Adolescents and Youth Development Officer with UNICEF Jordan At UN Volunteers

Mission and objectives

UNICEF was established in 1946 to supply emergency relief to millions of children suffering in the aftermath of World War II. The organization still functions to ease the suffering of millions of children in emergency situations across the world. UNICEF also focuses on the protection and promotion of child rights, working for the survival, protection, education and healthy development of every child.

UNICEF has worked in Jordan since 1952 to promote and protect the rights of children. In the following decades, significant progress has been achieved for children. Since the beginning of the Syrian crisis in 2013, UNICEF has significantly increased its operation to respond to the challenges faced by both refugee children and those in the communities where they live.

Building on the lessons learned from this emergency response, UNICEF Jordan moved to a vulnerability approach in 2018 – supporting interventions that target the most vulnerable children in the country, regardless of their nationality.

Context

The UNICEF Adolescents and Youth Development programme ADAP in Jordan empowers adolescents and youth with the skills and opportunities to transition into a productive and resilient adulthood, positioning them as active agents of change within their communities and beyond. By fostering inclusive, gender-transformative pathways to entering the labor market, the programme ensures equal opportunities for all youth, regardless of gender, nationality, or socioeconomic status. The ADAP program tackles systemic, social, and economic challenges faced by Jordanian youth through a threefold strategy focusing on skills development, employment support, and experiential learning.

1. Inclusive, Gender-Transformative Skills Development: Youth receive life, climate, mental health, digital, and entrepreneurship skills aligned with market demands to foster inclusivity and self-efficacy.

2. Employment (Formal & Self-Employment): The program provides TVET, on-the-job training, and support for MSMEs, including freelance and innovative farming, to prepare youth for wage or self-employment.

3. Experiential Learning & Service Leadership: Hands-on learning promotes leadership, volunteering, and youth engagement in community and climate action, empowering them to influence social change.

The assigned UN Volunteer will support the implementation of the Adolescent and Youth Development programme across Jordan, including in Syrian refugee camps. Their responsibilities will include daily follow-ups on programme activities, conducting field visits, and participating in documentation processes. Additionally, under the supervision of the Youth Officer, the UN Volunteer will prepare an action plan to make the youth programme more inclusive, with a particular focus on young people with disabilities.

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. National UN Volunteers are part of the insurance plan.

National UN Youth Volunteers in Jordan are entitled to: • Monthly Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) at the amount of JOD 1101.58;

• Annual and learning leaves;

• Free Medical and life insurance; and

• Free access to different learning platforms.

Task description

Under the direct supervision of Adolescents and Youth Specialist , the UN Volunteer will focus on programme implementation and quality support in the following areas:

• Plan specific activities in coordination with the youth programme team that follow Adolescent and Youth Development section programme strategy.

• Conduct periodic field visits to the programme sites and follow up with partners on progress.

• Meet young people who are benefiting from the ADAP programme and convey their successes and challenges to the programme team.

• Develop an assessment for inclusive workplaces in Jordan.

• In partnership with Advocacy and Influencing Pillar, develop a summary of inclusive laws and their implementation in Jordan.

• Conduct ongoing assessments with young people with disabilities on their aspirations and challenges.

• Support with other tasks as needed.

Skills

Eligibility criteria

Age

18 – 80

Nationality

Candidate must be a national or legal resident of the country of assignment.

Requirements

Required experience

3 years of experience in national and/or international level in youth economic engagement programmes, or other relevant programmes; experience with Livelihood programmes is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization;

• Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills;

• Fluent in Arabic and English;

• Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing;

• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development;

• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel;

• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment;

• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines;

• Sound security awareness;

• Have affinity with or interest in Adolescents and Youth Development and Participation, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

Area(s) of expertise

Communication, Economics and finance

Languages

Arabic, Level: Fluent, Required

English, Level: Working knowledge, Required

Required education level

Bachelor degree or equivalent in economics, social science, Sustainable Development, Political Science, or other related fields

Competencies and values

• Builds and maintains partnerships.

• Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness.

• Drive to achieve results for impact.

• Innovates and embraces change.

• Manages ambiguity and complexity.

• Thinks and acts strategically.

• Works collaboratively with others