Adolescent and Youth Programme Assistant at United Nations Population Fund

Description of assignment title: Adolescent and Youth Programme Assistant

Assignment country: Nigeria

Expected start date: 02/15/2023

Sustainable Development Goal: 3. Good health and well-being

Volunteer category: International UN Youth Volunteer

DoA reserved for persons with disabilities: No

Host entity: UNFPA

Type: Onsite

Duration: 12 months (with possibility of extension)

Number of assignments: 1

Duty stations: Abuja

Details

Mission and objectives

Established in 1973, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Nigeria is located in the Federal Capital territory of Abuja, with four sub-offices, to respond to population issues throughout the six geo-political zones of the country: The North-West, North- East, North-Central, South-West, South-East and South-South. Currently in its 8th Country Programme (2018-2022), UNFPA Nigeria operations prioritize the humanitarian-peace-development nexus approach, particularly in addressing the subsisting crisis in the Northeast region of the country. In addition to the humanitarian support provided to the three worst affected states of Yobe, Borno and Adamawa in the Northeast, UNFPA Nigeria supports implementation of the country’s development plans in 15 focal states: Abia, Akwa Ibom, Benue, Cross Rivers, Ebonyi, Gombe, Imo, Kaduna, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Sokoto, Kebbi, Bauchi, and Oyo as well as at the Federal level. However, it is pertinent to note that the Reproductive Health Commodities supply programme of UNFPA covers all the 36 States as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Consistent with the three organization-wide objectives to end preventable maternal mortality, end unmet need for family planning and end gender-based violence and harmful practices, UNFPA Nigeria also partners with non-government organizations including faith based, women and youth organizations, other UN agencies and major donors to meet the needs of the most vulnerable groups in the country including women, adolescents, and youths, as well as internally displaced persons (IDPs). The organizational goals call on holistic programming centered on building the capacity of national health systems and social structures in order to administer quality services around sexual reproductive health (SRH), family planning and Gender Based Violence (GBV) prevention, mitigation and response.

Context

At the core of UNFPA work are young people. Nigeria is the continent’s most populous country with an estimated population of 206 Million and an annual population growth rate of 2.6%. 19% of her population is aged between 15-24 while close to 40% falls between 25-35 years. Cumulatively, Nigeria contributes close to 20% of the continent’s youthful population. By 2050, Nigeria’s population is expected to have doubled, reaching more than 400 million and becoming the third largest country in the world. With the projected growth rate, more than half of her population will be under the age of 30 years. It is with this in mind the Adolescent and Youth Programme Assistant will support the strengthening of UNFPA‘s adolescent and youth programmes in both the development and humanitarian settings. UNFPA has been selected as the Chair of the interagency group on youth and in this regard, the Volunteer will support the coordination and implementation of the UN Youth Strategy via the interagency mechanism.

Task description

Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Representative, the Head of Programmes and in collaboration with the Resident Representative and close consultation with the ASRH/HIV and Youth Programme Analyst, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: I. Providing support to the ASRH/Youth team to the overall strategic leadership for the Adolescents and Youth programme in both development and humanitarian settings. II. Support the development of proposals for the mobilising of resources for adolescents and youth sexual and reproductive health activities including identification of AYSRH needs and appropriate potential donors. III. Support the coordination of the Interagency Group on Youth, to implement and monitor the UN Youth Strategy – Youth 2030. IV. Support the monitoring, review and evaluation of adolescent and youth programmes; and in developing response plans to consolidate any strengths and to address any identified gaps. V. Support the ASRH/Youth team to provide support to the Ministries of Health, Youth and Sports and Gender, at the Federal and State levels, and other relevant partners in development, implementation and monitoring of relevant adolescent and youth policy and technical strategies. VI. Support the analysis of the political, social and economic environment that imparts on the adolescents and youth programme and formulating appropriate policy and programmatic adjustments to harness any opportunities and mitigate any risks. VII. Contribute to establishing and maintaining partnerships with adolescents and youth relevant stakeholders, networks, alliances and coalitions to ensure a collective effort towards advancement of the wellbeing of young people. VIII. Participates in relevant national and sub-national Technical Working Groups (TWGs)/Fora to provide technical support and position UNFPA’s adolescent and youth mandate.

