UNICEF MYANMAR

TERMS OF REFERENCE LEVEL P-3 (TA)

Youth Engagement Specialist

Proposed time frame: 6 monthsTA (starting January 2014)

Section in Charge: Child Protection

Purpose of Assignment

To develop a comprehensive proposal for the development of a Youth Participation Platform and associated feeder mechanisms in Myanmar. The successful candidate will conduct extensive research and consultation with existing Myanmar youth participation mechanisms, youth groups and youth activities. The development of a set of recommendations on how best to engage the youth community in Myanmar will then be used to inform a proposal that will be drafted on how best to position the platform in the Myanmar context. Extensive research skills, youth engagement, participation and proposal development experience are required.

Scope of the Youth Participation and Feeder Mechanisms:

UNICEF proposes to build on existing youth activities by developing a Youth Council in Myanmar as an enabling environment for child, adolescent and youth participation and engagement. This peak body will act as a platform to actively demonstrate best practice in participation from the initial stages, with UNICEF’s support. The Council will be supported by an advisory body in the form of an Innovation Lab. Both the Youth Council and the Innovation Lab’s activities will be informed by a suite of feeder mechanisms for children, adolescents and youth which will determine and inform the nature, scope and activities of both entities. These mechanisms will be identified and strengthened through a comprehensive analysis of youth populations across Myanmar and a review of existing youth groups and mechanisms in Myanmar. The overall goals include:

  • Ensure children, adolescents and youth are able to express their ideas through a platform leading to greater advocacy on issues pertinent to youth, sharing of skills, ideas and experiences among young people, brainstorming on a variety of issues to form a unified voice.
  • Ensure children, adolescents and youth have the capacity and tools to speak out about protection issues that matter to them.
  • Facilitate an enabling environment for participation through capacity building on international norms and standards for institutional participation.
  • Promote a culture of participation through media and communications.
  • Enhance active participation for children, adolescents and youth in existing mechanisms, through the incorporation of participation in the development of the new Myanmar Youth Policy.
  • Increase child, adolescent and youth skills and capacities – including with regard to self-esteem, cognitive abilities, peer support, communication, interpersonal and social skills, respect for others and critical thinking – through the practice of meaningful and effective participation.
  • Better coordinate and streamline youth activities, programmes and policy including monitoring and evaluation by young people, for young people.
  • Increase young people’s access to ICT, sports, peace building activities and other recent and emerging frameworks.
  • Enhance the availability of information on young people and youth participation in Myanmar.

KEY END-RESULTS

Over a six month period, the successful candidate will work to achieve the following results:

  1. Review and report on institutional, legislative, organisational and contextual factors affecting youth in Myanmar including existing youth groups and youth mechanisms to inform the development of a comprehensive proposal for the development of a youth participation platform.
  2. Key Affected Population baseline study to assess knowledge attitudes and perceptions of rights holders and duty bearers towards children, adolescent and youth participation in Myanmar.
  3. Best Practice Review on the best practices and standards for child, adolescent and youth participation including a key set of recommendations/a guide for child, adolescent and youth participation in the Myanmar context.
  4. Comprehensive proposal developed for the Youth Participation Platform and associated Feeder Mechanisms in line with findings from Review, KAP study and Best Practice Guide.
  5. Consult existing youth related mechanisms, organisations and groups in Myanmar to engage youth community in accordance with Best Practice Review and scope for the implementation of the child/youth platform including feeder mechanisms.

ACCOUNTABILITIES and DUTIES & TASKS

Within the delegated authority and under the given organizational set-up, the incumbent may be assigned the primarily, shared, or contributory accountabilities for all or part of the following areas of major duties and key end-results.

  1. Programme Planning, Development and Management.

Enhance effective inter-sectoral collaborative internal and external partnerships in the planning, development and management of a youth participation platform by leading, guiding, coordinating and supporting UNICEF’s work within broader youth activities and platforms emerging in Myanmar. Ensure that all of UNICEF’s efforts are appropriately designed and monitored and analyzed with the aim of ensuring sustainable and meaningful child/youth/adolescent participation in line with International Best Practices.

  1. Promotion of UNICEF’s Global Goals

Promote the organization goals of UNICEF including child, adolescent and youth participation, best practice in participation, peace building and equity. Further fostering of internal and external relationships to achieve maximum linkage with existing youth mechanisms and platforms and other programmatic areas of work relevant to youth engagement.

3. Knowledge Management.

Promote knowledge management in the proposal through the exchange of knowledge, information, situation analysis, experience or lessons learned; promote knowledge sharing and technical input or recommendations on major programme directions and on introduction of new initiatives in the country; using the know-how of academic and knowledge institutions to collect, analyze and use relevant data to further understanding of social norms and harmful practices to children, particularly girls.

4. Rights-Based and Results-Based Approach.

Promote the quality of rights-based Child Protection programmes through participation in the formulation of programme goals, strategies and approaches, collaborating with key partners to address the multiple aspects of the protective environment as it relates to child, adolescent and youth participation; and to bring coherence, synergy and added value to sectoral or inter-sectoral management processes using a results-based management approach to planning and design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.

5. Sectoral Work Plan Development, Implementation, and Monitoring.

Takes primary responsibility for the development of the proposal and technical decisions. Responsible for proposal development that plans for the management, implementation and monitoring of a UNICEF supported youth participation platform, in compliance with the defined programme strategies and approaches, with adequate consultation with relevant stakeholders, and with strategic guidance and support from the chief of section.

