Mission and objectivesUNICEF is committed to realizing the rights of all children to help them build a strong foundation and have the best chance of fulfilling their potential. We believe that ensuring a child is happy and healthy begins before birth: from ensuring their mother has access to good health care to reaching adulthood as a healthy, empowered and informed young person of the next generation. This journey relies on every child having access to quality health care, good nutrition, education, and growing up in a safe environment free from violence. UNICEF works in some of the worldโs toughest places, to reach the worldโs most disadvantaged children. Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone. For more information about UNICEF and its work for children, visit www.unicef.org.
ContextThe UNICEF Namibia Country Officeโs Country Programme runs from 2025-2029, is aligned to the United Nations Framework (UNSDCF 2025-2030), and contributes to national development priorities and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS). Child protection, under output 2.3 in the Namibia UNICEF Country programme, reads: Government has improved capacity to develop or update legislation and policies and regulate, implement and monitor the provision and quality of child protection services. Evidence such as the VACS (2020) and the Disrupting Harm study indicates that 42.5% of children aged 13-17 have experienced offline violence, and 9% have experienced online sexual exploitation and abuse (OCSEA). More girls (50%) than boys (31%) ever told anyone, but only 10% sought help. The most common reason for not seeking services was not thinking it was a problem or not needing or wanting services (54%). The most common perpetrators were relatives (60%), friends and neighbours (33%) Disrupting Harm study shows that 9% of children received unwanted request for photos/videos, 5% were offered money/gifts, 3% threatened or blackmailed online, 5% had their sexual images shared and 7% accepted money or gifts. Most children experienced OCSEA through social media, with Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram being the most common platforms on which this occurred. Most children were more inclined to disclose being victims of OCSEA to their interpersonal networks rather than to helplines or the police. A notable proportion of children (30%) did not tell anyone about their OCSEA experiences. Task DescriptionUnder the direct supervision of the Child Protection Specialist, the UN Youth Volunteer (UNV) will undertake the following tasks: โข Support logistics and planning for the development of the CRVS strategic plan; โข Engagement with Childrenโs Parliament for their input to the Combatting Sexual Exploitation Bill and to advocate for its enactment; โข Support planning and implementation of activities related to partner training and capacity strengthening; โข Support partners as needed on the implementation of UNICEF-supported activities and key events; โข Support with dissemination of Social and Behavioural and media related to Violence Against Children and OCSEA; โข Support with logistics and notetaking for key national and regional coordination meetings as required; โข Support knowledge management on CP resources and documentation for media purposes; โข Engage as required in regional and global thematic Child Protection initiatives and programmes; โข Engage in Young UNICEF activities as required to ensure young UNV's are adequately represented in UNICEF.
Competencies and valuesCare; Respect; Integrity; Trust; Accountability; Sustainability; Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness; Works Collaboratively with others; Builds and Maintains Partnerships; Innovates and Embraces Change; Thinks and Acts Strategically; Driven to achieve impactful results; Manages ambiguity and complexity.
Living conditions and remarksThe Republic of Namibia is in southwestern Africa, with an estimated population of 3,022,401 and a surface area of 825,418 kmยฒ. The capital city of Namibia is Windhoek, situated at around 1,700 m above sea level, with a population of 431,000, which is growing continually due to a continued migration from other regions in Namibia. The United Nations Office, which houses all UN agencies, including UNICEF, is based in Windhoek. Namibia shares borders with Angola, Zambia and Zimbabwe in the North, Botswana in the East and South Africa in the South. The currency in Namibia is the Namibian Dollar, which is fixed and equal in value to the South African Rand. The South African Rand is also a legal tender in Namibia. English is the official language in Namibia, whilst other languages such as Afrikaans and German are widely spoken and enjoy a similar status as official languages in selected schools. (Details are provided to all new staff joining UNICEF as part of the standard welcoming package.) The Security Level in Windhoek, Namibia, is classified as Level 1 per the UN security management system. There are limited security risks. However, all newly arriving staff members and international consultants get an appropriate briefing on the security in the country by the UN Department of Security Services (UNDSS), based in Namibia. Different types of long-term accommodation are available in Windhoek: Apartments, standalone houses, and sectional titles (house compounds). These could be furnished and/or fully serviced, or unfurnished. Some can be rented out, including water and electricity, where the tenant is expected to pay for those monthly. In contrast, some are rented out, and water and electricity are included in the rental fee. All UNICEF new staff arrivals MUST ensure that UNDSS has assessed his/her potential home before signing a lease with a landlord or a real estate company. UNICEF has a list of recommended estate agencies, and contacts are provided as part of a standard welcoming package available to all new staff. UN Volunteers receive the following entitlements: โข A Monthly Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA): NAD15995. per month; โข A once-off entry lump sum of $400 at the start of the assignment; โข Medical insurance, Life cover, and annual leave; โข Access to all learning platforms; โข A once-off exit lump sum at the end of the assignment.