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.
For every child,
UNICEF Mexico currently has adolescent development as of its key components and one of the five programme outcomes. In 2018, UNICEF Mexico commissioned the development of a comprehensive strategy on adolescents which maps out on-going efforts and shows a road map of priorities for the programme. Adolescent programming is cross-cutting and is implemented by different sectors and areas of the office. Currently, there are considerable opportunities in the areas of child protection (on violence prevention), education (participation, education models for adolescent at risks) and in health and nutrition (addressing obesity and overweight).
The Youth and Adolescent Specialist reports to the Deputy Representative 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 ensure that 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.
The Specialist contributes to achievement of concrete and sustainable results on 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.
How can you make a difference?
1. Support to 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 youth and adolescent development, particularly in the context of Generation Unlimited. Assess national/regional/international development priorities to identify opportunities and courses of action to enhance the delivery of services and achieve objectives on 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 development and participation Establish specific goals, objectives, strategies and implementation plans for the adolescent development programmes/projects using results-based planning terminology and methodology (RBM). Prepare relevant documentations for programme review and approval.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 youth and adolescent 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 youth and adolescent 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 youth and adolescent development 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 material 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 adolescent development and participation initiatives. Assist in the preparation of communication and information material for programme advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnerships/alliances and to ensure that adolescent development and participation programmes and initiatives are adequately resourced and supported. Provide support to the Representative and the Country Office in inter-agency (UNCT) discussions and planning on youth and adolescent development related issues, particularly in light of the Generation Unlimited inter-agency initiative.5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building
Supervise an Innovation National Officer (NO-1) and provide overall supervision of mainstreaming innovation in the country programme. Apply/introduce innovative approaches and good practices on youth and adolescent development 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 youth and adolescent development. 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.To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: anthropology, psychology, sociology, education or another relevant technical field. A minimum of 5 yearsof relevant professional experience in social development planning and management in youth and adolescent development related areas is required. Experience working in an upper middle-income country is an asset. Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset. Experience working with UN interagency initiatives an advantage. Fluency in Spanish and English is requiredFor every Child, you demonstrate...
UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.
The functional competencies required for this post are...Leading and supervising, Formulating strategies and concepts, Analyzing, Relating and networking, Deciding and Initiating action, Applying technical expertise.
View our competency framework at
http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.
UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
Remarks:
Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.This vacancy is archived.