6. Programme Delivery, Evaluation and Reporting.

Ensures a rigorous, transparent and appropriately inclusive approach to evaluation is embedded in the proposal that is joined up in partnership with government and other key actors to ensure evaluation results from the programme are linked into larger programming and policy frameworks.

7. UNICEF and Government Accountability.

Coordinates with Operations and Supply staff on supply and non-supply assistance activities ensuring proper and timely UNICEF reporting and accountability procedures. Certifies disbursements of funds, monitors and submits financial status reports to management in compliance with the regulations and guidelines.

Collaborate with the Operations and Supply Sections and Government authorities to establish and maintain sound internal controls supportive of Child Protection programme planning and implementation, to coordinate financial and supply management requirements as well as to ensure accountability.

8. Communication, Collaboration, Networking and Partnership.

Develop partnerships and networks with and between government and non-governmental actors to ensure exchange of information, experience, identify new strategies and courses of action to accelerate/improve the participation of children in all matters affecting them. Conduct field visits to monitor and collect information on youth populations in Myanmar with a focus on gender and ethnic equality. Enhance active participation for children, adolescents and youth in existing mechanisms and emerging mechanisms.Overall coordination with Regional Advisers and HQ Officers involved in youth and adolescent work within UNICEF. Collaborate with other Programme/Project Officers to ensure the integration of the sectoral programme with other sectors.

1.Contract Supervisor and frequency of performance reviews:

Aaron Greenberg, Chief, Child Protection Section, UNICEF Myanmar

2.Estimated duration:

6 month Temporary Assignment from 6 January 2014 to 6July.

3.Payment schedule

4.Amount budgeted for this Activity and Chargeable Budget Code:

JOB GRADE FACTORS [1]

Level 3

  • Lead effective and efficient planning and design of a youth platform in Myanmar within a major programme that focus on achievement of UNICEF's programmatic priorities.
  • As a technical expert, contribute timely and effective technical advice, guidance and input to youth related issues within the Child Protection section and across other sectors as needed.
  • Make viable recommendations on programme implementation, alternative approaches, and optimal utilization of resources that contribute effectively to the sustainable advancement of the rights of children.
  • Contribute to the development and introduction of new approaches using collaborative partnerships.
  • Certify allocation and disbursement of funds; determine supply and cash needs to ensure programme delivery meets targeted goals and objectives.

QUALIFICATION and COMPETENCIES

([ ] indicates the level of proficiency required for the job.)

  1. Education

Advanced university degree, preferably in the social sciences.

  1. Work Experience

Five years of professional work experience at national and international levels in youth development including international work experience. Background/familiarity withchild protection is considered a strong asset.

  1. Language Proficiency

Fluency in English and a second UN language (IP)

  1. Competency Profile (For details on competencies please refer to the UNICEF Professional Competency Profiles.)
  1. Core Values (Required)
  2. Commitment
  3. Diversity and Inclusion
  4. Integrity
  5. Core Competencies (Required)
  6. Communication [ III ]
  7. Working with People [ III ]
  8. Drive for Results [ III ]
  9. Functional Competencies (Required)
  • Formulating Strategies and Concepts [ III ]
  • Analyzing [ III]
  • Relating and Networking [ III ]
  • Deciding and Initiating Action [ III ]
  • Applying Technical Expertise [ III ]
  1. Technical Knowledge[2]

a)Specific Technical Knowledge Required

•Youth Participation and Engagement qualifications and experience

•At least 5 years of working experience including research and engagement with young people, including a sound knowledge of best practice for child, adolescent and youth participation;

•Possess strong communication and analytical skills and proven ability to coordinate and work effectively with all stakeholders;

•Demonstrated understanding of child protection.

b)Common Technical Knowledge Required (for the job group) [ ]

•Methodology of programme/project management

•Programmatic goals, policies and strategies for sectoral programmes

•Knowledge of global human rights issues, specifically relating to children and women.

•In depth understanding of youth development and participation in different international contexts.

c)Technical Knowledge to be Acquired/Enhanced (for the Job) [ ]

•Government development plans and policies

•Knowledge of local conditions and country legislation relevant to UNICEF programmes

•UNICEF policies and strategy in child protection and youth.

•UNICEF financial, supply and administrative rules and regulations.

•Rights-based and Results-based programming in UNICEF.

•UNICEF programme policy, procedures and guidelines in the Manual.

•Mid-Term Strategic Plan

•UN guideline on sexual exploitation and abuse by UN staff and partners.

•Gender equality and Diversity awareness.

•UN policies and strategy to address international humanitarian issues and the responses.

•UN common approaches to programmatic issues and UNICEF positions

•UN security operations and guidelines.

•UN guideline on sexual exploitation and abuse by UN staff and partners.

•UNICEF strategic framework for partnerships and collaborative relationships.

•UNICEF policies and strategies promoting and supporting gender equality and diversity.

1

[1]The differences in the grades of jobs and positions reflect various differences, among others, in the nature and scope of work, individual contribution, professional expertise required, organizational context, risks, coordination and networking, engagement, partners, beneficiaries, clients/stakeholders relations, impact of decisions, actions and consequences, and leadership roles.

[2] Reference to UNICEF and/or UN in terms of technical knowledge requirements (a and b above) are applicable only to those who are or have been the staff members of UNICEF or the UN common system.