Consultant for Adolescents’ Engagement Coordination (National, Belarus) – Req#577618

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential. 

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. 

And we never give up. 

For every child, chance 

Consultancy Title: Consultant for Adolescents’ Engagement Coordination (National, Belarus)

Section/Division/Duty Station: ADAP section, UNICEF Belarus CO

Duration: December 2024 – December 2025 (about 12 months)

Home/ office Based: Remote/Home-based (with visits to the office upon request & needs, Minsk, Belarus CO)

About UNICEF

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world’s leading children’s rights organization would like to hear from you. Over 75 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children’s survival, protection and development. UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and abuse. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations, and governments.

BACKGROUND

Purpose of Activity/ Assignment:

Under the supervision of the YAD and HIV/AIDS Specialist, and Adolescent Development Officer, the consultant will provide support in enhancing meaningful engagement of adolescents in UNICEF programming to make sure the views of adolescents are taken into account in matters affecting them.

Scope of Work:

• facilitate the work of the Adolescent Advisory Group (hereinafter – AAG) and its involvement in UNICEF programming and events, incl. the engagement of adolescents in consultations on the new CPD 2026-2030 development;
• liaise with AAG, other young people and promote the inclusion, diversity and gender lense in the programming and activities development;
• support the capacity development of AAG embracing the universal skills, inclusion, diversity and gender transformative approach in the design,  implementation and M&E of the youth led activities and interventions; support the networking and coordinate the organization of UNICEF and AAG online and offline activities with the involvement of  SDGs Ambassadors and Adolescent/Youth Parliaments/Councils within the CAFC Platform (e.g. development and testing of courses for u-platform.by, advocacy activities on SDGs, climate change advocacy, etc.) wherever relevant;
• liaise and support the STEAM and ecology activists networks, the development and implementation of the youth-led initiatives;
• coordinate the co-creation of content for u-platform together with adolescents and provide feedback to its functioning.

Terms of Reference / Key Deliverables / Delivery Deadline:

Work Assignments Overview	Deliverables/Outputs	Delivery deadline
Facilitate the work and capacity building of the Adolescent Advisory Group (hereinafter – AAG)	Monthly working online/offline meetings with UNICEF sections on current activities with follow up discussion and action plan documentation with AAG (during online working calls) conducted (total of 12 activities).	With the completion of: 4 activities by March, 2025 4 activities by July, 2025 4 activities by November, 2025
	Conducting synchronization online meetings (All-hands) every two weeks to discuss current activities in accordance with the work plan (total of 24 activities).	With the completion of: 4 activities by 30 December  2024; 4 activities by 30 February 2025; 4 activities by 30 April 2025; 4 activities by 30 June 2025; 4 activities by 30 September 2025; 4 activities by 20 November 2025
	Capacity building exercises and joint activities with SDG Youth Ambassadors, AdolescentParliaments, UVs (total of 12).   Topics for training will embrace but not limited to inclusion, diversity and gender lenze in youth programming. The  activities will be developed by AAG and discussed with UNICEF staff for action.	With the completion of: 4 activities by March, 2025 4 activities by July, 2025 4 activities by November, 2025
	Involvement of AAG within the activities and projects of sections supported (total of 12).	With the completion of 4 activities by March, 2025 4 activities by July, 2025 4 activities by November, 2025
	The implementation of the AAG work plan monitored and a monthly report provided to the supervisor (total of 12).	Last working day of each month progress report of AAG work plan activities implementation, lessons learned and recommendation of course correction actions if needed.
	Drafting the AAG working plan. AAG annual report preparation	2 activity per year
Facilitate information sharing and networking with Adolescent Parliaments/Councils	News and announcements shared through a created Telegram chat (total of 36 activities), with review and clearance from UNICEF staff	At least 3 news posts/month With the completion of 6 activities by 30 January 2025; 6 activities by 30 March 2025; 6 activities by 30 May 2025; 6 activities by 30 July 2025; 6 activities by 30 September 2025; 6 activities by 30 November 2025.
	Adolescent Parliaments network coordination and systemization	Updated list of composition of Youth Parliaments is available and updated on quarterly basis 1 activity by March, 2025 1 activity by June, 2025 1 activity by September, 2025 1 activity completed by November, 2025
	Organization of participation of f SDG Youth Ambassadors, Adolescents  Parliaments/Councils in online and offline activities at the request of UNICEF (total of 6 activities)	With the completion of 2 activities by 30 March 2025; 2 activities by 30 July 2025; 2 activities by 30 November 2025;
Facilitate co-creation of contents for  educational and youth-engagement resource u-platform.by and feedback to its functioning	At least 2 announcements/news reports prepared per month and placed at u-platform in collaboration with adolescents (total of 24 activities).	With the completion of 4 activities by 30 December 2024; 4 activities by 30 February 2025; 4 activities by 30 April 2025; 4 activities by 30 June 2025; 4 activities by 30 September 2025; 4 activities by 20 November 2025.
	Feedback to the functioning of the platform, (functionalities, enhancements, etc.) provided. Support on technical issues in connection with T4D Consultant provided (total of 24 activities).	With the completion of 4 activities by 30 December 2024; 4 activities by 30 February 2025; 4 activities by 30 April 2025; 4 activities by 30 June 2025; 4 activities by 30 September 2025; 4 activities by 20 November 2025.
Support joint activities  with SDGs Ambassadors, ecological and STEAM-network	At least 2 activities organized with involvement of SDGs Ambassadors per quarter (total of 8).	With the completion of 2 activities by 30 February 2025; 2 activities by 30 May 2025; 2 activities by 30 August 2025; 2 activities by 30 November 2025.
	At least 1 activity organized with  ecology and STEAM network per 2 months (total of 6).	With the completion of 1 activity by 30 January 2025; 1 activity by 30 March 2025; 1 activity by 30 May 2025; 1 activity by 30 July 2025; 1 activity by 30 September 2025; 1 activity by 30 November 2025.
	Telegram chats with SDGs Ambassadors maintained with timely coordination, information dissemination and feedback (total of 24).	With the completion of 4 activities by 30 December 2024; 4 activities by 30 February 2025; 4 activities by 30 April 2025; 4 activities by 30 June 2025; 4 activities by 30 September 2025; 4 activities by 20 November 2025.
On-demand deliverables	Deliverables produced on an as-needed basis to address specific project requirements.	With the completion of 20 activities by 30 November 2025.

