Volunteer Expert (for the Nationals of North Macedonia only)

The UNICEF Country Office in North Macedonia seeks a consultant that will provide expert support to develop a volunteer strategy and pilot volunteer initiatives for UNICEF in North Macedonia. The Volunteer Expert will contribute to the design, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of activities in Communication, Advocacy and Partnerships with a focus on Volunteering, networks for promoting child rights and to support the country office to build and/or expand relations with key national structures such as policy makers from central and decentralized governments, civil society organizations and social networks as well as the private sector. Provide professional technical assistance and support for the design, planning and Implementation of volunteer projects, knowledge management strategies, services and products, data analysis and progress reporting, in support of achievement of Country Programme expected results. Provide technical assistance and support for the design, planning and implementation of a Volunteer Strategy to leverage more voluntary initiatives for the fulfilment of children’s rights. Provide expertise and guidance in the training and management of volunteers, developing training materials and strategies for their incorporation into results areas in the Country Programme Working under the direct supervision and guidance of the Communication Officer and in cooperation with programme colleagues, the Volunteer Expert will be fully provided with opportunities to be creative, innovative and drive new ideas.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, hope

Background and scope

Millions of people all over the world support UNICEF and our cause for children. They raise money, they campaign, and, in some countries, they volunteer to help children in myriad ways. There is an opportunity to build on this force for good and go to another level of engagement with a committed group of volunteer supporters.

Volunteers are uniquely able to help UNICEF:

• create a stronger connection, better communication, and more accountability between UNICEF and the communities it serves;

• foster vibrant discussion, debate, and sharing of information about child well-being in the places where UNICEF operates, and

• grow our presence and reach in the places where we work, thus enhancing the impact of programmatic interventions and making our voice for child rights more potent; To plan for and organize this work, however, UNICEF need the support of a dedicated person, equipped with the knowledge and skills to harness this tremendous volunteer potential and focus their efforts towards dynamic and impact results. 

How can you make a difference?

The Volunteer Expert will contribute to the design, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of activities in Communication, Advocacy and Partnerships with a focus on Volunteering, networks for promoting child rights and to support the country office to build and/or expand relations with key national structures such as policy makers from central and decentralized governments, civil society organizations and social networks as well as the private sector.

Provide professional technical assistance and support for the design, planning and Implementation of volunteer projects, knowledge management strategies, services and products, data analysis and progress reporting, in support of achievement of Country Programme expected results.

Provide technical assistance and support for the design, planning and implementation of a Volunteer Strategy to leverage more voluntary initiatives for the fulfillment of children’s rights.

Provide expertise and guidance in the training and management of volunteers, developing training materials and strategies for their incorporation into results areas in the Country Programme

Working under the direct supervision and guidance of the Communication Officer and in cooperation with programme colleagues, the Volunteer Expert will be fully provided with opportunities to be creative, innovative and drive new ideas. 

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Conceptualize, design and implement volunteer initiatives with government and CSOs with the aim of furthering Child Rights and Child Participation.
2. Create new opportunities of engagement with existing government institutions that support volunteering.
3. Working with the UNICEF programme and communication teams, develop integrated strategies for engagement opportunities. Maximize existing points of contact with UNICEF audiences and to broaden the spectrum of opportunities for volunteers to participate in the UNICEF mission/mandate.
4. Monitor and document ongoing volunteer projects in the country and explore new opportunities for future engagement with volunteers.
5. Conceptualize, design and implement partnerships with selected private sector companies and corporative with the aim of furthering Child Rights and Child Participation.
6. In partnership with government agencies, explore further opportunities in private sector engagement and corporate social responsibility.
7. Within already-existing national framework, support capacity-building efforts to strengthen capacity of key child rights-focused partner at all levels of society to ensure better programming and national planning for all children at schools and community levels, including capacity building of volunteers at central and community level.
8. Support development of a package of basic training materials for current and future UNICEF volunteers.
9. Analyze and evaluate data on partnerships and volunteer initiatives to ensure achievement of objectives and/or take corrective action when necessary to meet project and programme objectives.
10. Map wider volunteer initiatives in the country, and potential partners (organisations as well as individuals) for volunteer programmes and actions. 
11. Provide support in coordination of all activities regarding volunteer initiative within UNICEF Office.
12. Provide support in develop strategic partnerships with key national and decentralized level players including Parliamentarians, national government officials, civil society organizations, Faith-based Organizations, community-based organizations and other development partners to achieve country programme goals and for their participation in/and support to implementation of the country programme.
13. Document best practices, lessons learned and success stories.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• University degree in the social/behavioral sciences (communication, marketing, public health), international relations or in a related technical field.
• Knowledge in Human Rights Based Approach, Results-based management, Child Rights, gender issues, child participation and strategic partnerships an asset.
• Fluency in both English and Macedonian languages (written and spoken) is required. Knowledge of Albanian language is an asset.
• Three years practical professional work experience in volunteer initiatives.  Experience in programme design, management, implementation, monitoring and evaluation related to networking and partnerships for child rights and youth engagement; or experience in advocacy, communication and partnerships; and/or experience in developing capacity building packages and in delivering training; would be assets.

PAYMENT SCHEDULE:

Payment will be made monthly based on submission of monthly invoices by the consultant based on completion of key monthly deliverables.

UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/outputs is incomplete, not delivered or for failure to meet deadlines. All materials developed will remain the copyright of UNICEF and UNICEF will be free to adapt and modify them in the future.

TRAVEL:

Some travel outside of Skopje may be required. UNICEF Country Office will cover related travel and transport costs as per local UN policy.  All travel will be subject to approval before travel is conducted. The consultant must be fit to travel, be in a possession of the valid own travel/medical insurance, and obligatory inoculation(s).

How to apply:

Interested candidates should submit:

1. Upload the most recent CV and Letter of interest; 

3. Upload your financial offer with monthly rate in USD as a separate document

Duration of consultancy contract: 11.5 months with a possibility for extension

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

View our competency framework at

http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

 

Remarks:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.