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Mission and objectives
UNICEF helps build a world where the rights of every child are fully realized. It is our conviction that nurturing and caring for children are the cornerstones of human progress. UNICEF was created in 1946 to work with others to overcome the obstacles that poverty, violence, disease and discrimination place in a child’s path. It has global authority to influence decision-makers, and a wide variety of partners at grassroots level to turn the most innovative ideas into reality. For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children’s survival, protection and development. The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and Governments.
Context
UNICEF helps build a world where the rights of every child are fully realized. It is our conviction that nurturing and caring for children are the cornerstones of human progress. UNICEF Zambia is keen to continue strengthening its engagement with adolescents and young people as resources who offer valuable perspectives and insights that contribute to more effective, relevant and sustainable results for children and adolescents in both development and humanitarian settings. The Communication, Advocacy, Partnership and Engagement (CAPE) team works for children and youth, with children an youth and is keen to strengthen existing collaborations. We work with programmes and different stakeholders to give children and youth agency and to provide platforms and structures to get them involved in decision making. The incumbent will support UNICEF’s adolescent participation and youth engagement initiatives as well as contribute to other communication and advocacy related activities
Task description
Under the direct supervision of the Chief of Communication, Advocacy, Partnership and Engagement, the Communication and Youth Engagement Officer will perform the following tasks: • As part of a team, provide professional, technical and operational assistance to support young people’s participation and civic engagement; • Assist with the development and implementation of youth participation and civic engagement activities; • Under the direct supervision of the Chief of CAPE, assist in working with Government counterparts and implementing partners to create platforms at national and subnational level for youth participation in decision making; • Monitor the implementation of activities in selected districts; • Support the development and implementation of advocacy strategies, with a focus on climate action, that require youth engagement; • Organize and support trainings and learning sessions with young people, including changemakers workshops, briefings for youth advocates, etc; • Support the organization of public advocacy events like World Children’s Day, Youth Day, and other key events that can help raise youth voices; • Coordinate and implement youth participation activities within the Communication, Advocacy, Partnerships and Engagement (CAPE) workplan; • Support advocacy efforts including with donors and partners that require adolescent participation and youth engagement. • Assist to develop materials, briefings, presentations and reports; • Support the content creation strategy by providing inputs for stories, videos, social media content related to youth participation; • Assist with data entry, help collect data on youth engagement activities and contribute to annual reporting; • Perform any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor in the area of communication, advocacy, partnerships and engagement. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to:- 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 reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities using UNV’s Volunteer Reporting Application- 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.
Requirements
Required experience
3 years of experience in professional communications strategy at national and/or international level. • Experience working in the UN or other international development organization is an added advantage. • Technical skills and experience in advocacy, communication and youth engagement. • 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 MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.), design software, video editing and email/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 child rights, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.
Required education level
Master degree or equivalent in Master’s degree in journalism, Communication, Marketing, Public Relations, Development studies, International Relations, English, Social Sciences and/or any other related degree
Competencies and values
• Accountability • Adaptability and Flexibility • Commitment and Motivation • Communication • Creativity • Ethics and Values • Integrity • Judgement and Decision-making • Knowledge Sharing • Leadership • Planning and Organizing • Professionalism • Respect for Diversity • Self-Management • Technological Awareness • Working in Teams
