Adolescent Development Specialist

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Description

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• Support the preparation/design and conduct/update of situation analysis and assessments to establish evidence-based data for UNICEF advocacy and development of policies, framework and programs to promote adolescent development and participation in the country and for monitoring results on related programs/projects.
• 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 program formulation, planning and preparation to provide input, advice and operational support on the integration of policies and framework 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 programs and projects.
• Establish specific goals, objectives and strategies and implementation plans for the adolescent development programs/projects using results-based planning terminology and methodology (RBM). Prepare relevant documentations for program review and approval.
• Work closely and collaboratively with internal and external colleagues and partners to discuss methodologies and to assess national priorities/competencies to ensure the achievement of concrete and sustainable results.

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

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

• 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 program advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnership/alliances and to ensure that adolescent development and participation programs 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 UNDAF planning and preparation of programs/projects ensuring organizational position, interests and priorities are fully considered and integrated in the UNDAF process in development planning and agenda setting including emergency preparedness.

• 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 program 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 programs and projects.
• Organize and implement capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders to promote sustainable results on related programs/projects.

• An advanced university degree (Master’ s or higher) in anthropology, psychology, sociology, education or other social science field is required.
• A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in  social development planning and management in adolescent development related areas at the international level is required.
• Relevant experience in program/project development and management in related areas in a UN system agency or organization is an asset.
• Experience working with refugees or in a humanitarian/emergency setting is a strong asset.
• Fluency in English (written and verbal) is required. Knowledge of another official UN language, particularly Arabic is an asset.  Knowledge of the local language – Turkish is an asset

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