Mission and objectivesUNICEF has a long-term commitment to Iraqโs children and young people, with the first formal cooperation agreement signed with the Government in 1963. UNICEF works in close partnership with the Federal through established Cooperation Agreements. UNICEF has a broad geographic presence in the country with four offices located in Basra, Baghdad, Erbil and Dohuk. UNICEF collaborates with UN agencies, international and national NGO partners to meet the humanitarian and development needs of most vulnerable children and young people. In recent years, UNICEFโs 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 โrealizing the rights of every child, especially the most disadvantaged. The UNICEF Strategic Plan, 2018โ2021 recognizes the whole spectrum of young people, including young adults or youth over 18, and includes in its Change Strategies โsupporting young people and children as agents of change.โ Taking its cue from the strategic plan, the Global Communication and Advocacy Strategy 2019โ2021 (GCAS) asserts the important role that young people can play in the successful realization of UNICEFโs mandate, and outlines the need to listen to, co-create and collaborate with young people and create meaningful engagement opportunities for them to make a difference. Being important drivers of change, children and young people are essential partners and contributors to both the development and implementation of UNICEFโs Strategic Plan 2022 2025. With a new and ambitious SP, UNICEF intends to be deliberate and committed in fully involving children and young people in creating the solutions to accelerate the realization of the SDGs and driving change forward.
ContextThe fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does, in programmes, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to childrenโs rights into action. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life, in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a societyโs 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. Iraq has the largest youth population in the region, with nearly 60 per cent of its people under the age of 24. This demographic trend presents enormous potential for economic and social transformation. However, the country faces significant challenges related to skilling and employmentโstemming from insufficient investments, the low quality of education, the mismatch between learning outcomes and labour market needs, high school dropout rates, and the rapid technological shifts reshaping labour markets. Across Iraq, UNICEFโs adolescent and youth programmes are known for two core contributions: 1) Supporting vulnerable young people in their transition from learning to earning; and 2) Strengthening youth engagement and civic participation by systematizing their contributions in community development, with a focus on the most marginalized. The Adolescent Development Specialist plays a critical role in advancing results for young people through alternative pathways and by supporting the development of foundational, transferable, digital, green, and job-specific skills. The role also contributes to evidence-based programme design, strengthened data systems, and robust measurement of results across the region, particularly through the Erbil Field Office. This UNV assignment will support UNICEFโs Youth and Adolescent Development and Participation (ADAP) programme in Northern Iraq, with particular emphasis on the PROSPECTS partnership. This includes establishing Learning-to-Earning and Youth Participation Hubs in youth centres under the Ministry of Youth and Sports, supporting vocational training centres under MOLSA, and operationalizing UNICEFโuniversity innovation hubs. Activities will encompass skills development, empowerment, pathways from learning to earning, and the design and implementation of youth-led engagement and advocacy initiatives, ensuring systematic and meaningful participation of young people. The assignment will also focus on establishing and maintaining strong partnerships with PROSPECTS partners and other stakeholders. The UNV Expert will provide technical, operational, and administrative support throughout the programme cycle, from planning to implementation and monitoring, within the Erbil Field Office. This includes preparing, executing, managing, and tracking a wide range of programme tasks to strengthen implementation and ensure results. The role will be central in enhancing the capacities of the government.
