Leadership and Advocacy Specialist

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Reporting to the Project Manager, the Leadership and Advocacy Specialist will lead on providing backstopping and hands-on technical supervision and support for the Project’s Outputs, please see outline below;

• Output 1: Strengthen the knowledge of 65 young people through training.
• Output 2: Enhancement of YPAG members capacity through community development initiatives.
• Output 3: Strengthen YUCA capacity through design and implementation of green initiatives led by youths.
• Output 4: Production of two research papers.

The four Outputs will be implemented in parallel to enable timely completion. The project aims to support the empowerment and capacity building of Young People Advisory Group (YPAG)^[1] and Youth United for Climate Action (YUCA)^[2] and green approach through training and civic and digital initiatives.

Responsibilities will include:

• Develop a training curriculum and materials relating the topics of Leadership, Advocacy and Citizenship (Main deliverable of Output 1).
• Supervise trainers and participants over the course of the training, encouraging active participation from trainees and maintaining the quality of the training content delivery (Output 1).
• Support the project team with the delivery of Output 2 Enhancement of YPAG members capacity through community development initiatives. This will include the following; working closely with other specialists, providing technical inputs in designing and commencing advocacy initiatives (including awareness campaigns) led by YPAG youths. Initiatives topics would surround Mental Health, Early Marriage Social Cohesion, Peace Building, Employability, Environment and Climate.
• Support the project team with the delivery of Output 3 Strengthen YUCA capacity through design and implementation of green initiatives led by youths. This will include the following; working closely with other specialists, providing technical inputs in designing and commencing civic and digital engagement advocacy initiatives led by YUCA and the trained 65 youths. Initiatives would focus on promoting practical solutions that aim to mitigate the impacts of climate change and promote environmental sustainability.
• Other than that mentioned above, contribute to the implementation of all the activities including reporting, M&E, finance, conducive to meeting project goals in all targeted areas.
• Travel between project implementation locations in Basra Governorates ensuring smooth project delivery.
• Any other task as assigned and agreed upon with the project manager.

^[1] UNICEF-Adolescents Development and Participation (ADAP) formed and launched the Young People’s Advisory Group (YPAG) in May 2021 with (35) current members nationwide, representing different governorates of Iraq. This YPAG is being designed for young girls and boys, especially the most vulnerable with meaningful participation and engagement opportunities that will help strengthen their skills and experience with the view of creating a generation of engaged and empowered young people in Iraq who are empowered with needed skills for active engagement in social, civic, and private sectors and participation in decision making processes.

^[2] Through collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Sport (MoYS), UNICEF in Iraq is working with existing youth groups and youth-led organisations, as well as CSO, private sector partners, and UN agencies to create a national platform – Youth United for Climate Action (YUCA). YUCA aims to empower young people to act on climate change and build their capacity to become agents of change in their communities. By educating and empowering young people, they can play a vital role in mitigating and adapting to the impacts of climate change.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

• Bachelor’s degree in any area of knowledge, preferably in human rights, International Affairs, law, public policy or international relations.
• Experience with the delivery of training and facilitation of knowledge development (please mention in your CV or cover letter: titles, objectives, description, and duration of at least 2 similar projects that you were responsible for).
• Experience with the design and implementation of civic initiatives.
• Strong representation and communication skills.
• Experience in conflict resolution and problem solving is an asset.
• Writing and verbal communication skills in both Arabic and English.
• Right to live and work in Iraq, with the ability to travel within and outside the KRI region.
• Willing to start work on short notice.

HOW TO APPLY

Please send the following in English to: [email protected]

• CV
• Covering Letter indicating earliest date of availability.
• Details of 2 references.

Please put ‘Leadership and Advocacy Specialist’ in the email subject line. Note that due to the volume of applications received, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Please apply as soon as possible, CVs will be reviewed on a rolling basis.