Adolescent Development Specialist, P3, TA, Kinshasa, DR of Congo (DRC), Position# 00128576

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does in programs, advocacy, and 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 and addressing inequity not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also 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.

 Adolescent Development Specialist Level 3.pdf

For every child, the right to youth

The Adolescent and Youth Development and Empowerment Specialist reports to the Chief of the SBC Section Level 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 into UNICEF’s advocacy, policies, programs and humanitarian work.  

The Specialist contributes to the achievement of concrete and sustainable results on adolescent development-related programs/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?

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:  

1. Support to program development and planning
2. Programme management, monitoring, and delivery of results  
3. Technical and operational support to program implementation 
4. Networking and partnership building 
5. Innovation, knowledge management, and capacity building  
6. Coordination of the UN interagency adolescents and youth working group 

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Education: 

• 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 (Bachelor’s) in the relevant fields, with an additional two (2) years of professional experience may be accepted instead of a master’s degree.  

Experience: 

• A minimum of five years of professional experience in social development planning, and management in adolescent development-related areas or youth empowerment is required. 
• A minimum of two years of experience working in a developing country is considered an asset. 
• Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.

Language Requirements: 

• Fluency in French and English is required. Knowledge of a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships (2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (3) Drive to achieve results for impact (4) Innovates and embraces change (5) Manages ambiguity and (6) Thinks and acts (7) Works collaboratively with others.

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.
We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.
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 is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. 

Remarks:

This position has been assessed as an elevated risk role for Child Safeguarding purposes as it is:a role with direct contact with children, works directly with children, is a safeguarding response role. Additional vetting and assessment for elevated risk roles in child safeguarding (potentially including additional criminal background checks) applies.

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable Female candidates are encouraged to apply.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be cancelled.

All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.