Job Opportunity for Economic Opportunity (Jobs, Entrepreneurship & Apprenticeship) Officer at YuWaah in New Delhi

Mission and objectives

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 favoritism. 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. 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.

Context

In recent years, UNICEF’s work to support the unique needs of young people has gained momentum, as the challenges facing them have come more sharply into view. UNICEF is committed to deliver for all children and young people through its overall impact goal of ‘realizing the rights of every child, especially the most disadvantaged. Building on the current work with, and for, adolescents, in line with the United Nations Youth Strategy, UNICEF is developing a new global partnership, Generation Unlimited (GenU), which is dedicated to expanding opportunity for young people from ages 10 to 24 years. Maximising the potential of the United Nations system, Governments, Civil Society Organizations and the private sector, and of young people themselves, GenU is focused on finding new ways to ensure that every young person is in school, undergoing formal or informal learning or training, or is employed by 2030. The focus will be on reaching those in the greatest danger of being left behind: including girls, the poor, young people with disabilities or on the move, or affected by conflict and natural disasters. The India version of GenU has been named YuWaah. It signifies catalytic partnerships to unleash the potential of adolescents and young people. YuWaah has been designed to allow co-creation of solutions that are relevant and scalable for ensuring that young people in India have opportunity and choices for learning; have avenues and spaces for functional and vocational training, and can choose between employment and entrepreneurship which are accessible locally. Out of the three thematic pillars under GenU/YuWaah, Pillar 1 involves aspirational economic opportunities for young people. This pillar specifically involves: -Building hyper local job connects -Promoting apprenticeships -Enabling ecosystem for youth entrepreneurship

Task description

Under the overall guidance of the Chief of GenU, Youth Development Partnerships and direct supervision of Lead, Economic Opportunities (Jobs & Entrepreneurship) of the YuWaah Secretariat and secondary reporting to Chief Operating Officer, YuWaah the Economic Opportunity Officer will undertake the following tasks:

I)Assist work related to building hyper local job connects, apprenticeship and youthentrepreneurship”

i.Provide support on planning, implementation and monitoring of Yuwaah Pillar 1 activities

ii.Support in identification and finalisation of the innovative, scalable solutions related to thethematic area

iii. Design a system for managing recommendations, suggestions and challenges from the field andpartners.

iv.Liaise with GenU/Yuwaah partners to identify and mobilize technical expertise

v.Support the preparation of scalable proposals from solution partners

vi.Create and maintain an active network of Delhi & state office colleagues and partners throughregular interactions (calls and meetings)

vii.Support in regular project tracking as per the signed agreements to generate evidence on partnercontributions

viii.Develop a matrix to aggregate field results as contributing to GenU/Yuwaah goals

II. Knowledge Management

i.Contribute to development and dissemination of newsletters, documentation of meetings

ii.Develop/collect case studies and human interest stories from partners

iii.Prepare status updates on pillar 1 activities iv.Contribute to regional and global bulletins as requested

III)Report and proposal writing

i.Support in preparing programme and project status reports

ii.Contribute to the planning and review of the GenU/Yuwaah annual work plans and other strategicand programme documents

iii.Assist in drafting briefing notes, talking points, funding proposals, presentations and donor reports

•Any other related tasks as 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 relevantUNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events thatmark 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 andopportunities.

•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 localindividuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technicallypossible. As an active team member, provide efficient, timely, responsive and high-quality support renderedto UNICEF and its partners including young people in the accomplishment of her/his functions,including:

•Innovative and scalable solutions available for investments and scale up under pillar 1 thematicarea

•Improved monitoring systems and advocacy for GenU/Yuwaah pillar 1 thematic area: Robust database on relevant indicators around pillar 1, recommendations and challenges in implementingprogrammes available

•Data, case studies and human interest stories available to promote evidence-based best practicesin the area of hyper local job connects Evidence available to influence policy to strengthen area of hyper local job connects, apprenticeship and youth entrepreneurship

• Enhanced participation of UNICEF State offices, UN agencies, private sector, CSOs, solution partner organizations and young people regularly in GenU/Yuwaah initiatives on area of hyper local job connects, apprenticeship and entrepreneurship for young people

• Best practices in area of hyper local job connects, apprenticeship and entrepreneurship integrated into annual work plans, reports, fundraising proposals, monitoring and evaluation

• 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 UN Volunteers should be provided equal duty of care as extended to all host entity personnel. Host entity support to the UN Volunteer includes, but is not limited to:

•Introductory briefings about the organisation and office-related context including security,emergency procedures, good cultural practice and orientation to the local environment;

•Support with arrival administration including setting-up of bank accounts, residence permit applications and completion of other official processes as required by the host government or hostentity;

•Structured guidance, mentoring and coaching by a supervisor including a clear workplan andperformance appraisal;

•Access to office space, equipment, IT support and any other systems and tools required tocomplete the objectives of the assignment including a host entity email address;

•Access to shared host entity corporate knowledge, training and learning;

•Inclusion of the volunteer in emergency procedures such as evacuations;

•Leave management; •DSA for official travel, when applicable;

•All changes in the Description of Assignment occurring between recruitment and arrival or duringthe assignment need to be formalized with the United Nations Volunteer Programme.

Required experience

2 years of experience in

• At least two years of progressively responsible professional work experience at national and / or international levels in programme/project planning and implementation, with a particular emphasis on job connects, livelihood enhancement. Practical experience in research is preferred.

• Developing country work and/or field experience an asset

• Experience working/researching about entrepreneurship ecosystem in the country is an added asset

Area(s) of expertise

Social work

Languages

English, Level: Fluent, Required Hindi, Level: Fluent, Required

Required education level

Bachelor degree or equivalent in social science or relevant field. Current knowledge of labour/job market/job portals and entrepreneurship ecosystem in the country

Competencies and values

Organisation’s competencies: Commitment, Drive for Results, Embracing Diversity, Integrity, Self-Awareness and Self-Regulation, Teamwork

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNICEF; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNICEF procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independentlyunder established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented;

• Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNICEF in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority;

• Teamwork and respect for diversity

• Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities;

• Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;

• Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary;

• Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNICEF’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.