Adolescent Development and Gender Specialist, (ADAP) NO 3, Temporary Appointment, 364 days, Manila, Post no. 127766

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, empowerment.

The Philippines Country Office is hiring an Adolescent Development and Gender Specialist NO 3, (ADAP) on a temporary appointment for 364 days to increase dedicated capacity and expertise in Philippines on gender and adolescent programming.

Gender equality is essential to realizing the mandate of UNICEF to uphold the rights of all children. The UNICEF Gender Action Plan (GAP), 2022–2025, operationalizes the UNICEF Gender Policy, 2021–2030, by specifying how UNICEF will promote gender equality across its programmes and workplaces. It affirms that promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls is the responsibility of everyone, regardless of organizational role.

The GAP elaborates the steps required to accelerate progress on gender equality across the five Goal Areas of the UNICEF Strategic Plan, 2022–2025, as well as within institutional systems and processes, with clear indicators and monitoring mechanisms to track change. The GAP builds on an increasing knowledge base on gender equality, including current evidence regarding the gendered effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. It responds to lessons learned from the implementation of previous GAPs and an extensive global consultative process with staff, partners, and young people. It is grounded in the human rights principles of non-discrimination and equality and articulates the role of UNICEF, as a collaborator with Governments and other partners, in supporting the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Recognizing that gender discrimination has lifelong and intergenerational impacts, the GAP advances gender equality throughout the life course. At the same time, it promotes targeted actions to advance the leadership and well-being of adolescent girls, as girls are both disproportionately affected by gender inequality and have tremendous potential to be leaders for change. This dual-track approach goes beyond responding to the manifestations of gender inequality to tackle its underlying drivers, including by engaging boys and men as allies; advancing upstream financing and policy solutions; and supporting girls’ agency and voice. In preparation for the new Country Programme, UNICEF Philippines conducted a Gender Programmatic Review in late 2022 to help inform and identify priority areas for gender-related interventions.

Investing in adolescents strengthens their ability to advance human rights and build a bright future for themselves, their families, and entire countries. UNICEF takes a life-course approach to adolescent development and participation, identifying critical risks and opportunities that have implications for the realization of children’s rights, from the first decade through the second. UNICEF’s current Strategic Plan highlights an organizational shift when it comes to working with young people as equal partners. In line with UNICEF’s Engaged and Heard: Guidelines on adolescent participation and civic engagement on adolescent development and participation, as well as the UNICEF Philippines Country Programme for 2024-2028, UNICEF plans to support gender-and adolescent-responsive systems and services, through meaningful participation of adolescents and supporting youth-led action to influence social norms, decision-making and policies affecting them, including on climate action. UNICEF plans to support gender-responsive and adolescent-friendly systems and services and adolescent engagement and empowerment, including through meaningful participation of adolescents in their communities, social norms change, and the political processes that affect them.

Visit this link for more information on UNICEF in the Philippines https://www.unicef.org/philippines/

How can you make a difference?

The Adolescent Development and Gender Specialist provides technical guidance/operational support throughout all stages of programming to facilitate the management and delivery of results contributing to gender equality and adolescent development and participation.

The post supports the development, implementation, and monitoring of high-quality gender and adolescence programming across sectors. i.e. 1) supports senior programme colleagues and management of the Country Office to mainstream gender and adolescent participation by prioritizing key results within relevant sector(s) and sub-sectors; 2) leads cross-sectional collaboration and coordination on key programmatic results on gender and adolescence, ensuring coherence, maximization of synergies and efficiency in utilization of resources and delivery of results; 3) works with programme colleagues and management so that gender and adolescence results are effectively defined, measured, and reported, and high quality assessment, research, evidence generation and evaluation is undertaken and utilized,; 4) Supports/leads effective review, assessment, planning, capacity building, and knowledge management on gender and adolescent development and participation; 5) Supports the assessment and identification of gender and adolescence needs for emergency preparedness and response, and provides gender and adolescence-relevant guidance and technical input on emergency programming.

Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Representative-Programmes, the Adolescent Development and Gender Specialist undertakes the following:

1. Management and/or advisory support to Deputy Representative
2. Program development and planning (including emergency contexts)
3. Program management, monitoring and delivery of results (including emergency contexts)
4. Provide advisory services and technical support
5. Conducts advocacy, networking, and partnership building
6. Support innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

*A complete Job description with task details may be found in this  TOR TA – Gender and Adolescent Programme Specialist SGD_OD.pdf

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

• Advanced university degree (Masters’ or higher) in the social sciences (i.e. sociology, demography, psychology, political science, gender studies, social policy or economics), public health, public policy, public administration, international development, or in an area relevant to UNICEF’s sectoral work (e.g. Health, Nutrition, WASH, Education, Child Protection, Social Inclusion, HIV/AIDs, Climate Change, and others)

*A Bachelors’ degree social sciences (i.e. sociology, demography, psychology, political science, gender studies, social policy or economics), public health, public policy, public administration, international development plus seven (7) years of experience in related ADAP/Gender field may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.

• 5 years’ increasingly senior level experience working particularly in public advocacy, partnership preferably in social development area.

• Seasoned and recognized professional in his or her field of expertise – public advocacy. Proven track record in developing practical strategy and compelling and innovative approach to draw attention. In-depth knowledge and understanding of advocacy environment, what works and how.

• Strong network and ability to reach out to key actors and influencers to build communication alliance for UNICEF. Thorough understanding of creative and advance level use of traditional and new media for advancing public advocacy agenda.

• Experience in developing baseline, scientifically monitoring, and measuring communication and advocacy interventions.

• Previous UNICEF, UN and/or INGO experience in a similar role is an asset.

How to apply

Qualified candidates are requested to complete an online candidate profile in http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/ by 18 March 2024 Only applications sent through the e-recruitment portal under 57004will be considered.

By applying through our Talent Management System (TMS) you agree to our privacy statement which is in line with the Philippines’ Data Privacy Act. You are strongly advised to read carefully through the privacy statement before submitting your application.

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

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.

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.
We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.
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. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. 

Remarks:

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable male are encouraged to apply.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also 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 cancelled.

All selected candidates will 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.

Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government 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.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.