Volunteer Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established in 1946, is a United Nations agency that works in over 190 countries and territories. Its mission is to protect the rights of every child and to ensure their survival, development, and well-being. UNICEF is the world's largest provider of vaccines and plays a crucial role in child health, nutrition, education, and protection against violence and exploitation. The organization operates with a non-political and impartial stance, focusing on delivering lifesaving help and hope to children and families, especially in humanitarian emergencies.

Job Overview:
The Volunteer Specialist position at UNICEF Senegal focuses on fostering the participation of young people, particularly adolescent girls, in various programs aimed at improving their lives and communities. The role involves supporting the design and development of Social Behavior Change (SBC) strategies and gender-transformative interventions that empower adolescents and young people to become change-makers. The specialist will work closely with the Social Behavior Change officer to strengthen youth participation in program design, delivery, and monitoring, ensuring that their voices are heard and their needs are addressed. This position also emphasizes the importance of leveraging technology and innovation to engage young people effectively, as well as mainstreaming gender-transformative approaches across all programming. The specialist will be responsible for implementing strategies for community mobilization and U-Reporter engagement, monitoring the progress of initiatives, and generating evidence-based recommendations to inform policy and improve practices.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Volunteer Specialist include:

• Supporting the design and development of SBC strategies and gender-transformative interventions that engage adolescents and young people.
• Strengthening adolescent and youth participation in program design, delivery, and monitoring.
• Developing strategies to engage young people by leveraging technology and innovation.
• Mainstreaming gender-transformative approaches across all programming.
• Designing and implementing a strategy for U-Reporter engagement and community mobilization.
• Monitoring the development and implementation of roadmaps advancing the Dakar Declaration.
• Generating evidence-based recommendations to inform policy and improve practices.
• Providing support to the Gender Task Force and programs promoting gender as a cross-cutting theme.
• Ensuring the implementation of ongoing gender initiatives within the office. 1
• Documenting and sharing lessons learned and best practices with UN Volunteers across the regional project. 1
• Supporting and monitoring initiatives that sustain programs for the empowerment and leadership development of adolescents and young people.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a strong understanding of youth development, gender issues, and social behavior change. Candidates should possess skills in program design and implementation, as well as experience in engaging with young people and communities. The ability to work collaboratively with various stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, and youth organizations, is essential. Strong analytical and communication skills are also required to effectively document and share best practices and lessons learned.

Educational Background:
Candidates should have a degree in social sciences, public health, education, or a related field. A background in gender studies or youth development is highly desirable. Additional training or certifications in program management, social behavior change, or community engagement would be beneficial.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have at least 2-3 years of experience working in youth development, gender issues, or social behavior change programs. Experience in a similar role within an international organization or NGO is preferred. Familiarity with the local context in Senegal and previous work with adolescents and young people will be an advantage.

Languages:
Fluency in French is mandatory, as it is the primary language of communication in Senegal. Proficiency in English is also desirable, as it may be necessary for reporting and communication with international stakeholders. Knowledge of local languages would be an asset.

Additional Notes:
This position is a volunteer role, and candidates should be prepared for a commitment that may vary in duration. The role is full-time and may involve working in challenging environments. Compensation details are not specified, but volunteers may receive certain benefits such as training opportunities and networking with professionals in the field. The position is open to both national and international candidates.