Adolescent Development Officer, NO-2, Fixed Term Position, Beijing, China, #00108593 (until 31 December 2027)

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

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For every child, the right to a Future

Job organizational context:

The Adolescent Development Officer GJP is to be used in a Country Office (CO) where the health programme is a major/key component of the Country Programme (or UNDAF). Under the overall supervision and strategic direction of Chief of Health and Nutrition, the Officer reports to the Health Specialist (Maternal, Neonatal, Children and Adolescent Health) who is at Level 3.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Support to programme development and planning

Contribute to updating the situation analysis by conducting assessments to establish evidence-based data for UNICEF advocacy and development of policies, frameworks and programmes to strengthen primary health care and promote maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health and development in the country , including ECD, EENC, adolescent mental health and wellbeing, NCD prevention and health promotion, school health and related priorities, and for monitoring results on related programmes/projects.

Contribute to the development/establishment of health programme goals, objectives, strategies and results-based planning through research, collection, analysis and reporting of related information/data for development planning and priority and goal setting.

Provide technical and operational support throughout all stages of programming processes by executing/administering a variety of technical, programme, operational and administrative transactions, preparing related materials/documentations and complying with organizational processes and management systems, to support programme planning, results based planning (RBM) and monitoring and evaluating results.

Prepare required programme documentations/materials/data to facilitate the programme review and approval process.

2. Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results

Work closely and collaboratively with colleagues and partners to discuss operational and implementation issues related to primary health care, ECD, EENC, adolescent mental health and wellbeing, NCD prevention and health promotion, school health and other relevant child and adolescent health and development priorities; provide solutions, recommendations and/or alert appropriate officials and stakeholders for higher-level intervention and/or decisions. Keep record of reports and assessments for easy reference to capture and institutionalize lessons learned.

Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual reviews with government and other counterparts to assess programmes/projects on primary health care and related child and adolescent health and development priorities and report on required action/interventions at the higher level of programme management.

Monitor and report on the use of programme resources (financial, administrative and other assets), verify compliance with approved allocation/goals, organizational rules, regulations/procedures and donor commitments, standards of accountability and integrity. Report on critical issues/findings to ensure timely resolution by management/stakeholders. Follow up on unresolved issues to ensure resolution.

Prepare regular/mandated relevant programme/project reports for management, donors and partners to keep them informed of programme progress.

3. Technical and operational support to programme implementation

Conduct regular programme field visits and surveys, and exchange information with partners and stakeholders to assess progress, provide technical support, resolve issues and report on bottlenecks for timely action. Provide technical and operational support to government counterparts, NGO and UN system partners, and other country office partners on the application and understanding of UNICEF policies, strategies and best practices to support programme implementation and delivery of results.

4. Networking and partnership building

Build and sustain close partnerships with government counterparts and stakeholders through sharing information to support programme implementation and build capacity.

Draft communication materials for programme advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnerships and support resource mobilization.

Participate in inter-agency meetings to collaborate on planning and align UNICEF position with UNDAF processes.

5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

Identify, capture, synthesize and share lessons learned to build stakeholder capacity.

Apply innovative approaches and promote good practice for sustainable programme results.

Research and report on cutting edge practices for knowledge development.

Impact of Results

The support, research and technical analysis provided by the incumbent strengthens the advocacy, planning and formulation of health programmes. The achievement of concrete and sustainable results from these programmes contribute to achievement of UNICEF goals in the country to promote the survival, development, wellbeing and participation of children and adolescents, support their rights to a safe environment and protecting their rights to survival, development and well-being in society. This in turn contributes to maintaining/enhancing the credibility and ability of UNICEF to provide programme services for mothers and children that promotes greater social equality and inclusion in the country.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: Adolescent Development Officer Level 2.pdf

To qualify as a champion for every child you will have…

Minimum Requirements:

• Education: Bachelor or equivalent (First Level University Degree) in Public Health, Medicine, anthropology, psychology, sociology, education and any other related fields.
• Work Experience: At least 2 years of relevant work experience in Health Care, Early Childhood Development, social development, social management, adolescent development and any other related fields is required.
• Skills: Proven experience in analysis, technical support, learning, researching, planning, organizing is required.
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required.

Desirables:

1. Language: Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language
2. Experience in working in a developing country and an international organization is considered an asset.
3. Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF's Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships
(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
(3) Drive to achieve results for impact
(4) Innovates and embraces change
(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity
(6) Thinks and acts strategically
(7) Works collaboratively with others
(8) Nurtures, leads and manages people

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, qualified candidates with disability are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants' bank account information.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF's Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

Visa residence requirements: i.e. UNICEF shall not facilitate the issuance of a visa and working authorization for candidates under consideration for positions at the national officer and general service category.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.