Programme Specialist- Innovation and Youth Development, Johannesburg, ESARO, P-3

The Position:

The exit phase of the SYP programme will require the services of a youth specialist to support the implementation of the SYP programme with a focus on accelerating the ‘unfinished business’ as identified in the Theory of Change of the programme. Under the direct supervision of the Youth Team Lead/SYP Coordinator, the Youth Programme specialist’s support will be directed to accelerate and consolidate progress towards universal access to SRHR information and services among adolescents and young people by leaving no one behind.

Job Purpose:

The Programme Specialist will focus on accelerating the ‘unfinished business’ as identified in the Theory of Change of the programme, in particular focusing on integration of Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (ASRHR) in economic empowerment initiatives, sustaining and scaling up SYP tech-based solutions already developed, and collaborating with relevant UNFPA colleagues at regional level and national level in integrating mental health, menstrual health, self-care, climate change, and other pertinent related emerging issues within adolescent sexual and reproductive health initiatives.

Under the overall guidance of the UNFPA Health System Strengthening Advisor and the direct supervision of the Youth Team Lead and SYP Regional Programme Coordinator, the Programme Specialist will work closely with the SYP regional team and wider East and Southern Africa Regional Office colleagues.

You would be responsible for:

A.    Quality Technical Support to countries implementing SYP  

• Technically support to countries implementing SYP  to design, programme, implement, monitor and evaluate components of the SYP programme that relate to ASRHR and economic empowerment.
• Sustain the partnership with the Youth Connekt Africa – the continental platform on demographic dividend and enhancing investing in young people.
• Capacitate national counterparts on the use of the SYP programmatic guidance on the integration of ASRHR and economic empowerment initiatives which has been developed in collaboration with ILO and the World Bank Group.  
• Support continental, regional, and national level advocacy and policy advancements towards ASRHR.
• In collaboration with the CSE and ASRHR linkages Specialist, ensure the scale-up of self-care models as identified in the 2022 SYP-supported study on self-care for ASRHR including strengthening linkages between CSE and services, and integration of mental health and menstrual health strategies into ASRHR interventions.
• In collaboration with the M&E Specialist, support reporting and documentation of regional and country-specific best and/or promising practices on matters related to innovation including ASRHR and economic empowerment.
• Represent SYP in unit meetings and document reviews within the East and Southern Africa Regional Office to ensure that ASRHR issues are mainstreamed across thematic areas within the UNFPA Regional Programme.

B.    Support implementation, management, monitoring and reporting of the SYP Programme with a focus on unfinished business of the earlier phases

• Under the guidance of the SYP Coordinator/Youth team lead and in collaboration with the Youth team, support the implementation of the unfinished business as identified in the Theory of Change of the exit phase e.g. integration of ASRHR in economic empowerment, self-care to mention a few.
• Participate and contribute to the SYP and EKN  programme meetings and provide timely high-quality input into annual reports, AWPs and any other required process.
• In collaboration with the Youth team, support youth participation, leadership and accountability initiatives including participation in international, continental and regional conferences as this is a cross-cutting strategy for the whole programme.
• Support the scale-up, implementation, capacity building, technical improvements and sustainability of the SYP tech-based initiatives such as TuneMe Mobisite, TuneMe App and iSay (AI-based solution) in collaboration with the SYP social media and communication analyst and the UNFPA innovations specialist.

C.   General support to the SYP Regional Youth team    

• Participate in resource mobilization and partnership efforts, as required, to further scale up the Safeguard Young People Programme.
• Contribute to relevant research and publications related to adolescents and young people.
• Undertake any other duties as identified by the supervisor.
   

Qualifications and Experience Required: 

Education:  

Advanced University degree in social sciences or related fields with specialized knowledge in the field of Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) 

Knowledge and Experience: 

• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in development and/or humanitarian work on youth issues with experience in youth development. Prior experience in developing countries is an asset. 
• Knowledge and experience of SRHR and/or ASRHR is required.
• Experience in delivering technical assistance to countries is required.
• Proven ability to work well in teams is an asset. 
• Ability to write clearly and concisely is required.  
• Initiative, sound judgment and demonstrated ability to work harmoniously with staff members from different national and cultural backgrounds is an asset.

Languages: 

Fluency in English; knowledge of other official UN languages, preferably Portuguese and/or French, is desirable.