Generation Unlimited – Programme Specialist, (NOC), Nairobi, Kenya- #112887 (364 days) – Open to Kenyan Nationals ONLY

Job Number: 529273 | Vacancy Link

Locations: Africa: Kenya

Work Type : Temporary Appointment

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, rights

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programmes, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

In 2018, UNICEF announced that it would be hosting a new global partnership called Generation Unlimited (GenU). The partnership aims to ensure that by 2030, every adolescent and young person is either engaged in some form of education, receiving skills training or is employed. Kenya has been selected as one of the front runner countries to roll out GenU. The initiative speaks to President Kenyatta’s role as a Global Youth Champion and his vision for a country that engages and supports young people to fulfill their potential. The President is a Global Leader for GenU and Kenya is represented on the Global Board by Kenya’s Minister for ICT.

For Kenya, the GenU initiative is timely. According to the World Bank, Kenya’s youth unemployment rate is relatively high and of growing concern. For instance, in the period 1998-2005, aggregate unemployment fell from 15 percent to 12.5 percent, but the share of unemployed youth rose from 60% to 72%, and the rate of youth joblessness was almost 40%, or an estimated 5.2 million young adults. This is double the adult average of 21 percent.  According to the United Nations Development Programme, the unemployment rate among people 15 to 24 years old in Kenya was 26.2% in 2017.  It is expected that the GenU partnership will help guide the country in accelerating progress on learning, skills/training and linkages to employment.

A GenU Steering Committee has been formed in Kenya. It is Co-Chaired by the Office of the President and the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO). The Committee has wide representation from government ministries, UN agencies and the private sector. The Committee will be articulating its strategic vision drawing on several analytical pieces of work that have been conducted to date and one which is underway.

Purpose for the job:

The Generation Unlimited Specialist, under the supervision of the Deputy Representative, will work closely with the government of Kenya, the RCO and other GenU partners and internally at UNICEF, with programme sections, particularly the Education, Child Protection, Communication, Advocacy and Partnerships (CAP) sections and the Innovation Team. This post will be key in ensuring UNICEF KCO plays a catalytic role in supporting the successful roll out of the GenU Kenya strategy and the achievement of its targets. She/he will be based in Nairobi with 10-20% travel to selected priority counties.

How can you make a difference?

Inform and define UNICEF Kenya’s contribution to the Kenya GenU strategy, through consultation and involvement of the relevant sections / units.

Ensure that the GenU strategy is integrated into UNICEF programme strategies and aligned to outcomes for children in Education, the office’s goals for youth engagement and other relevant programme sections

Support national secretariat to monitor the implementation and progress of the Kenya GenU strategic plan and ensure timely contribution from UNICEF KCO on agreed components..

Act as the key liaison between UNICEF Kenya and the UN Adolescent and Youth Working Group to better inform and mobilize the UN family to contribute to the Kenya GenU strategy and targets.

Coordinate UNICEF Kenya’s contribution to GenU with the RCO and other aligned UN agencies; and, identify opportunities to scale for youth on skills and employability.

Coordinate with UNICEF Kenya Communications, Advocacy and Partnerships (CAP) section to ensure that marketing and communication of GenU activities and progress is undertaken via media, social media and youth engagement

Working with the Resource Mobilization Officer and relevant sections support development of a resource mobilization strategy and funding proposals for KCO to support adolescent and young person development including GenU actions

In coordination with KCO Private Sector Partnerships Specialist and the Sustainable Development Goal Platform of the RCO, engage Industry Associations in defining and delivering an enhanced focus on youth skills and employability within their sectors

Ensure regular progress reporting to the GenU Global Secretariat based in New York and coordination with the Regional Office with regard to knowledge sharing and integration of global good and best practices into the GenU Kenya approach.

Act as overall Focal Point for GenU in UNICEF Kenya and maintain internal and external networks for the intitiative

Represent UNICEF Kenya at selected forums to promote the GenU Kenya approach and support stakeholder engagement.

Perform other related duties as guided by the direct Supervisor.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

At least five years of progressively responsible professional work experience in either private sector engagement, project management, partnerships, youth-centred programmes or a related field.

Substantial demonstrable experience of managing complex multi-stakeholder projects.

Knowledge of the Kenya education and skills landscape is desirable and previous experience with UNICEF or a UN agency in a Country Office setting would be a strong advantage.

Fluency in English and Kiswahili is required.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

The functional competencies required for this post are…

Leading and supervising (I)

Formulating strategies and concepts (III)

Analyzing, Deciding and Initiating Action (II)

Relating and networking (III)

Deciding and Initiating action (II)

Applying technical expertise (II)

Persuading and Influencing (III)

View our competency framework at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

Remarks:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Closing Date Tue Feb 04 2020 21:55:00 GMT+0100 (Afr. centrale Ouest)