Task DescriptionWithin the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Chief of Erbil Field Office and Technical Supervision of the ADAP Manager in the Country Office, the National UN Volunteer Expert will: 1. Programme Development and Planning ยท Contribute to the development of sectoral programme goals, objectives, strategies, and results-based plans through research, data collection, analysis, and reporting. ยท Support the design of ADAP-related programmes/projects, ensuring alignment with national Learning-to-Earning, LSCE, digital/green skills, innovation, and youth participation priorities. ยท Participate in and support evidence-based planning for young peopleโs engagement, integrating robust measurement and evaluation of results. ยท Contribute to technical quality assurance in programme planning and design, ensuring align-ment with RBM principles. ยท Identify and help shape new initiatives that strengthen youth empowerment, participation, and entrepreneurship pathways in Northern Iraq. 2. Networking and Partnership Building ยท Establish and maintain effective partnerships with government line ministries (Ministry of Culture and Youth, Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, DOYS, VTCs, universities, CSOs, and youth networks) and UN agencies to support programme implementation. ยท Strengthen national and local capacities in youth engagement concepts, meaningful participation, advocacy, entrepreneurship, and gender-responsive programming. ยท Provide technical advice to government and CSO stakeholders to integrate youth participation and empowerment into programme interventions. ยท Expand networks and partnerships with youth-led groups, community actors, and civil society to support adolescent development outcomes. ยท Support internal contracting and partnership processes, and prepare related communication materials, TORs, and donor documents. ยท Engage directly with youth-led organizations and networks, including supporting their capacity development, facilitating youth consultationsู, and promoting youth-led initiatives and innovations that advance results for children and communities. ยท Strengthen mechanisms that enable meaningful youth participation and amplify the voices of adolescents and youth in local planning, programme design, and community engagement processes. 3. Programme Management, Monitoring and Delivery of Results ยท Support the UNICEF North Field Office and ADAP team in monitoring projects, including Marharati/My Skills centers, ensuring strong youth empowerment outcomes. ยท Work with partners and the ADAP team to ensure quality of PROSPECTS-funded programming, contributing to sustainability and impact. ยท Collect, analyze, and share data on programme implementation, with specific attention to LSCE, innovation labs, youth entrepreneurship, and social cohesion programming. ยท Identify implementation bottlenecks, propose solutions, and escalate issues requiring higher-level intervention. ยท Ensure partners understand and follow reporting requirements, including translating log-frames into accurate documentation aligned with indicators. ยท Maintain systematic records of reports, assessments, and lessons learned to support institutional knowledge and programme improvement. ยท Prepare meeting minutes, analytical briefs, and reporting inputs for internal and donor requirements. 4. Technical and Operational Support to Programme Implementation ยท Provide hands-on technical support and quality assurance across all stages of programme implementation, including planning, delivery, monitoring, and reporting (RBM-based). ยท Conduct field visits to monitor progress, identify gaps, and recommend corrective measures. ยท Build the capacity of partners on youth and adolescent learning, skilling, inclusive education, youth engagement, and participation. ยท Provide technical guidance to partners on UNICEF policies, strategies, and tools related to education, skills development, and adolescent participation. ยท Support local partners in implementing youth empowerment approaches, entrepreneurship skills-building, and advocacy initiatives. ยท Support communication and visibility efforts related to UNICEFโs work with and for young people, in close collaboration with the Communication team. This includes contributing stories, documentation, and visibility materials that highlight youth engagement, youth-led initiatives, programme achievements, and partnerships with government and civil society. ยท Perform any other related tasks as required by the supervisor.
Competencies and valuesโข Accountability โข Adaptability and flexibility โข Creativity โข Judgement and decision-making โข Planning and organizing โข Professionalism โข Self-management
Living conditions and remarksAs 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 receive a volunteer living allowance to sustain a basic, adequate, and safe lifestyle. This allowance varies from one location to another depending on local living costs, but all national UN Volunteers in the same location receive the same allowance. Below is a summary of the Conditions of Service. Allowances: The purpose of allowances for national UN Volunteers is to enable the national UN Volunteers to sustain a modest and secure standard of living at the duty station. The allowances are in no way to be understood as compensation, reward or salary in exchange for the volunteer work. Volunteer purpose of this allowance is to cover the basic living costs of the national UN Volunteer, and her or his family when applicable. The allowance is to ensure that the volunteer can sustain a basic, adequate and safe lifestyle. โข Monthly Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) at the amount of USD 1564.74 โข Expertise differential at the amount of USD 625.89 โข Well-being differential USD 469.42 โข Annual and learning leaves โข Medical and life Insurance โข Free access to different learning platforms. For more information on UN Volunteer benefits, entitlements and support, please visit: https://www.unv.org/volunteer-your-country-conditions-service