Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Intern

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, 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 are given opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination or, bias. 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. Therefore, the focus on equity and inclusion 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. The Zimbabwe Vision 2030 is “working towards building a new Zimbabwe, a country with a thriving and open economy, capable of creating opportunities for investors and employment” .

The Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) Intern is part of the UNICEF Zimbabwe’s interventions in support of the Adolescent Health National Agenda led by the HIV, Adolescents Development and Participation (ADAP) and Gender Section. The assignment will focus on supporting implementation, monitoring, reporting and documentation of peer led approaches for neutral status pregnant and breastfeeding young mothers.

Zimbabwean adolescent girls face immense SRHR challenges. Adolescent girls and young women are particularly vulnerable to HIV and other negative SRHR outcomes. Many lack the skills and confidence to make safe choices and often face pressure in relationships. According to the National HIV Estimates Report 2024, HIV incidence remains higher among young women (0.39%) compared to young men (0.12%). Factors such as limited HIV knowledge (only 50% of youth aged 15–24 have comprehensive knowledge), high teenage pregnancy (23%), child marriages (33% of women married before 18), sexual violence (32.5% before age 18), and school dropout (only 54% secondary net attendance) all increase vulnerability, ZDHS 2023/24. About 21% of women seeking antenatal care are aged 15–19. Among pregnant women who tested HIV positive in 2023, 15% were adolescents aged 15–19. The unmet need for family planning among 15–19-year-old girls is 12.6%. With 92.5% of Zimbabweans lacking health insurance, access to SRHR services remains a challenge.

Adolescent pregnancy remains a significant concern, with a national rate of 23% and a median age of sexual debut at 16 years (ZDHS, 2023/24). Alarmingly, 31% of girls report experiencing forced sexual debut, and 4% of pregnancies occur among girls with disabilities. Key drivers of adolescent pregnancy include the ongoing economic recession, which has contributed to poverty, unemployment, and the depletion of family savings. Other contributing factors are child marriage, limited parent-child communication on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), a lack of youth-friendly recreational facilities, restrictive social and religious norms, and the migration of parents and caregivers. In many cases, the absence or limited presence of parents and caregivers, due to long working hours or prolonged separation, has led to a lack of supervision and care. This environment increases adolescents’ vulnerability to consensual sex, transactional sex, and sexual abuse. According to ZDHS (2023/24), adolescent girls aged 15–19 in rural areas are twice as likely to have ever been pregnant compared to their urban counterparts (30% vs. 15%). The prevalence of adolescent pregnancy is highest in Mashonaland Central (37%) and Mashonaland West (31%), and lowest in Bulawayo (13%) and Harare (16%). Education also plays a crucial role; women with more than secondary education begin childbearing around seven years later than those with no education (24.7 years vs. 18.0 years).

The HIV/AIDS and Adolescent Development Section in UNICEF works with government ministries, primarily the Ministry of Health and Child Care, the UN family and development partners to promote positive SRH outcomes for adolescents and young people.

Under the supervision of the Adolescent Development Specialist with overall guidance and oversight from the Chief of HIV/AIDS, Adolescents and Gender, or his/her designated representative/s, the SRHR Intern will undertake the following tasks.

• Contribute to the planning and implementation of activities under the 7% HIV prevention and 2gether4SRH programmes and specifically.
o Support the adaptation and roll out of the UNICEF Regional SBC toolkit on Sexual and Reproductive Health for adolescents and young people
o Participate in the adaptation of the Young Mentor Mother (YMM) model, its roll out for HIV status neutral pregnant and breastfeeding young mothers
o Organise monthly meetings with implementing partners to track implementation progress, track expenditure and come up with strategies to address identified challenges
• Support with documentation and taking minutes in key meetings and events including using technology/AI
• Assist with preparations for the section’s Annual rolling workplan and input on the mid-year and annual reviews
• Participate in key ASRH thematic working groups such as Joint UN thematic group on HIV/AIDS, the National ASRH Forum and other related meetings
• Contribute to the section’s resource mobilization efforts through inputs into concept notes, proposals
• Actively engage in weekly HIV/AIDS Section Meetings, including as a rotating chair and notetaker
• Any other related tasks may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

• 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 instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day).
• Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country.
• Provide annual and end-of-assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
• 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.

Results/expected outputs:

As an active UNICEF ZimCO HIV/AIDS & ADAP team member, ensure efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support is rendered to UNICEF and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including:
• Effective planning and implementation of activities under the HPV+, 7% HIV Prevention, and 2gether4SRH programmes
• UNICEF interests are represented in key ASRH thematic working groups such as the Joint UN Thematic Group on HIV/AIDS and the National ASRH Forum
• Contributed to the development of the HIV/AIDS and Adolescent Development Section’s rolling workplan and provided input on the mid-year and annual reviews
• Contributed to the section’s resource mobilization efforts through inputs into concept notes and proposals
• Actively engaged in weekly HIV/AIDS Section Meetings, including as a rotating chair and notetaker
• Completed additional tasks assigned by the supervisor
• Collegial relations maintained with office sections, UN Joint Team on HIV/SRH, government and Youth-led Organisations that result in efficient action and problem solving