YELL Project Associate

Mission and objectivesUNICEF is the United Nations Children’s Fund, with more than 17,000 staff members working in 190 countries and territories worldwide. Since 1954, UNICEF has been joining forces with the Government of Malaysia to improve the wellbeing of children. More information on what we do in Malaysia is available at https://www.unicef.org/malaysia/. Climate change and environmental degradation are some of the biggest threats affecting the world’s children, undermining many of the gains achieved in child survival and development. Children are the least responsible for climate change and environmental degradation, yet they stand to bear the most significant burden of its impact. UNICEF is committed to achieving societal transformation necessary for children to live in a sustainable, clean and safe environment. Incepted in 2020 as a partnership between UNDP and UNICEF, YELL aims to strengthen the ecosystem of youth environmental leaders through the localizing of climate and environmental narratives and futures; through capacity building for evidence-based advocacy; and through work exposure and skills-building opportunities.

ContextYELL is a joint programme by UNDP and UNICEF in Malaysia, in collaboration with Amanah Lestari Alam (ALAM), the European Union (EU) and OSK Foundation. YELL aims to create opportunities for young people in Malaysia to play an effective role in actions on climate related and environmental issues. For more information on YELL, please refer to the https://yell.my/ website. UNICEF Malaysia would like to engage one UN Volunteer to support the YELL project team in ensuring effective project planning and implementation. The UN Volunteer will work in a cross-portfolio team comprising UNDP and UNICEF personnel and will be expected to engage diverse entities across Malaysia’s environment, education and entrepreneurship sectors, and beyond.

Task DescriptionUnder the delegated authority and the supervision of the Programme Specialist (NOC #114103), and with technical guidance and support from the YELL Project Manager, YELL Coordinator Consultant, the UNV Youth-Project Associate will assist the YELL Project team in its efforts related to youth policy, programming, advocacy, innovation, and outreach. The UNV will be expected to: Support the project team to ensure effective project planning and implementation • Assist in compiling and summarizing information and data for the formulation of project work plans. In consultation with project team, draft annual/quarterly budgets, proposals on implementation arrangements, and on other specific project related topics or issues; • Ensure compliance of project business processes with UNICEF policies and procedures. When necessary, provide guidance to project staff on business processes, administrative and other requirements and procedures; • Support mainstreaming gender equality in the project implementation, including in data collection and compilation. Prepare gender equality background materials for use in discussions, briefings, and correspondence; • Provide administrative and logistical support to ensure successful project delivery that includes organizing/coordinating project events and selecting appropriate venues, coordinating project procurement procedures, maintaining project records and files, recruiting project team members, and supporting contracting activities. Support partnerships and resource mobilization • Establish and maintain contacts and cooperation with the relevant UN Agencies, government institutions, NGOs, tertiary institutions, partners, and other relevant stakeholders. Provide support in updating the database of the relevant public and development partners, and other stakeholders who are counterparts for the project. • Undertake horizon scanning and explore opportunities for resource mobilization in consultation with direct supervisor; Provide support to the effective monitoring, evaluation, and reporting on progress of project implementation. • Support implementation of the project monitoring system in alignment with its Monitoring and Evaluation framework to ensure effective information sharing, provision of feedback, and elaboration of high-quality progress reports; • Assist in the organization of field and study visits, missions, workshops, and conferences within the project, including event management and administrative and logistical support; • Assist in implementation of effective risk management for the project with a well documented risk mitigation plan in place. Support monitoring of previously identified and emerging risks; • Prepare and consolidate required project reports on a timely basis and in line with monitoring and reporting guidelines and donor requirements; Support knowledge building, knowledge sharing and capacity building relevant to the assigned project. • Provide support in the dissemination and sharing of relevant data and lessons learned. Keep pulse on emerging best practices nationally, regionally, and internationally that relate to the work of the assigned project. • Participate in UNICEF activities, meetings, and events to develop understanding of UNICEF work. 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 relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark 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 and opportunities. • 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 local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible. Results/expected outputs: As a committed, active and professional member of the YELL Project team, efficient, timely, and high-quality support rendered on: • Supporting the YELL project and other integrated youth initiatives in Malaysia, focusing on policy, programming, advocacy, innovation, and outreach efforts, including areas of work on nature and environment, biodiversity conservation, climate change and local and indigenous knowledge. • Identifying opportunities for policy and programme interventions to address gaps and challenges in existing programmes from a youth and inclusion perspective; • Development of innovative solutions, including strategic partnerships and stakeholder engagement and meaningful youth participation, to address complex development challenges; • Communications, Advocacy and Knowledge Management initiatives by being a Youth Advocate with a continued focus on ‘working out loud’ (blogging, social media engagement, etc.). Whilst supporting UNICEF in its work, UNVs should ensure that their assignment is a constructive learning journey that will enhance their leadership skills and potential. • 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.

Competencies and values• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNICEF Malaysia; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNICEF Malaysia 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 independently under 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 Malaysia in daily activities and behaviors 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: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; • Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. • 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; • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNICEF Malaysia’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

Living conditions and remarksThe position will be based in Kuala Lumpur / Putrajaya, where basic living needs, including accommodation, banking facilities, medical facilities, and telecommunications/internet services are readily available. All staple foods can be found in the markets, e.g.: rice, meat, vegetables, fruit, cooking oil, salt, etc. Many imported goods are available in Kuala Lumpur / Putrajaya and other places throughout Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur / Putrajaya has many good restaurants with good health standards and most guesthouses provide food. In Kuala Lumpur / Putrajaya, the most used means of transportation are a car, taxi, local transport or motorcycle. A mobile phone is the most dependable tool to be in touch with colleagues and friends. Internet service is readily available and affordable at most apartment complexes. ATMs are everywhere in Kuala Lumpur / Putrajaya. 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 malicious insurance plan. Benefits and Entitlements: The purpose of the allowances and entitlements paid to UN Volunteers is to enable UN Volunteers to sustain a secure standard of living at the duty stations in line with United Nations standards without incurring personal costs. The allowances are in no way to be understood as compensation, reward, or salary in exchange for the UN Volunteer’s service. Contingent on specific eligibility criteria, location of the volunteer assignment and contractual type and category, the payment of allowances will begin from the date of Commencement of Service. See Annex 05 for allowances. Monthly living Allowance (per month) is around MYR 3348.66 Entry Lump Sum (one-time payment) USD 400 Exit Allowance (for each month served paid on completion of assignment) MYR 348.82 Medical and Life Insurance Coverage Leave entitlements: Annual leave: 2.5 days accrued per calendar month Certified sick leave: 30 days Uncertified Sick Leave: 7 days Learning leave: 10 working days per consecutive 12 months Maternity Leave: 16 weeks Paternity Leave: 10 days