementation, alternative approaches, and optimal utilization of resources that contribute effectively to the fulfilment of the rights of children and women, and recommendations on programme, new initiatives and management issues to ensure achievement of stated objectives.

6. National and Local Capacity Building/Sustainability

Provide government authorities with technical assistance and support in planning and organizing training programmes for the purpose of capacity building and programme sustainability.

Promote and maintain the building and reinforcing of the commitment and institutional capacities of the national and local partners by identifying these partners and partnerships and providing continuous supports, coordination and collaboration for sustainability.

7. Rights Perspective and Advocacy at the National, Community and Family Levels

Analyse programme related issues and policies from a children's and women's rights perspective and  advocacy at the community and family levels for elevating credibility in national policy debates. Promote the organization goals of UNICEF through active advocacy and communication.

8. Partnership, Coordination and Collaboration.

Facilitate partnership and collaboration with internal and external counterparts, including those of the UN and national partners, in order to improve the ability to collect and disseminate development data and information, exchange information on programme/project status and implementation and movement/distribution of supplies. Establish and maintain linkage to the Regional Programme Knowledge Network to ensure the availability of current and accurate programme data.

Collaborate with the Operations Section to establish and maintain sound internal controls supportive of programming endeavors and to coordinate financial and supply management requirements and accountability.  Approve allocation and disbursement of funds ensuring they are properly coordinated, monitored and liquidated in accordance with the programme budget allotments (PBA).

Maintain close collaboration with Regional Advisers and HQ Officers for overall coordination.

Provide professional support in provision of technical advice, negotiation, advocacy and promotion of area/country level goals, leading to agreement on practicable and priority actions to be supported by UNICEF programme.

JOB GRADE FACTORS [1]

Level 1

- The scope of the job duties range from proper data collection and analysis, the timely preparation of routine, concise and accurate monitoring reports, including monitoring project status and the flow of supply and non supply assistance, recommending appropriate adjustments as required, to preparation of timely and accurate budget reports.

- The job requires primarily professional analytical and contributory technical work, including collection and assembly of data and background information; prepares tables, graphs or other statistical data for technical review and monitoring purposes. Individual decisions will be mostly technical judgement in provision of technical assistance to local counterparts, advocacy related to legal protection issues, and on the processing of the work, subject to the consent from the supervisor. The work must contribute to the achievement of team's planned objectives at the professional quality level. The supervisor guides and oversees the work process, progress and end-results.

- Professional support work includes administration of ongoing programmes/projects within established rules and regulations.

QUALIFICATION and COMPETENCIES

Education: Master degree in Social Sciences, Conflict Resolution/peace-building, International Relations, Political Science, Social Policy, Social Development, or other relevant disciplines, preferably with focus on youth empowerment.

Work Experience: Minimum two years of relevant professional work experience. Relevant field work experience with youth and adolescent empowerment programs, community organizing and community advocacy, communications for development, and human-centered and participatory design.

Language Proficiency:  Fluency in English and local working language of the duty station.

Competency Profile

Core Values (Required)

Commitment 

Diversity and Inclusion 

Integrity 

Core Competencies (Required)

Communication  [ II ] 

Working with People [ I ]

Drive for Results [ II ]

Functional Competencies (Required)

Formulating Strategies and Concepts [ I ]

Analyzing [ I] 

Applying Technical Expertise [ II ]

Learning and Researching [ II ] 

Planning and Organizing [ II ]

Technical Knowledge[2]

Specific Technical Knowledge Required

Rights-based and Results-based approach and programming in UNICEF.

UNICEF programme policy, procedures and guidelines in the Manual.

Mid-Term Strategic Plan

Essential technical knowledge of theories, principles and methods in the area of Youth and Adolescent Development, and UNICEF Principles for Innovation and Technology in Development.

 

Common Technical Knowledge Required (for the job group)

Methodology of programme/project management

Sectorial Programmatic goals, policies and strategies

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

UNICEF policies and strategy in child protection, including programmes in post-conflict situations

UNICEF financial, supply and administrative rules and regulations.

Rights-based and Results-based approach and programming in UNICEF.

UNICEF programme policy, procedures and guidelines in the Manual.

Mid-Term Strategic Plan

UN guideline on sexual exploitation and abuse by UN staff and partners.

 

Technical Knowledge to be Acquired/Enhanced (for the Job)

Government development plans, policies and strategies related to youth, child/legal protection and child rights

Knowledge of local conditions and country legislation relevant to UNICEF programmes

UN policies and strategy to address international humanitarian issues and the responses

UN common approaches to programmatic issues and UNICEF positions

• UN security operations and guidelines.