Youth Assistant Coordinator

For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence and exploitation. UNICEF believes that all children have a right to survive, thrive and fulfil their potential – to the benefit of a better world. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.

UNICEF, the United Nations agency for children, works to protect the rights of every child, especially the most disadvantaged and those hardest to reach. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we do whatever it takes to help children survive, thrive and fulfil their potential.

We provide and advocate for education, health and nutrition services. Protect children from violence and abuse. Bring clean water and sanitation to those in need. And keep them safe from climate change and disease.

The world’s largest provider of vaccines, UNICEF also runs the world’s largest humanitarian warehouse. Before, during and after emergencies, we’re on the ground with life-saving help and hope.

This UNV assignment will be part of the Youth Engagement Section at the Division of Global Communication and Advocacy in UNICEF’s Headquarters. This Section provides UNICEF offices and National Committees for UNICEF worldwide with strategic guidance and technical expertise on engaging with youth in communication, advocacy and campaigning, coupled with global coordination, monitoring, knowledge generation and knowledge management of UNICEF’s youth engagement efforts.

One of the priorities for the Youth Engagement Section over the next three years is to integrate youth engagement into UNICEF’s global advocacy strategy on child survival. This strategy aims to drive a catalytic effect in reducing child deaths by promoting equitable access to vaccines, maternal and child health, nutrition services, and community health work.
As a member of this team, this UNV assignment will support the participation of young people in various activities, including trainings and capacity-building workshops, consultations on strategies, global campaigns, and co-creation initiatives. Additionally, the UNV will coordinate young people’s participation in global events and decision-making processes and support the consolidation of a global network of young champions for health rights.

This role will play a crucial part in equipping young people with the tools and skills needed to advocate for child health rights and support their active involvement in decision-making processes. The UNV will collaborate closely with various teams and Regional and Country Offices to achieve these goals.

Under the direct supervision of Digital Communication Specialist at the Youth Engagement Section, the International UN Youth Volunteer will:

• Support the creation and coordination of a global youth health council (5-8 members)
• Support the coordination of the existing network of young people for health rights (+50 members)
• Support the organization of periodic virtual meetings with members of the council and network for consultations, co-creation initiatives and informative sessions.
• Support the participation of young people in high-level events and advocacy opportunities, which includes coordinating logistic aspects, ensuring safeguarding protocols and content.
• Support the production of toolkits and guidelines.
• Support the coordination of trainings and capacity building activities.
• Support monitoring of results and reporting.
• Any other relevant task.

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:

• Supported the establishment of a Global Youth Health Council: Successfully supported the creation and coordination of a council of 5-8 members, which seeks to provide a structured platform for youth leadership in health advocacy.
• Supported the strengthening of the network of young health advocates: Assisted in coordinating and expanding the existing network of over 50 young people, enhancing their collective impact on health rights advocacy.
• Supported the engagement of young people through virtual meetings: Helped organize regular virtual meetings for council and network members, fostering collaboration, co-creation, and information sharing.
• Supported youth participation in high-level events: Facilitated the active involvement of young people in high-level events and advocacy opportunities, ensuring logistical coordination, safeguarding protocols, and relevant content.
• Supported the development of comprehensive toolkits and guidelines: Contributed to the creation and dissemination of toolkits and guidelines, equipping young advocates with essential resources.
• Supported trainings and capacity building: Assisted in coordinating trainings and capacity-building activities, enhancing the skills and knowledge of young health advocates.
• Supported effective monitoring and reporting: Helped monitoring and reporting to track progress and outcomes, ensuring accountability and continuous improvement.
• Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment
• A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed