The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Maseru, Lesotho is inviting applications from suitably qualified baSotho nationals for the Fixed-Term post of: ADOLESCENT AND DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST, NO-C
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 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.
If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world’s leading child rights organization would like to hear from you.
Fixed-Term
Duration: 2 years
Purpose of the post:
The Adolescent Development Specialist reports to the Chief of Education (Basic Education and Adolescent Development) for guidance and general supervision. The Specialist provides support to country office colleagues and internal and external partners and stakeholders throughout the programming processes by providing technical, administrative and operational support to country office colleagues and internal and external partners and stakeholders to ensure that education, adolescent development and participation and child rights established under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, international treaties/framework and UN intergovernmental bodies, are integrated in UNICEF’s advocacy, policies, programmes and humanitarian work.
This Adolescent Development Specialist contributes to the achievement of concrete and sustainable results on education and adolescent development related programmes/projects according to plans, allocation, results based-management approaches and methodology (RBM) and UNICEF’s Strategic Plans, standards of performance and accountability framework.
Responsibilities include:
1. Support to education and adolescent development programmes development and planning
Update the situation analysis by conducting assessments to establish evidence-based data for UNICEF advocacy and development of policies, framework and programmes to promote education, adolescent development and participation in the country and for monitoring results on related programmes/projects.
Assess national/regional/international development priorities to identify opportunities and courses of action to enhance the delivery of services and achieve objectives on education, adolescent development and participation in the country.
Participate throughout the process of CO programme formulation, planning and preparation to provide input, advice and operational support on the integration of policies and frameworks that promote adolescent education and development and participation and to ensure that crosscutting issues such as gender, disabilities, the rights of minority and marginalized groups are considered and integrated within the country programmes and projects.
Establish specific goals, objectives, strategies and implementation plans for the education and adolescent development programmes/projects using results-based planning terminology and methodology (RBM). Prepare relevant documentations for programme review and approval.
Work closely and collaboratively with colleagues and partners to discuss methodologies and to assess national priorities/competencies to ensure the achievement of concrete and sustainable results.
2. Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results
Plan and/or collaborate with internal and external partners to establish monitoring benchmarks, performance indicators and other UNICEF/UN system indicators and measurements to assess and strengthen performance accountability, coherence and delivery of sustainable results on education and development programmes and projects.
Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual reviews with government and other counterparts to assess progress and to determine required action/interventions to achieve results.
Prepare/assess monitoring and evaluation reports to identify gaps, strengths/weaknesses in programme and management, identify lessons learned and use knowledge gained for development planning and timely intervention to achieve goals.
Actively monitor education and development programmes/projects through field visits, surveys and/or exchange of information with partners/stakeholders to assess progress, identify bottlenecks, and take timely decisions to resolve issues and/or refer to relevant officials for timely resolution.
Monitor and verify the optimum/appropriate use of programme resources (financial, administrative and other assets) confirming compliance with organizational rules, regulations/procedures and donor commitments, standards of accountability, integrity and ensuring timely reporting and liquidation of resources.
Prepare regular/mandated programme/project reports for management, donors and partners to keep them informed of programme progress.
3. Technical and operational support to programme implementation
Provide technical guidance and operational support to government counterparts, NGO partners, UN system partners and country office partners/donors on policies, practices and methodologies on education and development and participation to support programme management, implementation and delivery of results.
Participate in programme meetings including programme development and contingency planning to provide technical and operational information, advice and support.
Draft relevant policy papers, briefs and other strategic programme materials for management use, information and/or consideration.
4. Networking and partnership building
Build and sustain effective close working partnerships with relevant government counterparts, national stakeholders and global partners/allies/donors/academia through active networking, advocacy and effective communication to build capacity, exchange knowledge/expertise and to reinforce cooperation to achieve sustainable and broad results on education, adolescent development and participation initiatives.
Prepare communication and information materials for programme advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnerships/alliances and to ensure that education, adolescent development and participation programmes and initiatives are adequately resourced and supported.
Participate and/or represent UNICEF in appropriate inter-agency (UNCT) discussions and planning on education and adolescent development related issues to collaborate with inter-agency partners/colleagues on UNDAF planning and preparation of programmes/projects ensuring organizational position, interests and priorities are fully considered and integrated in the UNDAF process in development planning and agenda setting including emergency preparedness.
5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building
Apply/introduce innovative approaches and good practices on education, adolescent development and participation to build the capacity of partners and stakeholders and to support the implementation and delivery of concrete and sustainable programme results.
Keep abreast, research, benchmark and implement best practices on education, adolescent development and participation. Assess, institutionalize and share best practices and knowledge learned.
Contribute to the development and implementation of policies and procedures to ensure optimum efficiency and efficacy of sustainable programmes and projects.
Organize and implement capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders to promote sustainable results on related programmes/projects.
Education requirements:
- An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required:
- anthropology, psychology, sociology, education or another relevant technical field.
- A first level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
Work experience:
- A minimum of five years of professional experience in education/social development planning and management in adolescent development related areas is required.
- Experience of managing/implementing formal and/or non-formal education initiatives aimed at adolescents is considered an asset.
- Field experience is considered as an asset.
- Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.
Language Requirements:
- Fluency in English is required as well as in a local language of the duty station.
Competencies and level of proficiency required:
- Core Values
- Commitment
- Diversity and inclusion
- Integrity
- Core competencies
- Communication
- Working with people
- Drive for results
- Functional Competencies
- Leading and supervising
- Formulating strategies and concepts
- Analyzing
- Relating and networking
- Deciding and Initiating action
- Applying technical expertise
More Information
- Job City Lesotho
