Youth Engagement Officer

Details

Mission and objectives

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programmes, 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. UNICEF reaffirms its commitment to leaving no one behind and promoting gender equality in all its programmes. UNICEF’s work on gender equality is guided by the Gender Action Plan 2018-2022, which advances Youth Participation and engagement, gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls in key areas of UNICEF's work.

Context

• As an active UNICEF team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to UNICEF and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including: • 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

Task description

Within the delegated authority and under the management and administration supervision of Erbil CFO and technical support from NOB ADAP officer at Erbil Field Office , and ,the UNV Youth Engagement Officer will: • Support the National Officer and ADAP programme team in Norther governorates including (Erbil, Duhok , Ninawa, Kirkuk, Sulaymaniyah) projects including monitoring and building capacity of partners on young people engagement, ensure that UNICEF supported project are fulfilling young people empowerment through LSCE training, including tailored transitions to entrepreneurship and young people positive engagement achieved. • Support the provision of hands-on technical quality assurance ensuring that ADAP programming are strongly implemented in all stages of programme management, including programme planning/design, implementation and monitoring/evaluation and reporting based on RBM principles in the southern area of Iraq. • Work closely and collaboratively with colleagues and partners to collect/analyze/share information on implementation issues with linkages to LSCE, innovation lab and young people social and business entrepreneurship and social cohesion programming, suggest solutions on routine programme 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. • Support the strengthening of national and local capacities for young people engagement concepts and approaches in close coordination with ADAP programme team in UNICEF; identify and lead new initiatives to strengthen national and local capacities for young people empowerment, entrepreneurship skills, engagement and advocacy initiatives. This includes guidance on region-specific strategic direction, ensuring technical excellence and overseeing the quality of programmatic work on gender equality. • Provide advice technical support and monitoring to the Government and CSO stakeholders to help integrate youth engagement into programmes interventions, expand networks and partnerships with appropriate government counterparts, civil society, youth groups and other stakeholders for young people – boys and girls- empowerment including tools and approaches that aims to provide knowledge, techniques, and tools to develop skills and changes in attitudes and behaviors. • Working with the ADAP team to check quality of programming under PROSPECTS grants with government and CSO partners. The level of technical support will feed in promoting sustainability of projects and expanding their impacts. • Identify and synthesize global and regional best practices and lessons learned for knowledge development, innovative methods to advance young people capacity building and development. • Liaise, support, and assist field level PM&E staff in overseeing the effective integration, monitoring and reporting. Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual programme reviews with government and other counterparts and prepare minutes/reports on results for follow up action by higher management and other stakeholders. • Support and work with local partners in ensuring reporting requirements are fully understood and adhered to (i.e translating the robust log frame into actual documentation and reporting on results according to set indicators). • Prepare technical reports and inputs for programme preparation and documentation, ensuring accuracy, timeliness and relevancy of information. Ensure gender equality approaches put fort by the program are well reflected and addressed • Participate and support in evidence-based programme/project planning on young people engagement, incorporating robust measurement and evaluation of results. • Support indicator identification, measurement and performance tracking as it relates to young people skills building and participation in labor market, designing and implementing youth led initiatives. • Liaise with other UN sister agencies under PROSPECTS grant including International Labor Organization ILO, World Bank , UNICEF and others. Supporting established referral mechanism and criteria for multipliers of collaboration. • Liaise and consult with sections, government, and other external partners (civil society, NGOs, private sector) to support convergence, and develop and reinforce partnerships in gender programming. • Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.