Youth & Adolescent Development Officer in UN Volunteers

About the organization

UNICEF supports children and families affected by war in the areas of health care, nutrition, education, access to safe water and sanitation, as well as protection.

The UNICEF Ukraine Youth & Adolescent Development program focuses on young people becoming active participants in the reconstruction of Ukraine, strengthening social cohesion and the process of European integration. Among the priorities are civic participation, skills development, employment and entrepreneurship, psychosocial well-being and support for youth policy reforms.

About the role

The Youth and Adolescent Development Specialist will support the participation of adolescents and young people in UNICEF activities through structured platforms (in particular the Young People’s Advisory Board - YPAB), the development and implementation of youth employment and entrepreneurship initiatives, as well as strengthening youth policy at the national and local levels.

The position also involves systematic work with data, reporting and knowledge management to provide an evidence base for advocacy and program decisions.

Main Responsibilities

1. Youth participation and coordination of the Young People’s Advisory Board (YPAB)

• Coordinate the work of the Young People’s Advisory Board (YPAB) as an inclusive youth advisory platform: communication, planning, support of advocacy initiatives.

• Organize and facilitate regular YPAB meetings (approximately once every two weeks): agenda formation, minutes, follow-up recommendations, support of youth initiatives and working groups.

• Ensure a structured dialogue between YPAB, UNICEF program sections, government partners, civil society and UN partners to strengthen coordination and political dialogue within the framework of the ADAP direction.

• Guarantee the safe and meaningful participation of vulnerable youth groups (IDPs, youth with disabilities, girls, representatives of marginalized communities), applying the principles of equality, safeguarding and accountability.

• Support the development and implementation of trainings, leadership programs, peer-to-peer training and mentoring for youth in the areas of advocacy, communications, civic participation and project management.

• Support the involvement of youth in advocacy campaigns and consultations at the national and local levels, including logistics, compliance with safeguarding protocols, documenting the contribution of youth and providing feedback loops.

• Develop and maintain simple mechanisms for monitoring youth participation, recording results and lessons, contributing to regular reporting.

2. Information management, knowledge sharing and technical support

• Support systematic collection, analysis and visualization of data on youth participation, skills development and employment.

• Prepare contributions to SitReps, donor reports, internal updates, dashboards and analytical materials on work with youth.

• Maintain and update internal knowledge-sharing platforms(in particular SharePoint), providing access to methodological materials, tools, case studies and key documents.

• Assist UNICEF sections in quality integration of youth participation, skills development and employment components into program planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting.

• Participate in field monitoring visits, program reviews and training sessions, documenting results, lessons and recommendations.

• Collaborate with colleagues from other sectors (Education, Child Protection, Social Policy, Health, WASH, Gender) and external partners to identify challenges and find adaptive solutions.

3. Capacity building and safeguarding

• Ensure the application of safeguarding protocols in all activities involving youth, with special attention to IDPs, youth with disabilities and girls.

• Support the development and implementation of training modules for UNICEF staff, partners and youth leaders on the safe participation of adolescents and youth, civic activism and advocacy.

Requirements for the candidate

Education and experience:

• Higher education (bachelor or higher) in the field of social sciences, international development, youth studies, education or related areas.

• At least 3 years of professional experience in the field of work with youth and teenagers, civic participation, youth policy, development programs or related areas.

• Experience in organizing or supporting youth advisory councils, consultations, youth participation processes.

• Desirable experience in programs for the development of skills, employment and entrepreneurship of youth (in particular, green, digital, technical skills).

• Knowledge and experience in youth policy / social policy, desirable — familiarity with European approaches (for example, EU Youth Guarantee).

Languages:

• Fluency in Ukrainian and English languages (oral and written).

Competences and skills:

• Facilitation, coordination and building partnerships with government bodies, public organizations, business and youth initiatives.

• Experience in implementing inclusive and safe participation practices (IDPs, youth with disabilities, adolescent girls, marginalized groups).

• Experience in the project cycle: implementation of programs, monitoring, data collection, analysis, visualization, reporting and documentation of lessons learned.

• Ability to prepare analytical notes, short reports and advocacy materials for internal and external stakeholders (including donors and policy makers).

• Proficient in MS Office; experience with online collaboration platforms and, preferably, data visualization tools.

• Self-organization, the ability to work independently, lead several areas in parallel and meet deadlines.

• Ability to work inclusively and as a team in a multi-stakeholder environment.

Conditions

• Type of contract: National UN Volunteer Specialist (full-time).

• Duration: 12 months with the possibility of extension (if there is funding, operational need and a positive evaluation of the work).

• Place of work: Kyiv, UNICEF office (UN Premises).

Financial and social guarantees:

• Monthly Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) — 1587 USD (equivalent in UAH) to cover living expenses, utilities and basic expenses (taking into account Well-Being Differentials for duty station “E”).

• One-time payment entry lump sum — 400 USD at the start contract.

• Medical insurance for UNV and dependent family members, life insurance.

• Annual leave, sick leave and study leave - according to UN Volunteers policies.