Programme Coordinator (Youth engagement& Local Governance) - (UNOPS Individual Contractor Agreement - Level 3), Tyre, Lebanon

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.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built. We offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture., coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, commitment

This position will support multiple UNICEF programmes including Youth and Adolescents, and Local Governance including in times of emergency in South Lebanon and Nabatieh (SAN) Field Office. Reporting to the Chief of Field Office in South and Nabatieh, with technical dotted reporting lines to the sections of Adolescent and Youth (YAD), Social Policy, and Field Operations.  Under the supervision of the Chief Field Office (CFO) in South and Nabatieh, the contractor will provide technical assistance and support for programme design, planning, implementation monitoring, and contribute to the quality programme activities, data analysis and progress reporting, in support of achievement of programme goals and objectives for children, adolescent and youth in South and Nabatieh (SAN).

How can you make a difference?

• Contribute to the development of the adolescent and youth section’s programme in SAN:  closely work with UNICEF Adolescent and youth programme section and contribute to its goals, objectives, strategies and results-based planning through monitoring, collection, research, analysis and reporting of related information/data for development planning and goal setting. Prepare required programme documentations/materials/data to facilitate the programme review and approval process
• YAD programme technical and operational support to programme implementation: Conduct regular programme field visits and surveys, exchange information with partners/stakeholders to assess progress, provide technical support and identify opportunities for convergence with other sector towards an integrated approach. Take appropriate action to resolve issues and refer to the section for resolution. Report on critical issues, bottlenecks, and potential problems for timely action to achieve results.
• YAD programme Monitoring: Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual reviews with government and other counterparts to assess programmes/projects on adolescent development, participation and report on required action/interventions at the higher level of programme management. Prepare regular/mandated relevant programme/project reports for management, donors and partners to keep them informed of programme progress. Coordination with the implementing partners and the section for information sharing, risk assessment, results sharing and raise any major issues and/or concerns faced in the youth programme activities in the field to be addressed jointly.
• Emergency preparedness and response: support the Field Office in quality preparedness and response to emergencies in close coordination with the Field Operations and Supply sections in prepositioning of supplies, contingency plans, partners support and training to manage and distribute supplies in timely and relevant manner in close coordination and alignment with the local authorities and coordination mechanisms. 
• Sensitization and capacity support: dialogues, sensitize, and capacitate the selected municipalities, unions and governors on local governance, child wellbeing and rights, social accountability, disaster risk reduction, multidimensional vulnerabilities, challenges as well as opportunities and initiatives at local level to deal with them in South and Nabatieh Governorates.
• Concept notes and terms of reference: support in developing notes and TORs for local systems strengthening, DRR (Disaster Risk Reduction)/ DRM (Disaster Risk Management) capacity building, and other relevant localization initiatives at municipality and/or governorate level.
• Local data and evidence: support the identification and update of children related findings on issues and priorities in the municipal level through local data generated in coordination with UNICEF planning, monitoring, and evaluation (PME), sections, and other agencies/partners (e.g., municipal snapshots, neighborhood profiling, surveys and studies for the Southern Suburb Union 5-year plan), workshops, community consultations, etc.
• Local policies, plans, and budgets: support the process of developing child-friendly local plans and programmes with the priority municipalities and unions in South and Nabatieh, with the support of UNICEF sections to enhance children’s access to services.
• Programme quality and relevance: closely work with UNICEF programme officers in South and Nabatieh Field Office and CFO to align implementing partners’ plans and activities to contribute to the local area ones of municipalities and unions. (e.g. child friendly spaces, MSCC, mental health spaces, PSEAH mechanisms, inclusion, Accountability to Affected People, Qudwa initiatives, Disaster Risk Reduction strategies and plans etc) in South and Nabatieh Governorates.
• Community engagement and Youth Participation in local decision-making: support the selected municipalities and unions in South and Nabatieh Governorates to empower their communities through enhanced participation and sharing of information, including during emergencies, and establish sustainable feedback platform with technical supports from the CFO and Programme Specialist – Local Governance at Country Office and Social behavioral Change section.
• Coordination for local and area-based work: under the guidance of the CFO, collaborate with other actors and join efforts such as UNDP, UN-HABITAT, UNOPS, UNHCR, DRM, LRC, etc to maximize results and impact for children in local authorities and communities in South and Nabatieh Governorates.
• Contribute to UNICEF Local Governance efforts in evidence generation, documentations, monitoring, piloting of projects and initiatives, planning, mid and year end reviews of the field rolling workplan and provide the needed inputs for South and Nabatieh Governorates.

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

Minimum requirements:

• Education:  Bachelor’s degree in a relevant area, Social Sciences, International Relations, Government, Public Administration, Public Policy, Social Policy, Social Development, Community Development, or other relevant disciplines. Secondary school+2 years of experience replaces University Degree.
   
• Work Experience:
  • At least 3  years of professional work experience, at the national and/or international level, in local governance, localization/ and local system strengthening, emergency, youth and adolescent engagement and development, or other relevant programmes; experience with DRR (Disaster Risk Reduction / DRM (Disaster Risk Management) system strengthening, emergency preparedness and response, youth engagement and development, monitoring of activities and quality assurance.
  • Experience working in the UN or other international development organization is an asset.
  •   Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills.
  • Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing is required.
  • Excellent knowledge and understanding of context within the area is required.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development. Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; agility in emergenices, ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel.
  •  Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment.
  • Sound security awareness.
• Language Requirements: Fluency in Arabic and English is required. Knowledge of French or any other UN language is considered an asset.

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

The 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 

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.

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.

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.