National UN Volunteer Specialist – Youth Engagement and Communications

National UN Volunteer Specialist – Youth Engagement and Communications

Assignment country: Nepal
Expected start date: 01/04/2024
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: Kathmandu

Details
Mission and objectives

UNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere.

In all of its work, UNICEF takes a life-cycle based approach, recognizing the particular importance of early childhood development and adolescence. UNICEF programmes focus on the most disadvantaged children, including those living in fragile contexts, those with disabilities, those who are affected by rapid urbanization and those affected by environmental degradation.

UNICEF was created with a distinct purpose in mind: to work with others to overcome the obstacles that poverty, violence, disease and discrimination place in a child’s path. We advocate for measures to give children the best start in life, because proper care at the youngest age forms the strongest foundation for a person’s future.

We promote girls’ education – ensuring that they complete primary education as a minimum – because it benefits all children, both girls and boys. Girls who are educated grow up to become better thinkers, better citizens, and better parents to their own children. We act so that all children are immunized against common childhood diseases, and are well nourished: no child should suffer or die from a preventable illness. We work to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS among young people because it is right to keep them from harm and enable them to protect others. We help children and families affected by HIV/AIDS to live their lives with dignity.

We are UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund.

Context

Recognizing that youth represent a valuable force in shaping a sustainable future, UNICEF actively works to empower young people to advocate for their own rights and participate in decision-making processes that affect their lives. UNICEF’s engagement with young people currently spans a spectrum of activities, from capacity building across different areas, facilitating youth-led campaigns and initiatives, to providing platforms for advocacy and expression. This also extends to working with a cohort of over 1,500 UNICEF volunteers, designated Youth Advocates and U-Reporters.

Under UNICEF’s mandate to improve the well-being of all children everywhere, communication plays a pivotal role, serving as a powerful tool to raise awareness and mobilize support for our mission. UNICEF strategically employs various channels – such as social media and traditional media – to amplify its impact and reach a wide range of audiences. In this regard, creation of high-quality, compelling multimedia content, including human-interest stories, photos, videos and graphics, is crucial in enabling us to highlight the situation of children and young people, capture UNICEF’s work to improve their lives, and catalyze positive action and change.

Task description

Under the direct supervision of Communication Specialist, the National UNV Specialist Choose an item. will:

Youth engagement:

• Lead the global volunteer initiative (GVI) in Nepal, including management of volunteer database, and coordination of engagement/co-creation opportunities
• Lead the Youth Advocates programme for Nepal, including support for selection, appointment, strategic engagement/co-creation opportunities
• Support efforts to utilize the U-Report platform, including through dissemination of surveys, information, and analysis of insights
• Collaborate with UNICEF teams, youth organizations and partners to strengthen relationships and expand the reach and impact of youth-focused initiatives
• Support the development of a comprehensive Youth Engagement Strategy that aligns with UNICEF’s objectives and priorities

Content creation:

• Develop compelling human-interest stories related to UNICEF’s work, based on field research, events, interviews
• Support the development of multimedia materials, including photos, videos, graphics, and other engaging content to be used as part of communication packages
• Support the development of content for and management of UNICEF Nepal’s digital channels

Additional tasks:

• Support documentation, monitoring and analysis of youth engagement and communications initiatives
• Support the planning and implementation of campaigns, events and outreach activities, with a focus on enhancing youth participation and advocacy
• Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

• 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 self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
• 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.
  – Creation of volunteer database, regular engagement and co-creation opportunities
  –  Identification and appointment of Youth Advocates, regular engagement and co-creation opportunities
  – Dissemination of surveys through U-Report and increase in number of U-Reporter
  – Organization of events and campaigns in partnership with youth organization
  – Finalization of UNICEF Nepal’s Youth Engagement Strategy
  – Development of regular youth-focused human interest stories
  – Regular content featuring youth voices featured in communication packages and as part of digital channels
  – Documentation capturing reach and impact of youth engagement and communication efforts
  –  Support for the Communications, Advocacy and Partnerships team in organizing campaign, events and outreach activities

Eligibility criteria
Age: 27 – 80
Nationality: Candidate must be a national or legal resident of the country of assignment.

Requirements
Required experience

• 3 years of experience in arts, communications, media studies, public relations, development studies, social work, science or a related field.
• Strong understanding of global and national youth issues and trends.
• Previous experience in working within the United Nations system is an asset.
• Skills in photography and videography are an asset.

Area(s) of expertise

Communication, Social work, Development programmes

Driving license: –

Languages

English, Level: Fair, Required
Nepalese, Level: Fluent, Required

Required education level

Bachelor degree or equivalent in arts, communications, media studies, public relations, development studies, social work, science or a related field.

Competencies and values

Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNICEF; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNICEF’s procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented;

Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNICEF in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority;

Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues;

Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment.

Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities;

Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;

Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary;

Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNICEF’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.
Creativity and innovation in content creation & curation.

Other information

Living conditions and remarks

The UNV will be based in Kathmandu. As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. National UN Volunteers are part of the malicious insurance plan.

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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