General
Description of assignment title: Youth Engagement Officer
Assignment country: Gambia
Expected start date: 04/14/2025
Sustainable Development Goal: 17. Partnerships for the goals
Volunteer category: National UN Volunteer Specialist
Host entity: UNICEF
Type: Onsite
Duration: 12 months
(with possibility of extension)
Number of assignments: 1
Duty stations: Banjul
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 more 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
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 more 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 The Gambia’s vision is for every child in The Gambia to grow up happy, healthy, and strong in an environment that supports them to thrive. UNICEF The Gambia’s Country Programme for 2024-2028 focuses on 4 goals:
- Every Child Survives and Thrives
- Every Child Learns and Develops
- Every Child is Protected
- Every Child lives free from poverty.
In line with UNICEF’s Strategic Plan 2022-2025, and UNICEF Gambia’s Country Programme 2024-2028, UNICEF Gambia is looking to strengthen its engagement with children, adolescents and youth and ensure their meaningful participation is shaping and leading our advocacy and programming priorities and campaigns. The new Youth Engagement Officer role will assist the UNICEF Gambia Country Office to develop, implement and monitor
effective and engaging advocacy campaigns involving young people, as well as managing U-Report The Gambia. Under the leadership of the Partnerships Manager, the role will support the development, implementation and monitoring of youth advocacy campaign strategies, partnership management and content creation.
Task description
The UNV Youth Engagement Officer will support the development of effective, integrated strategies for youth engagement in advocacy and campaigning. They will work collaboratively with colleagues across teams, as well as with external partners, to create meaningful opportunities for young people to take action in support of children’s rights through UNICEF’s campaigns and priority initiatives.
Duties include:
- Youth Engagement strategy development and implementation:
- Assist in the development of youth engagement strategies to achieve SMART outcomes.
- Youth Communication content development:
- Assist in the development and implementation of communication content development with and for youth as part of campaigns and advocacy priorities.
- Youth Engagement Platform management:
- Support content moderation, community management, content creation and M&E for youth focused digital platforms/communities. Assist in the local coordination and implementation of U-Report.
- Youth Advocates:
- Support the implementation of a local Youth Advocates programme: researching potential youth advocates; supporting workplan development and communication; supporting youth advocates in preparation for events/media; documenting learnings and successes.
- Safeguarding and participation:
- Ensure adherence to principles of child/youth participation and safeguarding when assisting in the development/implementation of all campaigns, communication products and platforms.
- Youth Engagement M&E:
- Support the monitoring and evaluation of youth engagement strategies, campaigns and platforms. Assist in the preparation of relevant reports.
- Project and budget management:
- Support the day-to-day delivery of key projects/ workstreams, developing and tracking project plans to ensure progress and address obstacles and bottlenecks. Support effective budget management, projections and tracking.
- Youth Engagement capacity building & Knowledge Management:
- Support the implementation of capacity building and knowledge management efforts. Assist in the development of trainings and workshops; and develop and disseminate case studies and other knowledge management products. ep4wZK0 BIpnb
- Stakeholder engagement:
- Research current and potential partners. Assist and maintain a database of formal and informal partnerships and networks whose support is essential to achieving objectives. Support the flow of information to key stakeholders.
- Others:
- Undertake other key responsibilities as required.
Eligibility criteria
Age: 18 – 80
Required experience
3 years
Nationality
Candidate must be a national or legal resident of the country of assignment.
Assignment requirements
Relevant experience
2 years
Languages
English, Level: Fluent, Required
Required education level
Bachelor degree or equivalent in Communications, Marketing, Journalism, International Relations, International Development, or another related field.
Competencies and values
Core Values
- Care
- Respect
- Integrity
- Trust
- Accountability
- Sustainability
Core Competencies
- Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1)
- Works Collaboratively with others (1)
- Builds and Maintains Partnerships (1)
- Innovates and Embraces Change (1)
- Thinks and Acts Strategically (1)
- Drive to achieve impactful results (1)
- Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)
Skills and experience
- Experience in supporting the development and implementation of youth engagement strategies and in designing content for youth audiences and/or community moderation of youth focused platforms.
- Knowledge of children’s rights, public policy, international development, and humanitarian issues.
- Knowledge of child safeguarding and ethics of working with children and youth
- Experience working for an advocacy or campaigning or other relevant programmes for an advocacy organisation e.g. NGO or international NGO; experience working in the UN or other international development organization is an asset.
- Experience in supporting training and facilitation is an asset.
- Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills.
- Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing.
- Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development.
- Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel.
- Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, among others), email, and internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment.
- Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines.
- Have affinity with or interest in UNICEF’s work, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN system.
Area(s) of expertise
Communication, Development programmes, Community development
Driving license
Other information
Living conditions and remarks
The UN Volunteer will be based in Banjul, the capital. The Gambia is situated at the tip of the West African coast and has a total surface area of approximately 10,360 square kilometres. Apart from the 48 km stretch at the Atlantic Ocean, The Gambia is landlocked by Senegal. The climate consists of a tropical hot rainy season from July to September and a cooler dry season from October to June. The Gambia has a total population of 2.3 million.
English is the official language. Mandinka and Wolof are the main local languages most widely used in the country. The Gambia is relatively peaceful, and the people are warm and friendly. Precautions should nevertheless be taken to avoid any unpleasant surprises. Free-lance tourist guides (locally known as bumsters) are common in tourist areas especially in hotels. The entire country is in security level 2 – Low.
The national currency in The Gambia is the Dalasi. Foreign currency can be exchanged at the official rate at selected branches of commercial banks. Only few major hotels that accept credit cards as means of payment.
Taxis are available at all places in the city. The most common form of travel is shared taxis yellow taxis) and private or tourist cabs (green taxis). The condition of roads in the city is poor. Driving standards are low with poor traffic discipline.
Upon arrival, a visa is given for those visitors coming from a country where there is no Gambian embassy available, or an entry clearance have been secured from the Department of Immigration on behalf of the visitor prior to their arrival. Visas are also given to tourists (chartered flight) upon arrival for a maximum period of 30 days. All other visas need to be processed and obtained prior to travel.
Firearms, illicit drugs, and pornographic material are banned while homosexuality is strictly unwelcome in the country. Customs officials may inspect suitcases for prohibited items.
Inclusivity statement
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
Reasonable accommodation
UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for UN Volunteers with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process and afterwards in your assignment.
Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements
In addition to duty station-specific vaccine requirements, appointments are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the appointment. It does not apply to UN Volunteers who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their contracts.
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More Information
- Job City Gambia
