UN Volunteer - Health and Early Childhood Development

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established by the United Nations General Assembly, is dedicated to advocating for children's rights and ensuring their basic needs are met. Since its inception in 1950, UNICEF has been actively involved in Brazil, contributing to significant advancements in childhood and adolescent welfare. The organization has played a crucial role in various initiatives, including immunization campaigns, the promotion of breastfeeding, and the establishment of legal frameworks to protect children's rights. UNICEF's ongoing mission is to focus on the most vulnerable populations, particularly those affected by extreme violence, and to work towards reducing inequalities in access to essential services for children across Brazil.

Job Overview:
The UN Volunteer will play a vital role in supporting UNICEF's Health and Early Childhood Development (ECD) programs in Rio de Janeiro. This position involves working closely with national teams to strengthen and implement initiatives that address the intersection of health, ECD, and efforts to end violence against children (EVAC). The volunteer will be responsible for monitoring and supporting the implementation of the Early Childhood Friendly Unit (UAPI) and Adolescent Friendly Unit (UAA) initiatives, ensuring they align with UNICEF's priorities and the needs of the municipality. The role requires participation in strategic meetings, providing technical guidance, and promoting programmatic linkages to enhance the effectiveness of interventions aimed at vulnerable children and adolescents.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The UN Volunteer will undertake a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including: monitoring the implementation of UAPI and UAA initiatives, participating in strategic meetings with government counterparts, promoting programmatic linkages between various initiatives, leading Scientific Committee meetings, coordinating the certification process for UAPI and UAA, supporting advocacy strategies for vulnerable children, designing and monitoring Health and ECD activities, providing technical support for the Municipal Antiracist Early Childhood Plan, collaborating with the Adolescent Development team, and contributing to donor proposals and reports. The volunteer will also engage in internal team meetings and represent UNICEF at external events as required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong understanding of child rights and development, particularly in the context of health and early childhood education. They should demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders, including government agencies and civil society organizations. Technical expertise in health and nutrition, early childhood development, and violence prevention is essential. Strong analytical and communication skills are required to effectively document lessons learned and advocate for vulnerable populations.

Educational Background:
A degree in public health, social sciences, education, or a related field is required. Advanced degrees or specialized training in early childhood development, child protection, or public health will be considered an asset. Candidates should have a solid understanding of the Brazilian context regarding child rights and social policies.

Experience:
The position requires prior experience in program implementation, monitoring, and evaluation, particularly in the fields of health, education, or child protection. Experience working with government and civil society partners in Brazil or similar contexts is highly desirable. Familiarity with UNICEF's mission and values, as well as experience in advocacy and capacity-building initiatives, will be beneficial.

Languages:
Fluency in Portuguese is mandatory, as it is the primary language of communication in Brazil. Proficiency in English is also required, as it is essential for documentation and communication with international stakeholders. Knowledge of Spanish or other languages may be considered an advantage, particularly in contexts involving regional collaboration.

Additional Notes:
This is a national UN Volunteer assignment, and the volunteer will be responsible for arranging their own housing and living essentials. Specific entitlements, including insurance coverage and a Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA), will be provided. The position is full-time, and the volunteer is expected to comply with all United Nations security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security procedures and recommendations during their assignment. The role may involve working in challenging environments, including areas affected by violence or social unrest.