Consultant for Youth Engagement Strategy

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established in 1946, is a United Nations agency that works in over 190 countries and territories to promote the rights and well-being of every child. Its mission is to save lives, defend rights, and help children fulfill their potential. UNICEF South Africa is dedicated to realizing the rights of all children in the country, focusing on health care, nutrition, education, and protection from violence. The organization employs thousands of staff globally and collaborates with various partners to create impactful programs for children and youth.

Job Overview:
The consultant will play a crucial role in leading and expanding UNICEF South Africa's youth engagement strategy. This position involves ensuring meaningful youth participation in civic action, climate justice, advocacy, and various programmatic areas such as education and health. The consultant will work closely with the SACO Youth Engagement team and the Global Volunteer Initiative team at UNICEF Headquarters. The role includes developing strategic plans, mobilizing partners, and supporting fundraising efforts to sustain youth initiatives. A significant focus will be on implementing the Green Rising initiative, which aims to empower young people in climate resilience and social innovation. The consultant will also facilitate events and workshops to enhance youth engagement and ensure their voices are heard in decision-making processes.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Co-lead the expansion of UNICEF South Africa’s youth engagement strategy, integrating it across various programmatic areas.
• Develop and implement a cohesive youth engagement framework aligned with national policies and UNICEF’s global agenda.
• Establish partnerships with government agencies, civil society, and youth-led networks to drive meaningful participation.
• Advocate for youth-friendly policies and represent UNICEF South Africa in high-level discussions.
• Support the implementation of the Green Rising initiative, ensuring its integration with the Volunteer Programme.
• Design innovative models for volunteer engagement, including digital and community-driven initiatives.
• Lead capacity-building initiatives for youth engagement facilitators and volunteers.
• Develop knowledge-sharing mechanisms and facilitate peer learning sessions.
• Strengthen digital engagement strategies and integrate platforms like U-Report into youth initiatives. 1
• Monitor and evaluate youth engagement programs, providing data-driven insights for improvement. 1
• Identify funding opportunities and lead resource mobilization efforts for youth-led initiatives. 1
• Foster regional collaboration to enhance climate action outcomes and support neighboring countries in scaling similar initiatives. 1
• Organize key youth engagement events to elevate youth voices and advocate for systemic changes.

Required Qualifications:

• A bachelor's degree in public policy, social sciences, or a relevant field.
• A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in youth and volunteer engagement, particularly in Africa.
• Experience in supporting youth engagement in climate action initiatives.
• Significant experience in developing and optimizing volunteer initiatives.
• Ability to tailor engagement approaches to different contexts and audiences.
• Knowledge of relevant digital tools and trends in volunteering and public engagement.
• Experience in facilitating workshops using human-centered design approaches.
• Excellent verbal and interpersonal communication skills, with attention to detail.
• Familiarity with developing country contexts and emergencies is an asset. 1
• Experience working in the UNICEF context is preferred.

Educational Background:
A bachelor's degree from a recognized university in public policy, social sciences, or another relevant field is required for this position. This educational background is essential to understand the complexities of youth engagement and the socio-political landscape in which UNICEF operates.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in youth and volunteer engagement work, particularly in the African context. Candidates should have experience in supporting youth engagement in climate action initiatives and a proven track record of developing successful volunteer initiatives. Familiarity with creating communities of practice in global organizations is also important, as is the ability to adapt engagement strategies to various contexts and audiences.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, with strong written and verbal communication skills. A working knowledge of another UN language is considered an asset, and knowledge of a local language is an added advantage, enhancing communication with diverse youth populations.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy role is designed to be flexible, allowing for remote work arrangements where applicable. UNICEF emphasizes diversity and inclusion within its workforce and encourages candidates from all backgrounds to apply. The organization offers various benefits, including paid parental leave and reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous background checks and must adhere to UNICEF's standards and principles regarding conduct and safeguarding. The position does not entail any application fees, and candidates are advised to be cautious about sharing personal information online.