Online Volunteer

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. The organization operates globally, focusing on the protection and development of children, particularly in developing countries. UNICEF mobilizes resources and political will to support countries in forming appropriate policies and delivering essential services for children and their families. The organization prioritizes the most disadvantaged children, including victims of war, disasters, and extreme poverty, and responds to emergencies to protect children's rights. UNICEF's mission is guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and it aims to promote gender equality and the full participation of women and girls in development processes. Through its country programs, UNICEF works towards achieving sustainable human development goals and the vision of peace and social progress as outlined in the UN Charter.

Job Overview:
The Online Volunteer position is part of UNICEF Sri Lanka's initiative to conduct an evidence synthesis, which is crucial for the upcoming Country Programme for 2028-203

• This role involves reflecting on existing and emerging evidence, data, analyses, and program learning to identify key deprivations, equity gaps, risks, and bottlenecks affecting children in Sri Lanka. The findings from this synthesis will inform strategic prioritization, theory of change development, and results formulation for the country program. The evidence synthesis aims to present a comprehensive overview of child rights violations and development challenges, identify vulnerable rights holders, and highlight the risks and bottlenecks that hinder the fulfillment of children's rights. The Online Volunteer will play a vital role in consolidating and drafting this evidence synthesis document, ensuring it is clear, accessible, and visually engaging, thereby providing a solid foundation for program planning and prioritization.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Online Volunteer will be responsible for supporting UNICEF's program teams in reviewing and validating evidence from approximately 15-25 key reports, assessments, and other documentation. Key responsibilities include organizing, consolidating, and synthesizing evidence with clear headings, summary tables, and visuals. The volunteer will draft a coherent narrative that covers the country context, trends affecting children, bottlenecks, data gaps, and emerging issues. Additionally, the volunteer will work closely with program teams to ensure consistency and accuracy across thematic areas, incorporate feedback, and refine the evidence synthesis document, which is expected to be 5-10 pages long. Participation in virtual meetings with UNICEF program teams may also be required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates should possess strong research and analytical skills, along with excellent writing abilities. The role requires a keen attention to detail and the capacity to synthesize complex information into clear and concise narratives. Familiarity with child rights issues and development challenges in Sri Lanka will be advantageous. The ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams and stakeholders is essential, as is the capacity to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines effectively.

Educational Background:
A background in social sciences, international development, public policy, or a related field is preferred. Candidates should have a strong understanding of research methodologies and data analysis techniques, as well as experience in drafting reports or synthesis documents.

Experience:
While specific years of experience are not mandated, prior experience in research, data analysis, or working with international organizations, particularly in the context of child rights or development, is highly desirable. Experience in synthesizing evidence and drafting reports will be beneficial for this role.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, as the synthesis document will be drafted in English. Knowledge of Sinhala or Tamil would be considered an asset, as it may facilitate better understanding of local contexts and documentation.

Additional Notes:
The position is remote, allowing for flexibility in work hours. The duration of the assignment is not specified, but it is expected to align with the timeline of the evidence synthesis process. This role is suitable for individuals looking to gain experience in international development and contribute to meaningful work that impacts children's rights and welfare.