Programme Associate, Youth and Gender

Mission and Objectives

Our Mandate The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the UN’s reproductive health agency dealing with population issues and it is responsible for expanding the possibilities for women and young people to lead a healthy sexual and reproductive life. UNFPA works to accelerate universal access to sexual and reproductive health, including voluntary family planning and safe motherhood; and seeks the realization of rights and opportunities for young people. UNFPA is present in more than 150 countries, improving people’s lives as a catalyst for action and advocacy of their issues. Acting through alliances and partnerships with governments, other UN agencies, civil society and the private sector, UNFPA makes a positive difference for billions of people, especially those most in need. UNFPA also helps countries use population data to anticipate future challenges; offers technical assistance that strengthens and empowers its partners; supports policy formulation and national capacity-building, ensuring that reproductive health and the rights of women and young people remain central issues in the development agenda. UNFPA is making progress – fewer women are dying during childbirth, more unwanted pregnancies are being avoided, and younger women are having their opportunities expanded. But it is necessary to expand these efforts so that we can reach a healthy and fair world. UNFPA – Creating a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled.

Context

• The UN Youth Volunteer will support implementation of the Safeguard Young People (SYP) Programme and provide technical, innovation, coordination and resource mobilization support to the broader UNFPA youth portfolio. Safeguard Young People (SYP) is the flagship youth programme of the UNFPA East and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO). The programme is designed to address the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) needs of adolescents and young people using a holistic approach. The SYP programme has been implemented by UNFPA and its regional and national partners in eight Southern African countries from November 2013 [Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe]. In 2022, the SYP programme was expanded to an additional four countries including Mozambique [Rwanda, Tanzania, Mozambique and Angola]. The aim of the programme is to empower adolescents and young people aged 10 to 24 years to lead healthy lives and to protect themselves from sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV, unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortions, early marriages, gender-based violence and harmful cultural practices. At the same time, SYP promotes inclusiveness, gender-equitable norms and protective behaviours. The programme scales up interventions for adolescents and young people using a human rights and gender equality approach across multiple sectors. This means building an enabling policy and legal environment, expanding access to quality youth-friendly, integrated HIV and SRHR services, delivering comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) in and outside formal classroom settings, and strengthening youth leadership, participation and empowerment.

Task description

1. Support general implementation, management, monitoring and reporting of the UNFPA youth programmes and specifically the SYP Programme.

• Support implementation including IP management, budget, monitoring and reporting on youth related programme interventions with focus on SYP activities and initiatives and liaise and follow up with field colleagues as required.
• Support the implementation, maintenance and popularization of the TuneMe Mobisite and TuneMe App in Mozambique.
• Contribute to donor reporting including the joint SYP annual report to be submitted by ESARO to the SYP donors.
• Participate in and contribute to the SYP regular meetings as well as other relevant meetings on youth engagement as scheduled by ESARO.
• Generate knowledge on ASRHR and specifically on the SYP programme including seizing opportunities for the development and publication of articles and social media content.
• In collaboration with the relevant programme staff including at field level, support youth participation, leadership and accountability initiatives including participation in international, continental and regional conferences.

2. Provide technical, coordination, innovation and resource mobilization support to the broader UNFPA Youth portfolio.

• Stay abreast of new data, developments, studies/research and innovations related to ASRH, SRHR, S/GBV and youth development and participation – and feed into technical discussions, project and proposal developments.
• With support from the youth team at large, develop draft innovative concept notes and ideas, and support innovation initiatives with focus on youth.
• Support the implementation of events and campaigns related to relevant national and UN days including the International Youth Day/ Mozambican Youth Week and the International Day of the Girl Child etc..
• Support the production of knowledge management products and visibility items in the area of Disability and Inclusion, such as leaflets, factsheets and brochures.
• Participate in and support resource mobilization efforts as requested.
• Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

Additional eligibility criteria

This assignment is funded by the Government of Switzerland and therefore specific criteria apply:

•  Candidates must be Swiss nationals.
•  Candidates must be between 18 and 29 years of age at the time of application.
•  Only candidates who have been pre-selected by Switzerland (cinfo) are eligible to apply.

Nationality

• Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.

Requirements

Required Experience

• 1 years of experience in (ideally one year) and/or demonstrated interest in development or humanitarian work on SRHR and/or gender.
• Previous working experience in relation with gender issues, adolescent sexual and reproductive health (ASRH), youth development and participation and/or human rights is a strong advantage.
• Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture, (i.e. studies, volunteer work, internship) would be highly regarded.
• Ability to write and communicate clearly and concisely.
• Computer skills (i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, social media, and others).
• Knowledge of the Southeast Africa Region is an asset.
• Motivated to contribute towards peace and development and to serve others.
• Good interpersonal, networking and communication skills.
• Willingness to contribute and work as part of a team, initiative, sound judgement and demonstrated ability to work harmoniously with staff members from different national and cultural backgrounds.
• Flexible and open to learning and new experiences.
• Respect for diversity and adaptability to other cultures, environments and living conditions.

Area(s) of Expertise

• Development programmes, Social work.

Languages

• English, Level: Working knowledge, Required Portuguese, Level: Working knowledge, Desirable.

Required Education Level

• Master degree or equivalent in Social Sciences or related fields with specialized knowledge in the field of Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and Gender.

Competencies and Values

• Accountability.
• Adaptability and Flexibility.
• Commitment and Motivation.
• Communicating for Impact.
• Integrity.
• Knowledge Sharing.
• Achieving Results.
• Managing Performance.
• Professionalism.
• Respect for Diversity.
• Technological Awareness.
• Working in Teams.

Other Information

Living Conditions and Remarks

Mozambique has a total population of about 29 million people and Maputo is its capital city. The city is very pleasant and offers a wide range of facilities. Mozambique is located on the southeast Coast of Africa. To the East is the Indian Ocean, Tanzania, Malawi and Zambia is to the north, to the west Zimbabwe and South Africa and to the South, Swaziland and South Africa. The total area of Mozambique is 799 380 Km square from North to South. It is tropical hot and humid. The hottest and wettest months in Maputo Province are December to February, when the average daily minimum temperatures are around 22°c and the average daily highs of 30°c. The rain season is between October and April. Winters (June to August) are mild with the average daily temperature ranging from 13°c to 24°c. Communication and transport services are available at various costs. The housing is available but quite expensive, with a wide selection of apartments and houses for rent. Houses and apartments can be rented from US$ 700 to US$ 1,000 per month and meals at the restaurant cost between US$ 10 and US$ 15. Maputo city has several supermarkets that sell food, clothing, and household goods at reasonable prices. Prices of basic commodities and goods are not necessarily low, and quality is often questionable, but you can easily buy all that you need to live in Maputo.

Inclusivity Statement

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.