Learning-to-Earning Officer

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 have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favouritism. 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, hygiene/sanitation and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfil 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.

Cabo Delgado in Northern Mozambique faces significant challenges stemming from ongoing conflict, climate-related disasters, and socio-economic vulnerabilities. These crises have displaced thousands of families, disrupted the education system, and left many adolescents and youth without access to quality education and skills training. Providing these vulnerable adolescents and youth with opportunities in life is a cornerstone of UNICEF’s mission and a key priority in its education and skills development programming. This focus is reinforced by strong partnerships with international donors and other stakeholders who share a commitment to empowering at-risk adolescents and youth.

The UNICEF Learning-to-Earning agenda is a strategic framework aimed at equipping children, adolescents, and youth with the skills, knowledge, and opportunities they need to transition successfully from education to meaningful employment or entrepreneurship. It emphasizes the integration of foundational, transferable, and job-specific skills within formal and non-formal education systems to prepare young people for the demands of the workforce. The agenda also prioritizes vocational training, career guidance, financial literacy, and partnerships with private and public sectors to create pathways to employment, internships, and self-reliance.

UNICEF and its partners implement in Cabo Delgado holistic formal and non-formal education programs to address immediate and long-term needs, and that provide young people with the knowledge and skills needed to overcome adversity, build sustainable livelihoods, and contribute to the resilience and development of their communities. These programs include:
• Skills Development: Considering the critical need for adolescent and youth empowerment, UNICEF provides among others life skills and vocational training as part of its broader education strategy targeting especially vulnerable, out-of-school youth, including opportunities to gain work experience (i.e. L2E).
• Formal and Non-Formal Education: Strengthening access to formal education while offering non-formal education pathways, such as accelerated education programs and literacy and numeracy classes, to help out-of-school children and adolescents re-engage with education.
• Emergency Response: Ensuring access to safe learning for children and adolescents affected by emergencies, including conflict and natural disasters. Among others, by supporting the establishment of temporary learning spaces, the rehabilitation of schools, the provision of teaching and learning materials, the organization of back-to-school campaigns, etc.
• Teacher and Education Personnel Training: Building the capacity of teachers, facilitators, local craftsmen, and other education personnel to deliver inclusive, quality formal and non-formal education, including mental health and psychosocial support.

The proposed UNV will support program interventions around the Learning-to-Earning agenda, with a focus on skills development, promoting entrepreneurship, and partnership building with private and public sector stakeholders, to facilitate transitioning into formal and/or non-formal jobs.

Core tasks include:
• Considering local labour market demands and opportunities, contributing to the operationalization of UNICEF’s Learning-to-Earning strategy for skill development and employability, including components related to literacy and numeracy classes, life skills, vocational training, financial literacy, internships, mentoring, start-up kits, etc.
• Identifying new technical areas for skills development that may result in secure employment and income generation for youth, including green and digital skills, sustainable agriculture, community development, and more.
• Facilitating partnerships with local businesses, NGOs, local authorities, and other public and private stakeholders to create internship and apprenticeship opportunities for youth.
• Engaging with local communities to promote and disseminate information on UNICEF’s Learning-to-Earning agenda and other youth empowerment programs.
• Producing and disseminating human interest stories, case studies, social media content, news articles, and other content to showcase to the results of the Learning-to-Earning agenda.
• Collaborating with the education team to align skills development initiatives with broader education and youth development objectives in Cabo Delgado and Mozambique.
• Providing support to emergency education activities, including planning and implementing educational interventions for displaced and crisis-affected youth, when needed.