Coordination Assistant

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established in 1946, is a United Nations agency responsible for providing humanitarian and developmental aid to children worldwide. Its mission is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does, including programs, advocacy, and operations. UNICEF operates in over 150 countries and has a workforce of more than 13,000 employees. The organization emphasizes equity, focusing on the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translating its commitment to children's rights into action. UNICEF's work is guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which outlines the universal mandate to support the equitable development of nations and ensure that all children have the opportunity to survive, develop, and reach their full potential without discrimination.

Job Overview:
The Coordination Assistant position under the Adi Yuva Fellowship initiative is strategically aligned with Youth2030: The UN Youth Strategy (Phase 2: 2025–2030). This initiative aims to empower tribal and marginalized youth by providing them with mentorship, training, and placement in impactful roles across various sectors. The role is designed to complement the Government of India's PMJANMAN initiative, which focuses on the development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). The Coordination Assistant will support the Social and Behaviour Change section in engaging with tribal communities in Odisha, particularly focusing on health, nutrition, education, and child protection issues. The position requires a proactive approach to mapping tribal populations, analyzing existing strategies, and developing new programs to address the unique challenges faced by these communities.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Mapping and Analysis: Conduct mapping of tribal populations, focusing on PVTGs across Odisha. Analyze health, nutrition, WASH, education, and child protection issues affecting tribal women, children, and adolescents. Document mental health issues affecting tribal youth and identify linkages between social norms and stigma. Map psycho-social support services available in the community.
• Programme Support and Strategy Development: Assist in the preparation of Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) strategies for engaging with tribal communities. Integrate mental health and psychosocial wellbeing into SBC strategies, focusing on stigma reduction and care-seeking. Coordinate stakeholder consultations with tribal institutions.
• Capacity Development: Develop training modules for frontline workers, peer educators, and traditional healers on maternal and child health, nutrition, and mental health literacy.
• Documentation and Knowledge Management: Document case studies and knowledge products focusing on PVTGs and disseminate them for advocacy. Prepare learning notes on community actions to reduce mental health stigma and improve service uptake.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess strong analytical skills, excellent communication abilities, and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by tribal communities. They should demonstrate a commitment to social justice and equity, particularly in relation to marginalized groups. Experience in community engagement and capacity building is essential, along with the ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders. Familiarity with health, nutrition, and education sectors is highly desirable.

Educational Background:
A bachelor's degree in social sciences, public health, education, or a related field is required. Advanced degrees or specialized training in community development, social work, or public health will be considered an asset. Candidates should have a strong academic background that demonstrates their ability to engage with complex social issues.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least 2-3 years of relevant experience in community development, social work, or public health. Experience working with tribal communities or in rural settings is highly preferred. Familiarity with UN systems and processes, as well as experience in program management or implementation, will be advantageous.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, while proficiency in local languages spoken in Odisha, such as Odia, is highly desirable. Knowledge of additional languages spoken by tribal communities will be considered an asset.

Additional Notes:
This position is a national UN Volunteer assignment, open exclusively to candidates from Scheduled Tribe communities. The selected candidate will be responsible for arranging their own housing and living essentials. The role is based in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, with frequent travel to remote tribal districts. The monthly voluntary living allowance is INR 56,126.74, with additional benefits including an entry lump sum, relocation costs, exit allowance, comprehensive insurance coverage, and annual leave. Candidates must upload a Scheduled Tribe certificate issued by the Government at the time of application.