Travel (if required as per TOR):

Based on the scheduled activities (local travels within Belarus)

Qualifications

Education:

• University degree or in the 4th-5th year of university with a focus in International Relations, Public Relations, Social/Human/Language Sciences or other related fields

Work experience/Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

• Fluency in English, Russian and Belarusian is essential, both writing and speaking.
• Ability to express clearly and concisely ideas and concepts in written and oral form and to produce reports in a timely manner.
• Strong commitment and collaboration with peers/adolescents/young people to ensure their meaningful participation and engagement in decision making.
• Experience in coordination of adolescent’s groups/activities in the development and implementation of the socially oriented initiatives/projects.
• Ability to work independently as well as with a team in an international, multicultural and interdisciplinary environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships both within and outside the organization.
• Experience with UNICEF activities (e.g. UPSHIFT, CAFC, UNICEF volunteer) will be an asset.
• At least 1 year of experience of working with volunteers or serving as a volunteer

Competencies:

• Accountable
• Has a sense of purpose
• Displays proper ethical behavior
• Results-oriented
• Attentive to details

Requirements:

Completed profile in UNICEF’s e-Recruitment system and

• Interested consultants should provide a letter of interest (Cover Letter) describing how they can contribute to the interventions listed under roles and responsibilities and why they should be selected for this position. In addition, they should share their latest CV/Resume and financial proposal Financial Offer template_AE Consultant.docx to undertake this job.
• Samples of the related job/tasks done/portfolio.
• Upload copy of academic credentials
• Financial proposal: all-inclusive lump-sum cost (including travel and accommodation cost for this assignment as per work assignment) that will include/ reflect:
  • the costs per each deliverable and the total lump-sum for the whole assignment (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference.
  • travel costs and daily subsistence allowance, if internationally recruited or travel is required as per TOR.
  • Any other estimated costs: visa, health insurance, and living costs as applicable.
  • Indicate your availability
• Any emergent / unforeseen duty travel and related expenses will be covered by UNICEF.
• At the time the contract is awarded, the selected candidate must have in place current health insurance coverage.
• Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed satisfactory deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).  

To view our competency framework, please visit  here. 

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility jobs-near-me.org UNICEF.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

Remarks:  

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. 

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.