Youth Engagement Associate, YuWaah

Details

Mission and objectives

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.

Context

In recent years, UNICEF’s work to support the unique needs of young people has gained momentum, as the challenges facing them have come more sharply into view. UNICEF is committed to deliver for all children and young people through its overall impact goal of ‘realizing the rights of every child, especially the most disadvantaged. Building on the current work with, and for, adolescents, in line with the United Nations Youth Strategy, UNICEF is developing a new global partnership, Generation Unlimited (GenU), which is dedicated to expanding opportunity for young people from ages 10 to 24 years. Maximising the potential of the United Nations system, Governments, Civil Society Organizations and the private sector, and of young people themselves, GenU is focused on finding new ways to ensure that every young person is in school, undergoing formal or informal learning or training, or is employed by 2030. The focus will be on reaching those in the greatest danger of being left behind: including girls, the poor, young people with disabilities or on the move, or affected by conflict and natural disasters. The India version of GenU has been named YuWaah. It signifies catalytic partnerships to unleash the potential of adolescents and young people. YuWaah has been designed to allow co-creation of solutions that are relevant and scalable for ensuring that young people in India have opportunity and choices for learning; have avenues and spaces for functional and vocational training and can choose between employment and entrepreneurship which are accessible locally. Out of the three pillars under GenU/YuWaah, Pillar 3 involves partnering with and engaging young people as changemakers and creating spaces for developing their leadership. This pillar specifically involves: 1. Youth-led innovations and fostering the development of design thinking and problem-solving skills in young people 2. Facilitating meaningful civic engagement of young people

Task description

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision and guidance of Chief of Generation Unlimited, India and secondary reporting to the Adolescent and Youth Development Specialist, YuWaah or designated mandated representative(s), the NUNV Youth Engagement Associate will undertake the following tasks to fulfill the objectives of YuWaah: I) Support Implementation i. Corresponding to SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, establish partnerships with key stakeholders and provide implementation support to initiatives under the thematic area of adolescent and youth engagement across SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG S6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), and SDG 13 (Climate Action). ii. Support localization and implementation of YuWaah’s Social Innovation Curricula UPSHIFT across varied Indian contexts, suited for young people’s diverse needs. iii. Closely liaise with key partners including the young people, Government entities, other UN agencies, NGOs, representatives from the private sector in planning, deployment and monitoring of agreed upon solutions with a focus on adolescent and youth engagement. iv. Contribute to YuWaah’s strategic planning functions, including work plan development and monitoring, with special focus on adolescent and youth engagement programme implementation, monitoring, assistance to states, documentation and research. v. Create, coordinate and maintain an active network of Delhi & Field colleagues and a partner database, organizing regular calls and sharing of information. vi. Develop a matrix to aggregate field results as contributing to YuWaah’s goals. vii. Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by your supervisor. II) Knowledge Management i. Contribute to knowledge management by preparing briefing notes, meeting documentation, newsletter to help advance the adolescent and youth engagement work of YuWaah through regular communication and information sharing. ii. Ensure accurate and timely dissemination of updates on on-going adolescent and youth engagement initiatives within the YuWaah and UNICEF India offices and their partners. iii. Contribute to regional and global bulletins as requested. iv. Work with communication advocacy and partnership staff in the selection and dissemination of information on YuWaah to national, international and local levels. III) Documentation i. Support the process of preparation of YuWaah documents, notes, investment case, etc. ii. Prepare programme and project status reports required for the section, Management, Government reviews, programme analysis, Annual Reports, etc. iii. Contribute to the planning and review of the YuWaah annual work plan and of other strategic and programme documents. iv. Assist in drafting briefing notes, talking points, funding proposals, presentations and preparing donor reports. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities: Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day);  Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;  Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.  Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;  Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers;  Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible. Results/expected outputs:  As an active UNICEF India team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high quality support rendered to UNICEF India and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including: a) A repository of information and resources on issues related to adolescent and youth engagement initiatives is readily available, accessible and updated b) Plan for documentation of adolescent and young engagement initiatives developed and regularly implemented with a focus on establishing Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17). c) State offices, UN agencies, partner organizations and young people received regular updates and information about YuWaah youth engagement initiatives and programme database maintained. d) Funding proposals, concept notes, donor reports, programme reports and briefing notes prepared. e) A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed.  Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment  A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed.