UN University Volunteer in Digital Inclusion

Details

Mission and objectives

UNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere.
In all of its work, UNICEF takes a life-cycle based approach, recognizing the particular importance of early childhood development and adolescence. UNICEF programmes focus on the most disadvantaged children, including those living in fragile contexts, those with disabilities, those who are affected by rapid urbanization and those affected by environmental degradation.
UNICEF was created with a distinct purpose in mind: to work with others to overcome the obstacles that poverty, violence, disease and discrimination place in a child’s path. We advocate for measures to give children the best start in life, because proper care at the youngest age forms the strongest foundation for a person’s future.
We promote girls’ education – ensuring that they complete primary education as a minimum – because it benefits all children, both girls and boys. Girls who are educated grow up to become better thinkers, better citizens, and better parents to their own children. We act so that all children are immunized against common childhood diseases, and are well nourished: no child should suffer or die from a preventable illness. We work to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS among young people because it is right to keep them from harm and enable them to protect others. We help children and families affected by HIV/AIDS to live their lives with dignity.
We are UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund.

Context

The assignment canters on adopting an inclusive approach to technology and innovation for a more equitable digital evolution. UNICEF’s South Asia Regional Office (ROSA) emphasizes addressing disparities in digital access, with a particular focus on marginalized children, especially girls. The objectives include providing individuals with access to affordable devices and connectivity, digital platforms and relatable content, along with digital literacy and online safety skills. UNICEF’s expertise in digital programming highlights three critical areas:
• Ensuring equitable access and connectivity to digital technologies.
• Promoting comprehensive digital skills development, including digital literacy and online safety skills.
• Establishing safe and secure digital learning environments, achieved through collabo-ration with families and communities to facilitate digital learning and improve access for all individuals.

Task description

Under the direct supervision of the Regional Technology for Development Manager, the UN University Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:
Contribute to Knowledge Management for Innovative Solutions and Digital transformation: The assignment will involve an assisted exploration of innovative and proven solutions deployed across South Asia to address the digital divide, related to affordable devices and connectivity, platforms, content, digital literacy programs, and online safety measures. The goal is to identify successful practices and innovations that can be disseminated, scaled up, and effectively managed.
Supporting Partnerships: The assignment will actively contribute to UNICEF’s partnership efforts in addressing the digital divide with mobile network operators, device marketplaces, technology companies, industry associations, and so on for providing affordable devices and device management, subsidized internet packages and zero-rating websites, advocacy to connect the disconnected, etc. This involves conducting background research, literature re-view, preparing pitch presentations and concept notes, coordinating with UNICEF programme teams, and facilitating information exchange.
Programme support for Digital Literacy, Online safety, and Social Behaviour Change (SBC) Initiatives: Support development of multi-sectoral initiatives and coordinate efforts to build synergies between UNICEF programmes, such as Education, Gender, Child protection, SBC and Communications, and support monitoring and evaluation of such initiatives for impact.
Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to:
• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for in-stance in events that mark International Volunteer Day);
• Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
• Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities;
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
• Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers;
• Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.