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UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, development

How can you make a difference? 

The Adolescent Development Specialist reports to the Deputy Representative for guidance and general supervision. The Specialist provides support to country office colleagues and internal and external partners and stakeholders throughout the programming processes by providing technical, administrative and operational support to ensure that adolescent development and participation and child rights established under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, international treaties/framework and UN intergovernmental bodies, are integrated in UNICEF’s advocacy, policies, programmes and humanitarian work.

The Specialist contributes to the achievement of concrete and sustainable results on adolescent development-related programmes/key interventions according to plans, allocation, results-based-management approaches and methodology (RBM) and UNICEF’s Strategic Plans, standards of performance and accountability framework.

1. Support to programmes development and planning

• Update the situation analysis by conducting assessments to establish evidence-based data for UNICEF advocacy and development of policies, frameworks and programmes to promote adolescent development and participation in the country and for monitoring results on related programmes/interventions.
• Assess national/regional/international development priorities to identify opportunities and courses of action to enhance the delivery of services and achieve objectives on adolescent development and participation in the country.
• Participate throughout the process of CO programme formulation, planning and preparation to provide input, advice and operational support on the integration of policies and frameworks that promote adolescent development and participation and to ensure that crosscutting issues such as gender, disabilities, the rights of minority and marginalized groups are considered and integrated within the country programmes and projects.
• Establish specific goals, objectives, strategies and implementation plans for the adolescent development programmes/interventions using results-based planning terminology and methodology (RBM). Prepare relevant documentations for programme review and approval.
• Work closely and collaboratively with colleagues and partners to discuss methodologies and to assess national priorities/competencies to ensure the achievement of concrete and sustainable results.

2. Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results

•  Plan and/or collaborate with internal and external partners to establish monitoring benchmarks, performance indicators and other UNICEF/UN system indicators and measurements to assess and strengthen performance accountability, coherence and delivery of sustainable results on adolescent development programmes and interventions.
• Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual reviews with government and other counterparts to assess progress and to determine required action/interventions to achieve results.
• Prepare/assess monitoring and evaluation reports to identify gaps, strengths/weaknesses in programme and management, identify lessons learned and use knowledge gained for development planning and timely intervention to achieve goals.
• Actively monitor adolescent development programmes/interventions through field visits, surveys and/or exchange of information with partners/stakeholders to assess progress, identify bottlenecks, and take timely decisions to resolve issues and/or refer to relevant officials for timely resolution.
• Monitor and verify the optimum/appropriate use of programme resources (financial, administrative and other assets), confirming compliance with organizational rules, regulations/procedures and donor commitments, standards of accountability, integrity and ensuring timely reporting and liquidation of resources.
• Prepare regular/mandated programme reports for management, donors and partners to keep them informed of programme progress.

3. Technical and operational support to programme implementation 

• Provide technical guidance and operational support to government counterparts, civil society partners, academia, UN system partners and country office partners/donors on policies, practices and methodologies on adolescent development and participation to support programme management, implementation and delivery of results.
• Participate in programme meetings, including programme development and contingency planning, to provide technical and operational information, advice and support.
• Draft relevant policy papers, briefs and other strategic programme materials for management use, information and/or consideration.

4. Networking and partnership building 

• Build and sustain effective close working partnerships with relevant government counterparts, national stakeholders and global partners/allies/donors/academia through active networking, advocacy and effective communication to build capacity, exchange knowledge/expertise and to reinforce cooperation to achieve sustainable and broad results on adolescent development and participation initiatives.
• Prepare communication and information materials for programme advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnerships/alliances and to ensure that adolescent development and participation programmes and initiatives are adequately resourced and supported.
• Participate and/or represent UNICEF in appropriate inter-agency (UNCT) discussions and planning on adolescent development related issues to collaborate with inter-agency partners/colleagues on  planning and preparation of programmes/interventions which are part of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework ensuring organizational position, interests and priorities are fully considered and integrated in the UN sustainable cooperation frameworks including emergency preparedness

5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Apply/introduce innovative approaches and good practices on adolescent development and participation to build the capacity of partners and stakeholders and to support the implementation and delivery of concrete and sustainable programme results.
• Keep abreast, research, benchmark and implement best practices on adolescent development and participation. Assess, institutionalize and share best practices and knowledge learned.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of policies and procedures to ensure optimum efficiency and efficacy of sustainable programmes and interventions.
• Organize and implement capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders to promote sustainable results on related adolescent development programmes.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Minimum requirements:

An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: anthropology, psychology, sociology, education or another relevant technical field.

A minimum of five years of professional experience in social development planning and management in areas related to adolescent development and participation is required.

Experience working in a developing country is considered an asset.

Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered an asset as well as knowledge of UN/UNICEF policies, mandates and programmes.

The ability to work in a team to develop close partnerships with various partners, including governmental institutions, local governments, civil society organizations, etc., is an asset. 

The ability to work independently and represent the UNICEF adolescent development programme to the Government and other audiences, including, if needed, at the international level, is an asset.

Familiarity with UNICEF adolescent development concepts, objectives and methodologies is an asset.

Fluency in English and Azerbaijani language is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is an asset.

Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency. 

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others 

[add the 8^th competency (Nurtures, leads and manages people) for a supervisory role]. 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable  are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.