National Consultant: Education Specialist (Adolescent Engagement and Youth Participation)

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About UNICEF

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children's lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence. Ethiopia is situated in the Horn of Africa and is the second most populous country on the continent, with an estimated population of 115 million.

Position Summary

Under the direct supervision of the Education Specialist, the National Consultant will provide technical support, monitoring, coordination, and capacity building for adolescent and youth engagement under the PROSPECT 2.0 program, with a focus on Afar region.

Application Deadline: July 3, 2026 (E. Africa Standard Time)

Work Assignment Overview

| Deliverable | Output | Deadline | Input Days | |---|---|---|---| | Work Plan Technical Support | REB-led work plan developed on time | July 31, 2026 | 10 days | | Youth networks and adolescent advisory groups support | Adolescent participation mainstreamed into education plan | August 28, 2026 | 20 days | | School clubs and youth engagement structures | Established functional youth/adolescent engagement structures and participation platforms | September 20, 2026 | 18 days | | Final Assignment | Comprehensive report summarizing achievements, challenges, and recommendations | October 31, 2026 | 19 days | | Programmatic Visit — August 2026 | Field visit | August 2026 | 4 days | | Programmatic Visit — October 2026 | Field visit | October 2026 | 6 days |

Note: Applications without financial proposals will not be considered.

Key Responsibilities

A. Technical Support

• Under the PROSPECT 2.0 program, supervise meaningful youth engagement by facilitating adolescent participation and organizing volunteer activities aligned with their interests.
• Provide support to UNICEF in conducting consultations with adolescents and young people on different programmatic issues through different instruments (face-to-face and online).
• Provide technical support to the regional education bureau in work planning and implementation of adolescent and youth engagement to ensure adolescent-responsive and gender-sensitive approaches are integrated into programme planning and implementation.
• Initiate and maintain partnerships with youth-led organizations and those targeting adolescents and young people in Afar, with particular focus on organizations working on climate change, education, entrepreneurship, skills development, and mental health.
• Advocate for meaningful participation of adolescents and youth in programme design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation processes.
• Monitor the integration of adolescent-responsive approaches into formal and non-formal education interventions.
• Supervise adolescent leadership, civic engagement, and life skills initiatives.
• Promote inclusive participation of vulnerable and marginalized adolescents, including girls and children with disabilities.

B. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Documentation

• Monitor and report on the use of sectoral programme resources (financial, supply, and other assets), verify compliance with approved allocation, organizational rules, regulations/procedures, and donor commitments.
• Contribute to drafting regular/mandated education programme/project reports for management, donors, and partners.
• Undertake field visits, surveys, seasonal assessments, and support data collection, analysis, and information sharing with stakeholders to assess progress.
• Document lessons learned, success stories, practices, case studies, and learning on adolescent engagement approaches.

C. Coordination and Advocacy

• Support advocacy initiatives promoting adolescent participation and inclusive education.
• Facilitate linkages and engagement between adolescents, schools, communities, and government institutions.
• Contribute to identifying, capturing, producing quarterly education newsletters, and sharing lessons learned for knowledge development and capacity development of stakeholders.
• Participate in emergency and regular education coordination meetings, cluster meetings, technical working groups, and sector forums related to adolescent and youth programming.

D. Capacity Building and Partnership Support

• Strengthen collaboration with youth-led organizations, community groups, and education stakeholders.
• Support government counterparts in mainstreaming youth participation within education sector plans and policies.
• Support the establishment and strengthening of student clubs, youth networks, peer-to-peer initiatives, and adolescent advisory groups.
• Promote adolescent leadership and civic engagement initiatives in schools and communities.
• Strengthen adolescent and youth participation mechanisms within education programmes.

Minimum Requirements

Education

• University degree in Education, Economics, Psychology, Environmental Science, Communications, Marketing, International Relations, International Development, Sociology, or Social Sciences.

Work Experience

• At least five (5) years of progressively advanced work experience in skills development and education sector systems.
• Experience working on related assignments in training, entrepreneurship, skills development, climate change, education, sport, mental health, and civic, social, and economic engagement.

Language Requirements

• Fluency in spoken and written English; working knowledge of the language of the duty station is an advantage.

Skills

• Professionalism, integrity, teamwork, and respect for diversity.
• Commitment to continuous learning.
• Planning and organizing, communication, and flexibility.
• Genuine commitment towards the principles of adolescent engagement and voluntary engagement.
• Knowledge of relevant computer systems and applications; excellent knowledge of MS Office, social media, and others is required.

Desirable

• Demonstrated familiarity with adolescent engagement and youth participation.
• Good interpersonal, networking, and communication skills.
• Flexible and open to learning and new experiences.
• Motivated to contribute towards adolescent and youth empowerment, peace, and development.
• Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings, and humanitarian contexts.

UNICEF Core Competencies

• 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.

General Information

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child and encourages applications from all qualified candidates regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes.

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