Eligibility criteria

Age: 18 – 26

Additional eligibility criteria

This assignment is funded by the Government of Korea and therefore specific criteria apply: – Candidates must be Korean nationals. – Candidates must be between 22 and 29 years old at the time of application. NOTE: If you are older than 26 when applying, the system will display a notification that the ’application does not meet the eligibility criteria’. Please disregard this notification. – Candidates who have already served as UN Youth Volunteer funded by the Government of Korea are not eligible to apply (former UN University Volunteers are eligible). – Candidates may apply to a maximum of three assignments and indicate the order of preference in the ‘Additional remarks’ field when filling in the application form. – Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. The selection will be done by the UN Host Entity at the level of the country of assignment. APPLICATION DEADLINE: 12 September 2022 +++ UN Volunteer entitlement calculator: https://app.unv.org/calculator +++

Nationality

Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.

Donor priorities

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Requirements

Required experience

0 years of experience in (up to three years) or demonstrated interest in:

•  Programme/project management;
•  ASRHR, gender, and/or adolescent and youth development programmes;
•  Partner engagement with government and civil society counterparts, UN agencies, private sector, development partners and Community Based Organizations;

• Working with, engage and motivate adolescents and young people; which includes development challenges and underlying socio-cultural factors.
•  Human rights-based approach and results-based management; Volunteerism and/or experience of another culture, (i.e. studies, volunteer work, internship) would be highly regarded.

Area(s) of expertise

Community development, Development programmes, Health

Driving license

–

Languages

English, Level: Fluent, Required

Required education level

Bachelor degree or equivalent in Health, human rights, and/or international development.

Competencies and values

☒ Commitment and Motivation ☒ Commitment to Continuous Learning ☒ Communication ☒ Creativity ☒ Respect for Diversity ☒ Working in Teams

Other information

Living conditions and remarks

With approximately 184 million inhabitants, Nigeria accounts for 47% of West Africa’s population, and has one of the largest populations of youth in the world. It is a political federation that consists of 36 autonomous states, and a multi-ethnic and culturally diverse society. With an abundance of natural resources, Nigeria—Africa’s biggest oil exporter—also has the largest natural gas reserves on the continent. Nigeria is located in western Africa on the Gulf of Guinea and has a total area of 923,768 km2 making it the world’s 32nd-largest country. It shares borders with Benin (773 km), Niger (1,497 km), Chad (87 km), Cameroon (1,690 km), and has a coastline of at least 853 kilometers. Nigeria lies between latitudes 4 and 14 N, and longitudes 2 and 15 E. The country is viewed as a multinational state, as it is inhabited by over 500 ethnic groups, of which the three largest are the Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba; these ethnic groups speak over 500 different languages and are identified with wide variety of cultures. The official language is English. Nigeria continues to face terrorist attacks in the northeast, a restive insurgency in the Delta region, and the perennial inter-communal violence across the middle belt. At the root of the security challenges are high levels of poverty, joblessness, growing numbers of frustrated youth, and the degradation of natural resources and climate stressors. The assignment will take place in the nation’s capital, Abuja (Hardship classification C; Security Level 3). Terrorism is the main threat in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja SLA. General crime is also prevalent. Abuja is a family duty station, movement there is free with minimal restrictions and staff are allowed to rent their own houses in designated areas. UN staff members are advised to stay only in assessed hotels. Assessed hotels list available with Agency Security Focal Points. The currency used in Nigeria is called Nigeria Naira (the currency code for Naira is NGN, and the currency symbol is ₦). Cash is the main means of transaction with cards also accepted at hotels and shops. You are encouraged to open local bank accounts.

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.

Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements

Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy

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